Los Alamos Reporter

House Passes Legislation To Increase Support For Law Enforcement And Victims Of Crime

HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE

Today, the House of Representatives passed two critical pieces of legislation to grow the state’s public safety workforce and expand support for victims of crime. 

House Bill 255, which passed the House unanimously, would merge existing workforce funds for various law enforcement into a single Public Safety Workforce Building Program. The program would fund initiatives to recruit, retain, and train public safety staff, including police, firefighters, corrections and detention officers, and district attorneys and public defenders. 

“House Democrats are committed to making sure that our law enforcement and public safety officials have everything they need to keep our communities safe,” said HB 255 lead sponsor Rep. Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque). “This fund will help dollars flow to local agencies more quickly and efficiently, so we can direct money to the areas of greatest need and make sure our law enforcement has the staff and training needed to do their important work.” 

Local law enforcement agencies across the state have advocated for HB 255. Additional bill sponsors include Reps. Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque), Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces) and D. Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock) and Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad).

The House also passed House Bill 206 this afternoon unanimously. This bipartisan legislation expands the state’s Crime Victims Reparation Commission, which provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime to help cover the expenses incurred as a result of being victimized, such as medical care, therapy, funeral expenses, and loss of wages. HB 206 would extend eligibility to victims of assault and battery, criminal sexual contact involving adult victims, and robbery committed while armed with a deadly weapon. 

HB 206 is sponsored by Reps. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), Nicole Chavez (R-Albuquerque), and Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis). 

Both bills now head to the Senate for consideration. 

House Democrats introduced a broad package of legislation and investments this session to ensure all New Mexicans feel safe in their communities. A non-comprehensive list of these legislative priorities is below. 

The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year’s 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.   

Select Community Safety Priorities 

A non-comprehensive list of community safety investments and legislation introduced by House Democrats this session includes: 

  • Continuing investments in law enforcement and our communities to address root causes of crime (HB 2)*
  • Investing in evidence-based diversion programs at CYFD, to help prevent at-risk youth from becoming involved in crime and lead those with minor offenses down a better path (HB 2)*
  • Allocating $2 million for crime-reduction grants through the New Mexico Sentencing Commission (HB 2)*
  • Appropriating $2 million for intelligence-led policing (HB 2)*
  • Directing $1.25 million to the Organized Crime Commission (HB 2)*
  • Making dedicated investments in our justice system, including additional funding to support District Attorneys statewide, expand Juvenile and Teen Drug Court and add a family court judge in New Mexico’s Second Judicial District (HB 2)*
  • Improving the courts’ ability to proactively intervene if a person suffering from serious mental health issues poses a threat of harm to themself or others (SB 3)*
  • Preventing the state from contracting with private ICE detention facilities to detain innocent immigrants, through the Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9)* 
  • Ensuring routine state surveillance data cannot be misused by ICE (SB 40, SB 53)
  • Addressing juvenile justice proactively, with age-appropriate accountability measures and improved services for at-risk youth (HB 5)
  • Implementing commonsense gun safety solutions, like closing loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to have access to firearms (SB17, HB 49*)
  • Creating a Public Safety Workforce Building Program to help recruit, retain, and train public safety staff, including police, firefighters, corrections and detention officers, and district attorneys and public defenders (HB 255)*
  • Supporting victims of crime by expanding eligibility for financial assistance through the state’s Crime Victims Reparations Commission (HB 206)* 

*Indicates legislation has passed House