House Democrats Move Forward Public Safety Package
Legislation would prevent gun violence and reduce recidivism by helping people involved in the criminal justice system access behavioral healthcare
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House Judiciary Committee (HJC) heard two of House Democrats’ key public safety proposals, which will now be considered for inclusion in an integrated crime package.
House Bill 4: Criminal Competency and Treatment would expand options for how our criminal justice system assists individuals suffering from serious mental or behavioral health issues by creating more pathways to get them appropriate levels of treatment. Currently, when someone is deemed not competent to stand trial, their cases are often dismissed. Many of these individuals do not receive any treatment and may re-offend and end up back in the criminal justice system.
“We spent hundreds of hours gathering input from a variety of experts and stakeholders including law enforcement, district attorneys, judges, public defenders, and community leaders,” said lead sponsor Representative Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos). “These conversations helped us develop a well-vetted, balanced approach that will help make our communities safer while connecting individuals with the appropriate levels of care.”
HB 4 would expand the court system’s ability to send people who are deemed not competent to stand trial and found to be a danger to themselves or others to involuntary inpatient treatment, also known as criminal commitment. The bill also would create more options for those deemed not competent but not dangerous to get the help they need by referring them to assisted outpatient treatment programs.
HB 4 is paired with significant investments in New Mexico’s behavioral health system to ensure the state has the capacity to provide the treatment people need and better address the underlying issues that contribute to crime in our communities. The bill is also sponsored by Reps. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque), Andrea Reeb (R-Albuquerque), and Senators Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) and Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces).
The committee also heard House Bill 38, which is sponsored by Reps. Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho), Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque), and Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), would prohibit possession of a device designed to convert a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon.
This session, House and Senate Democrats are working together on a robust slate of legislation to improve community safety by reducing gun violence, deterring violent crime, and making record investments in behavioral health and substance use treatment programs to give New Mexicans the help they need when they need it. These proposals include a $200 million down payment to expand the state’s behavioral healthcare capacity.
Key public safety heard today for inclusion in an integrated package include:
House Bill 38: Possession of Weapon Conversion Device
House Bill 4: Criminal Competency and Treatment
Public safety bills headed to the House Floor:
House Bill 12: Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Changes
Bills on the docket for HJC that may also be considered for the public safety package:
House Bill 31: Fourth-Degree Felony for Shooting Threat
House Bill 50: Penalties for Vehicle Thefts
House Bill 16: Fentanyl Trafficking Sentences
House Bill 86: Human Trafficking Changes
House Bill 73: Childhood Sexual Abuse Statute Of Limitations
The Roundhouse is open to the public for the 2025 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.
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