House Passes Key Community & Child Safety Legislation with Strong Bipartisan Support
Public priority safety bills to prevent retail crime and protect young crime victims will now advance to Senate
Santa Fe, NM - Key community and child safety bills passed the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support tonight. These bills would crack down on organized retail crime and protect children who are victims of crime from retraumatization by our justice system.
House Bill 234, which passed with a bipartisan vote of 62-3, would support local business and enhance public safety by targeting retail crime. By stiffening penalties for those participating in or enabling organized retail theft, the bill would cut down on the demand for stolen goods and help law enforcement take down organized theft rings.
To help protect the safety of retail workers and shoppers, the bill also elevates shoplifting to a third-degree felony if the individual assaults or strikes at another person with a deadly weapon while shoplifting or trying to avoid apprehension.
“Retail crime is becoming increasingly rampant and poses a serious threat, not only to our local businesses, but to the safety of New Mexicans,” said Representative Marian Matthews (D-Albuquerque). “By cracking down on organized retail crime rings, we can send a clear message that these dangerous and costly crimes have no place in our state.”
HB 234 is sponsored by Rep. Matthews, Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque), and Senator Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque).
House Bill 173 also passed the House tonight with a bipartisan 63-3 vote. This bill would allow for the use of forensic interviews in certain circumstances so that trained professionals can gather factual information from victims to help determine what may or may not have occurred, in a manner that is both legally defensible and developmentally appropriate. This methodology, which is used in other states, prevents retraumatization of young victims from recounting their experiences in repeated interviews.
“The justice system should always serve the best interest of children, especially when they’ve been the victim of a crime,” said lead sponsor Representative Tara Jaramillo (D-Socorro). “House Bill 173 will make sure law enforcement has the tools they need to investigate serious crimes, while ensuring that our children are supported and protected from unnecessary trauma within our criminal justice system.”
HB 173 is also sponsored by Reps. Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque), Jason Harper (R-Rio Rancho), and Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis).
Both HB 234 and HB 173, which are part of the House Democrats’ comprehensive slate of legislation to improve community and child safety across New Mexico, will now head to the Senate.
The Roundhouse is open to the public for the 2023 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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