New Mexico lawmakers are making strides in health care and road improvements, but juvenile justice reform remains stalled.
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico lawmakers are making strides in health care and road improvements, but juvenile justice reform remains stalled.
On Tuesday, dozens of New Mexico parents gathered at the Roundhouse, united by shared tragedies. They attended a memorial event for homicide victims, seeking action on juvenile crime issues.
“It’s hard to be here. It’s hard to stand up and be the voice. But if you’re not their voice, then who’s going to be?” said Sally Sanchez from New Mexico Crusaders for Justice.
Rep. Nicole Chavez of Albuquerque shared her personal loss, saying, “Like so many of you, I’ve had to bury my son. And burying a child is something I wouldn’t ask my worst enemy for.”
Juvenile crime reform
A bipartisan bill expanding background checks for juvenile gun crimes was debated by a House committee.
“We’re trying to give them a chance to be able to make different decisions,” said state Rep. Kathleen Cates of Corrales.
The bill aims to prevent adults with juvenile gun crime records from buying guns for 10 years after the crime.
“The goal of this legislation is to identify the highest risk behaviors, intervene with them early enough so they don’t become those young adults, those 18 and 19 year olds suffering those extremely horrible outcomes within our communities associated with subsequent violent crime as an adult,” said Ben Baker, a public safety policy advisor.
However, the committee decided to roll the bill back to square one, along with other juvenile crime-focused bills.
Senate bill updates
The governor’s office supports a bipartisan Senate bill updating the state’s juvenile code. It proposes expanding the list of crimes where teens can be charged as adults, extending sentences, and emphasizing risk reduction programs.
“It’s not just enforcement, it’s not just incarceration, it’s not just an increase in punishment. It’s not just treatment; it’s all of the things all the time,” said Baker.
The bill is still in early stages, and a new prevention-focused bill from House Democrats is yet to be introduced.
“The bill that we passed last year, I believe, really got to the crux of the problem of juvenile crime. We are going to bring an iteration of that bill back,” said Speaker of the House Javier Martinez.
Wednesday, Feb. 3 is the last day for lawmakers to introduce bills, but there are ways to extend the deadline. The state budget proposal includes new investments in juvenile crime-focused initiatives, with more details expected soon.
