Rep. Scott introduces bill in New Mexico Sen. to increase penalties for school-related assaults

The new bill authored by State Rep. Larry R. Scott in the New Mexico Sen. aims to increase criminal penalties for assaults and batteries involving public school employees and individuals on campus, according to the New Mexico General Assembly.

The bill, introduced as SB 311 during the 57th general assembly on Wednesday, Feb. 4, was formally listed with the short title: ’Crimes Against School Employees’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill increases criminal penalties for assault, aggravated assault, battery and aggravated battery against public school employees acting in the course of their duties, elevating those offenses to third, fourth and second degree felonies depending on injury, use of a deadly weapon or assisting others. The bill creates new crimes of assault, aggravated assault, battery and aggravated battery committed on a school campus against any person, with felony penalties ranging from fourth to second degree based on severity of harm. It also amends the Delinquency Act so that youths ages 15 to 18 charged with specified assault or battery offenses on a school campus may be classified as serious youthful offenders subject to adult criminal jurisdiction.

Larry R. Scott, a ranking member of the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee, proposed another eight bills during the 57th general assembly. He is also a member of the Senate Conservation Committee, a member of the Water & Natural Resources Committee, a member of the Legislative Health & Human Services Committee, an advisory member of the Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee, and an advisory member of the Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee.

In New Mexico, the legislative process involves multiple steps: a bill is introduced in either the House or Senate, assigned to a committee for review, debated and voted on in both chambers, and, if approved, sent to the governor for signature or veto. The Legislature meets annually, commencing on the third Tuesday in January, with 60-day sessions in odd-numbered years and 30-day sessions in even-numbered years. While numerous bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully navigate the process to become law. You can read more about bills and other measures here.