Enchantment State News

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed several significant bills aimed at enhancing public safety and behavioral health services in New Mexico. This legislative action, marking the midpoint of the 60-day session, is considered a landmark achievement for the state.

“These bills represent a significant milestone for both behavioral health services and criminal justice reform in New Mexico,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham during a signing ceremony attended by lawmakers and community members. She emphasized the importance of addressing crime's root causes while maintaining accountability.

The new laws emerged from collaboration among government branches, law enforcement, and community advocates. House Bill 8, a comprehensive public safety package sponsored by Reps. Christine Chandler, Joy Garratt, Cynthia Borrego, Kathleen Cates, and Charlotte Little, addresses various concerns including criminal competency reform, weapon conversion devices possession, shooting threats penalties, fentanyl trafficking penalties, auto theft penalties, and DWI blood testing.

Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives Javier Martínez stated: “We made a promise to New Mexicans that we would come into this session ready to move efficiently on meaningful legislation to improve public safety and behavioral healthcare throughout our state.”

Rep. Christine Chandler noted that House Bill 8 was developed through an open legislative process involving input from various stakeholders.

Gov. Lujan Grisham called for further legislative action on public safety issues before the session ends. “I urge New Mexicans to contact their legislators and ask them to send additional public safety bills—including measures addressing felons with firearms, pretrial detention reform, and juvenile code amendments—to my desk before they adjourn.”

District Attorney Sam Bregman highlighted ongoing challenges within the juvenile justice system: “Our juvenile justice system is broken... The single most effective step to reduce violent crime in our community is modernizing our juvenile justice system with meaningful consequences alongside behavioral health support.”

Additionally, two major behavioral health bills were signed:

Senate Bill 1 establishes a Behavioral Health Trust Fund for sustainable financing of mental health programs statewide. Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics expressed optimism about securing future resources: “By setting aside a substantial amount of funding now... establishing a sustainable financial foundation to pay for essential behavioral health services for years to come.”

Senate Bill 3 creates an executive committee to coordinate statewide behavioral health reforms with oversight mechanisms in place. Sen. Peter Wirth stressed the need for careful investment: “Rebuilding our behavioral health system is also a key component of the public safety package since we will never incarcerate our way out of the addiction crisis facing New Mexico.”