Legislation extends the statute of limitation for childhood sexual abuse, and clarifies non-consensual contact in state law

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed two key bills to protect and support survivors of sexual abuse in New Mexico.

House Bill 73 would extend the statute of limitations for civil action in child sexual abuse cases. The bill would allow legal action against an abuser up until the survivor's 58th birthday. This change brings New Mexico's laws more in line with the latest research, which indicates that most childhood abuse survivors take many decades to process their trauma, let alone disclose their abuse or pursue remedies.

"When children are hurt, they deserve justice and they should be given ample time to process their trauma and pursue that justice," said Rep. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque). "This bill not only supports survivors in coming forward, but will help prevent more children from being harmed."

This bill has 19 sponsors, led by Reps. Anaya, Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque), Nicole Chavez (R-Albuquerque), E. Diane Torres-Velásquez (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque).

House Bill 87 would clarify definitions for non-consensual contact in state law and bring New Mexico's standards in-line with national norms.

"This important legislation updates state law to ensure abusers can be held accountable for all forms of inappropriate physical contact," said the bill's lead sponsor House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque).

This session, House and Senate Democrats are working together to improve community safety, enhance victim services, and make record investments in behavioral health and substance use treatment programs to give New Mexicans the help they need when they need it.

A robust public safety package, House Bill 8, and bills to expand and transform access to behavioral healthcare across the state Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 3, have already been signed into New Mexico law.

The House has also passed House Bill 255, which would expand programs for at-risk youth and enhance accountability for certain juvenile offenders to better prevent and address juvenile crime, and House Bill 12 to make it easier for law enforcement to use the state's red flag law to temporarily remove firearms from people who may be a danger to themselves or others.

This year's budget also includes:

$500 thousand for crime victim reparations
$2 million to support victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence
$10 million to build the capacity of local law enforcement agencies
$4 million to law enforcement recruitment and retention
Significant funding for state police raises, vehicles, equipment, and repairs

Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.