NON-CONSENSUAL TOUCHING CLARIFICATION

HB 87 clarifies New Mexico's criminal sexual contact law by removing the requirement that non-consensual touching must involve "unclothed intimate parts." The bill amends the statute to define criminal sexual contact as intentional touching of "intimate parts" (including genital area, groin, buttocks, anus, or breast) without consent, regardless of clothing. This change directly affects victims of sexual assault and law enforcement by making it easier to prosecute cases involving non-consensual touching of covered intimate areas, while maintaining existing definitions and exceptions for psychotherapy. The bill passed the House and moved to the Senate before being postponed.