SB 36 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION NONDISCLOSURE

SB 36 prohibits state agency employees from disclosing certain sensitive personal information, including public assistance status, medical conditions, immigration status, sexual orientation, and social security numbers, except in specific circumstances like court orders or with written consent. It directly affects state employees handling such data and amends the Motor Vehicle Code to protect driver's license and vehicle registration details from unauthorized disclosure. Key provisions require written consent for sharing, limit disclosures to necessary agency functions or legal requirements, and impose civil penalties of $250 per violation (up to $5,000 total). The law takes effect July 1, 2025, strengthening privacy protections for New Mexico residents' personal data held by state agencies.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Signed Apr 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new law prohibiting state agency employees from disclosing sensitive personal information, with specific exceptions for legal proceedings, government functions, and written consent. It also amends existing motor vehicle privacy laws to allow broader sharing of driver records with insurers, employers, and other entities for fraud prevention and safety purposes.

Scope change

The bill expands privacy protections for state employees handling sensitive personal information while simultaneously creating new exceptions that allow sharing of motor vehicle records with a wider range of entities including insurers, employers, and financial institutions.

DEFINITION

New definition of 'sensitive personal information' covering public assistance recipients, crime victims, and individuals with protected characteristics like sexual orientation, disability, and immigration status.

REQUIREMENT

New restrictions on state agency employees prohibiting intentional disclosure of sensitive personal information outside the state agency.

Modified motor vehicle record confidentiality to allow broader access for vehicle safety, emissions monitoring, market research, and insurance purposes.

EXCEPTIONS

Multiple exceptions allowing disclosure including court orders, public records requests, federal statutes, state contractors, whistleblower protections, and written consent.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded motor vehicle record sharing exceptions to include insurers, employers, financial institutions, and other entities for fraud prevention, safety monitoring, and claims investigation.

ENFORCEMENT

Civil penalties of $250 per violation up to $5,000 for violations of the new nondisclosure provisions.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 20, 2025 · House Mar 18, 2025

How they voted

24–14

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

Feb 20, 2025

D Democratic24

24 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican16

14 Nay 2

87% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 11, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee & House Judiciary Committee

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors