SB 41 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

TURQUOISE ALERT SYSTEM

SB 41 creates a "Turquoise Alert System" to rapidly share information about missing enrolled members or eligible members of federally recognized American Indian tribes, pueblos, or nations in New Mexico. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a plan for issuing these alerts, including notifying law enforcement, media, and cellular providers through existing emergency alert systems. It mandates specific record-keeping for each alert, tracking details like the person's age, gender, and recovery date. This system directly affects tribal communities and law enforcement agencies responsible for implementing the alerts, while distinguishing this category from existing "Silver" (elderly/dementia) or "Brittany" (developmental disability) alerts.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed Apr 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends New Mexico's Missing Persons Information and Reporting Act to create a new 'Turquoise Alert System' specifically for missing American Indians. It adds new definitions for 'turquoise alert' and establishes a formal advisory process requiring the Department of Public Safety to issue alerts when a missing person meets specific criteria. The changes expand protections for Indigenous individuals by creating a dedicated alert system tailored to their unique circumstances.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of missing persons alerts to include a specific category for American Indians, creating a new alert system alongside existing Silver and Brittany alerts.

DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'turquoise alert' covering missing enrolled members or eligible individuals who are missing due to involuntary/unexplained circumstances or at risk due to safety/health concerns.

Modified existing definitions to reorganize and clarify categories of endangered persons, including developmental disabilities and brain disorders.

REQUIREMENT

Created new Section 29-15-3.5 requiring the Department of Public Safety to issue turquoise alerts after review and investigation determines a missing person qualifies.

Mandated development of a turquoise alert plan by the Department of Public Safety to rapidly disseminate information about missing American Indians.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 1, 2025 · House Mar 19, 2025

How they voted

38–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

Mar 1, 2025

D Democratic24

23 Yea 1

95% Yea

R Republican16

15 Yea 1

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 8, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 20, 2025

Executive · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments

executive

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Introduced

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

lower

Mar 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Feb 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION committee report adopted

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee & Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors