SM 14 New Mexico Senate · 2026 Regular Session

ADDRESS FORCED STERILIZATION POLICY

Senate Memorial 14 (SM 14) is a non-binding resolution requesting New Mexico's Indian Affairs Department and Commission on the Status of Women to study the historical forced or coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and women of color in the state. The study will identify past cases, gather survivor testimony using culturally safe methods, assess current reproductive healthcare access, and recommend actions to address harm. It aims to inform a state truth and reconciliation commission, a public memorial, and a Native American-led reproductive justice program, culminating in a 2027 report to the legislature. The resolution focuses on documenting historical violations and planning healing measures, not implementing new laws.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Feb 2026

Introduced Jan 29, 2026 Signed Feb 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten from a simple memorial requesting a study into forced sterilization into a comprehensive resolution with detailed study requirements and specific deliverables. The final version adds a state Truth and Reconciliation Commission proposal, specifies trauma-informed protocols for survivor testimony, sets a December 31, 2027 deadline for findings, and proposes a Native American-led reproductive justice program. This matters because it transforms the bill from a general request into actionable policy with concrete accountability measures.

Scope change

Expanded from a general memorial requesting a study to a detailed resolution with specific study requirements, a mandated Truth and Reconciliation Commission proposal, and a Native American-led reproductive justice program recommendation.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific study requirements including identification of all known cases, gathering survivor testimony using trauma-informed protocols, assessing current reproductive health service accessibility, and reviewing educational and policy measures.

Added requirement to seek advice from victims, family members, historians, and practitioners using trauma-informed and culturally sensitive protocols.

Added proposal for establishing a New Mexico Truth and Reconciliation Commission specifically addressing forced sterilization of Indigenous women and women of color.

Added proposal for creating a statewide Native American-led reproductive justice and reproductive sovereignty program focused on culturally grounded health, education and healing services.

Added reference to Dr. Albert K. Barume's commitment to visit New Mexico and hold an international press conference, positioning the state as a focal point for global truth and healing.

TIMELINE

Set a specific deadline of December 31, 2027 for the department and commission to present findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature.

SCOPE

Expanded the bill's title and purpose to explicitly include 'State Acknowledgment of the Inhumanity of the Grievous Policy' and to lay groundwork for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

DEFINITION

Added specific language recognizing forced sterilization as a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026

How they voted

35–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 38

Feb 14, 2026

D Democratic22

20 Yea 2

90% 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

Feb 16, 2026

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Feb 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Introduced

Sent to Senate Rules Committee & Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors