Maddy summarySB 236 removes government immunity for negligence claims against the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) when a child in its custody is abused or neglected due to CYFD staff errors. It directly affects children who were removed from their homes by CYFD because of parental abuse or neglect and are later harmed by CYFD staff negligence while under the department's care. The bill amends New Mexico's Tort Claims Act to create a specific exception, stating CYFD employees cannot claim immunity for such negligence while acting within their duties. This applies only to cases where the child was placed in CYFD custody following parental abuse/neglect, not to intentional misconduct. The change ensures CYFD can be held accountable for negligence in these specific custody situations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 245 creates a new criminal offense for adults (18+) who intentionally expose their genital area in a sexual way to a child (under 18) in a private setting, not visible to the public. This act would be classified as a fourth-degree felony, carrying significant penalties. The bill specifically defines "child" as under 18 and "primary genital area" to include the penis, testicles, vulva, or vagina. It directly targets individuals who commit this act in nonpublic locations, such as private homes or secluded areas. The law aims to strengthen protections for children against sexual exposure in private settings.
Maddy summarySB 232 establishes a clear process for courts to determine if a child (under 18) in legal proceedings has the competency to understand and participate in their case. The bill requires courts to order an independent evaluation by a court-recognized child psychologist when a compelling reason exists - excluding age alone - and presumes children are competent as defendants. The evaluation must assess four specific factors: the child's ability to understand relevant information, appreciate consequences of choices, reason about options, and express their choice clearly. This bill directly affects children involved in court cases, particularly as defendants, by ensuring their competency is evaluated through standardized, expert assessments rather than assumptions.
Maddy summarySJM 3 requests the New Mexico Department of Transportation and Public Safety to create a program designating specific highway segments as memorial corridors honoring state police officers killed in the line of duty. The first designation would honor Officer Darian Jarrott on Interstate 10 in Luna County, with signs bearing the officer's name, rank, and the phrase "In honor of [rank] [full name], New Mexico State Police - Killed in the Line of Duty." The bill directs the departments to use available funds (including private donations) for sign installation and maintenance, and to maintain an online registry of fallen officers with their names, dates of death, and corresponding highway segments. This resolution is procedural and does not create new law, instead directing state agencies to implement the memorial program.
Maddy summarySB 259 creates two new offenses in New Mexico: threatening law enforcement officers or their immediate family members, and maliciously sharing their personal information. The threatening offense (a fourth-degree felony) applies when someone intends to cause fear of serious harm, disrupt an officer’s duties, or retaliate for official work. The personal information offense (a misdemeanor) covers sharing addresses, phone numbers, or locations with the intent to cause harm or fear. It directly affects law enforcement officers (including local, state, federal, and tribal officers) and their immediate family members - defined broadly to include spouses, children, parents, and extended family like step- or adoptive relatives. The bill aims to protect officers and their families from targeted threats and privacy violations by establishing specific legal penalties.
Maddy summarySB 237 creates a specialized Critical Incident Investigation Team within New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to handle serious safety threats to children in care. The team will investigate reports of "critical incidents" (such as abuse or neglect) occurring at child care facilities or programs, requiring CYFD to report these cases to the Office of Child Advocate. The bill establishes new procedures for these investigations, including specialized units and mandatory rules, to ensure timely and thorough reviews of incidents endangering children’s safety. It directly affects children in CYFD custody, child care facilities, and CYFD staff responsible for these investigations.
Maddy summarySB 23 requires all New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy prohibiting student use of phones, tablets, and other wireless devices during the school day, with specific exceptions. These exceptions include using devices for educational purposes with teacher permission, managing health emergencies, or for accessibility tools like text-to-speech software required by a student’s individualized education plan. The bill also creates a $1 million annual grant program through the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund to support schools implementing this policy, allowing them to apply for funding to upgrade technology infrastructure. The policy must be published online by each school district and includes procedures for handling device confiscation during violations. This directly affects all public school students and staff in New Mexico’s 33 school districts.
Maddy summaryHB 299 appropriates $350 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for the second phase of expanding U.S. Highway 180. The funding will cover rights-of-way acquisition, planning, design, and construction to widen the highway from two to four lanes between Bayard and Deming during fiscal years 2026-2029, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2029. This bill directly affects drivers traveling between Bayard and Deming, as well as the state transportation agency responsible for implementing the project. The project is specifically identified as infrastructure project 1101841.
Maddy summarySB 67 establishes "the best interests of the child" as the primary and controlling standard for all judicial decisions and actions by the Children, Youth and Families Department in abuse and neglect cases. It amends the Children's Code to prioritize child safety above all else, requires courts to ensure guardians ad litem and child attorneys zealously represent the child's interests, and mandates written findings for all decisions. The bill clarifies definitions like "aggravated circumstances" (including severe abuse or criminal convictions involving children) and "aggravated physical neglect" to guide case determinations. This legislation directly affects children in abuse/neglect cases, courts, child welfare professionals, and legal representatives in New Mexico.
Maddy summarySB 86 updates New Mexico's harassment law to include digital communications like social media posts, texts, and emails, replacing outdated "telephone" references. It makes it illegal to use these platforms with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, or annoy others through obscene language, threats, or repeated anonymous messages. The law defines "electronic communication" to cover all major digital channels and maintains existing penalties: misdemeanor for first offenses, felony for repeat violations. This directly affects individuals using digital tools to harass others in New Mexico.