2021 Legislative Session

The 2021 legislative session in New Mexico ends on March 20 at noon. Until then, bookmark this page for the latest news on the bills that will protect the rights of New Mexicans.

• The New Mexico Civil Rights Act (HB 4): A bill to create a legal remedy for New Mexicans to bring claims for damages in state court against public officials who violate their rights.
• Statewide Use of Force Standard (SB 227): New Mexico had the highest rate of police killings in the country in 2020. There is no reason we should be number one for another year.
• Respect New Mexico Women and Families Act (SB 10): A bill to remove an outdated abortion ban from 1969 off of New Mexico's books.
• Non-Disclosure of Private Sensitive Information (SB 75): This act would create a standard non-disclosure policy for private, sensitive information across all state agencies.
• Free to Drive Act (SB 7): Today, thousands of safe drivers across New Mexico cannot legally drive solely because they are trapped in a cycle of debt. It's time to restore the freedom to drive.

Visit our legislation page for a complete list of legislation we're working on this session.

Last night, Cannabis Legalization (HB 12) passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill next moves to the full Senate for a vote.

Victory! Last night the New Mexico Senate passed HB 4, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, by a 26-15 vote.

Earlier this afternoon, HB 4 was given final approval by the House and it is now heading to the Governor’s desk for her signature.

The countdown is on to the end of the 2021 legislative session, which ends on Saturday at noon. Two ACLU of New Mexico priority bills continued to move through the legislative process over the last day:

• HB 47, Aid in Dying, passed the New Mexico Senate. This bill now moves back to the House of Representatives for final approval before it would then go to the Governor’s desk for her signature.
• SB 247, the Second Chance Bill, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and now heads to the full House floor for a vote.

Victory! This weekend two ACLU of New Mexico priority bills were sent to the governor’s desk for her signature:

• HB 183, the elimination of fines and fees for juveniles, passed the Senate unanimously.
• The New Mexico House of Representatives passed SB 75, the Non-Disclosure of Private Sensitive Information Act, by a 45-18 vote. This bill protects the private information of New Mexicans, including immigration status, when they interact with state agencies.
• Additionally, the Free to Drive Act (SB 7) passed its final committee, the House Judiciary Committee, and now heads to the full House for a vote.

The 2021 legislative session ends this Saturday at noon.

We’ve seen several bills that we’re working to pass on the move:

• SB 181, a bill to reform the usage of fines and fees in our criminal legal system passed the House Judiciary Committee.
• SB 247, the Second Chance Bill, just passed out of the senate by a 28-11 vote. This bill now moves to the House of Representatives.
• The New Mexico Civil Rights Act, HB4, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

We’re now just over one week out from the end of the 2021 legislative session. Now is the time to urge lawmakers to finish the job to protect civil rights and liberties in New Mexico.

Send your state senator a message, telling them to pass HB 4, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act.

A couple ACLU of NM priority bills have had votes recently.

• SB 247, the Second Chance Bill, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and now heads to the full Senate floor for debate.
• SB 80, the CROWN Act, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill next heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

The 2021 legislative session ends on March 20 at noon. This is the final push for many of the bills we’re attempting to pass this session. Be sure to check our social media feeds daily for information on how you can help us get bills over the finish line.

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Two bills we are supporting have been on the move in the past 24 hours.

• SB 7, the Driver’s License Suspensions Act, passed through its final committee in the Senate yesterday. This bill now heads to the Senate Floor for debate. If SB 7 passes on the Senate floor it will next head to the House for consideration.
• HB 352, the Private Detention Facilities Moratorium Act, passed its first committee in the House. This bill has one more committee hearing in the House up next.

A couple of ACLU of NM priority bills were on the move yesterday.

• The Non-Disclosure of Private Sensitive Information Act, SB 75, passed the Senate floor by a 34-6 vote yesterday! Next up this bill moves to the House of Representatives.
• HB 47, the End of Life Options Act, passed out of the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee yesterday. Next up, this bill goes to its final committee in the Senate.

Additionally, we launched an action to thank lawmakers for protecting abortion rights in New Mexico. Add your own thank you here.

Victory! Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham just signed SB 10 into law! This bill removes New Mexico’s antiquated abortion ban, eliminating any possibility it could ever be enforced.

The New Mexico Civil Rights Act (HB 4) was passed by the Senate Health and Public Affaris Committee (SHPAC)! The bill now heads to Senate Judiciary.

Yesterday the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee passed SB 227. Next, this bills heads to Senate Judiciary.

Both of the Non-Disclosure of Private Sensitive Information bills (HB 124 and SB75) passed their respective judiciary committees late yesterday! Next stop is a floor vote.

Yesterday, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act (HB 4) was passed by the House of Representatives. It is now waiting to be introduced by the Senate.

Today, the bill to remove New Mexico’s outdated 1969 abortion ban, was passed by the House Judiciary Committee and will now head to the House of Representatives chamber floor for a full debate

Today, the bill to remove New Mexico’s outdated 1969 abortion ban, was passed by Senate. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.

Yesterday, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act (HB 4) passed through the House Judiciary Committee. Next up for the New Mexico Civil Rights Act is a full floor debate and vote in the New Mexico House of Representatives.

New Mexico laws are currently too narrow to allow individuals to successfully sue police and other public officials for state constitutional violations. The New Mexico Civil Rights Act creates a legal remedy for New Mexicans to bring claims for damages in state court against police officers and other public officials who violate the rights guaranteed to them under the New Mexico Constitution.

Several ACLU-NM priority bills have been on the move in the past few days.

• The bill to remove New Mexico’s outdated 1969 abortion ban, SB 10, passed out of its final Senate committee. This bill is heading to the Senate floor for debate next.
• The bill to restore voting rights to those with felony convictions, HB 74, passed out of its final committee in the House. This bill next moves onto the House floor for debate.
• The CROWN Act, HB 29, passed through its final committee in the New Mexico House of Representatives and now moves to the house floor for debate.

Yesterday, alongside Senator Linda Lopez, we unveiled a groundbreaking bill that would establish a statewide use of force standard for police in New Mexico (SB 227). This law would eliminate the patchwork of failed use of force policies that has caused New Mexico to lead the nation in rates of police killings.

The law establishes clear guidelines for use of force as a last resort as well as bans certain dangerous holds, weapons and tactics. Importantly, it also requires crucial accountability and transparency mechanisms across all departments. You can see more on yesterday's big announcement in our press release.

Elsewhere yesterday, the Non-Disclosure of Private Sensitive Information Act (HB 124) passed through its final committee in the House and next heads to the floor for debate and a vote.

Three bills saw movement today in the 2021 legislative session:

• HB 7, the bill to remove New Mexico’s antiquated 1969 abortion ban passed through its final committee in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Next up for the New Mexico Women and Families Act is a debate on the House floor.
• The CROWN Act passed unanimously through its final committee hearing in the Senate and now moves to the floor for a full debate.
• The Driver’s License Suspensions Act (SB 7) passed through its final committee hearing in the Senate as well today and will also move to the floor for a full debate.

Three ACLU of New Mexico priority bills have passed through committee hearings during the last 24 hours:

• A bill to limit the use of for-profit prisons in New Mexico (HB 40) passed its first committee hearing today.
• Two criminal justice bills also passed out of their first committees late yesterday: a bill to limit the practice of suspension of driver's licenses in New Mexico (SB 7) and a bill to require a racial impact statement be included with certain new pieces of legislation (SB 81).

All three bills will next move to their second committee hearings in their respective chambers.

Today, four ACLU of New Mexico priority bills were heard in committee.

• The CROWN Act (HB 29) passed through its first committee in the New Mexico House by a unanimous vote.
• A bill to protect the voting rights of those with felony convictions (HB 74) passed its first committee hearing as well in the New Mexico House.
• A bill to remove New Mexico’s antiquated 1969 abortion ban (HB 10) also passed its first committee hearing in the House.
• Non-disclosure of private sensitive information (SB 75) passed its first committee in the Senate.

All three bills now head to their second committee hearings in the New Mexico House of Representatives.

Yesterday, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act (HB 4) and the Respect NM Women and Families Act (SB 10) were heard in committee for the first time in this legislative session. Both of these priority bills for the ACLU of New Mexico passed through their first committee hearings.

The New Mexico Civil Rights Act would allow New Mexicans to sue for civil rights violations under the state constitution. The bill is now headed to its final committee hearing in the House of Representatives. The Respect NM Women and Families Act would remove the old, outdated 1969 abortion ban from New Mexico’s books. It is now headed to its final Senate committee hearing.

Democracy requires us to stand up for our rights. This year we have a unique chance to enact an ambitious agenda that protects and expands civil rights and civil liberties across New Mexico. Watch our legislative advocacy training to find out how you can help during this year’s 60-day legislative session. Watch one of our two videos below:

• English event
• Spanish event

Legislative session has begun! Today at noon, legislators gathered to 'gavel in' for the 2021 legislative session. This year's 60 day session will end on March 20th at noon sharp. Stay tuned to this page for more information and the latest updates on the bills we are following this year.