Contact: Isaac Padilla
Office: 505/986.4263
Isaac.Padilla@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senate Advances Bill to Close Child Porn Loophole and Protect New Mexico’s Children
Santa Fe, NM–Senate Public Affairs Committee today approved amended House Bill 65. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes (R-15-Bernalillo), seeks to close a dangerous and much publicized loophole in New Mexico’s child porn laws created by recent Supreme Court decision.
The senate amendments approved by the Public Affairs Committee strengthen the legislation by providing prosecutors additional power to seek penalty enhancements against offenders that prey upon children under the age of 13. The amended bill unanimously passed the panel.
Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-15-Bernalillo) led the Senate’s work on HB 65. “This bill provides prosecutors the tools they need to crack down on dangerous child predators,” said Sen. Ivey-Soto. “I also want to thank Rep. Maestas Barnes and Attorney General Balderas and their teams for their work on this important piece of bipartisan legislation.”
“Today’s action by the Public Affairs Committee sends a clear message: the senate is working to pass legislation that will protect New Mexico’s children’” said Sen. Michael Sanchez (D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia).
Republicans led an effort yesterday to bring HB 65 directly to the floor and bypass all Senate Committees. “By providing the Senate Public Affairs Committee the opportunity to review and work on this bill, we have ensured that this bill has the broad bipartisan support it needs to pass,” concluded Sen. Sanchez.
HB 65 goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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