New Mexico lawmakers have been working to pass bills aimed at protecting abortion rights, gun control, and healthcare before the end of the legislative session. Among the bills being considered is one that would safeguard abortion providers and patients from interference and extradition by other states. The bill has already passed the House and is expected to be signed into law by the president. The move is a response to a lawsuit supported by Republican-majority states that threatens to restrict access to medical abortion. In addition to the abortion bill, the state is also considering measures related to gun control, including a ban on guns during elections and heavy penalties for fraudulent gun purchases. Lujan Grisham has signed into law a bill that makes it illegal to store guns in places accessible to children. Finally, regulations have been passed that establish penalties for petty crimes and remove the option of punishing with life in prison without parole for crimes committed during childhood.
Mexico Passes Bill to Protect Abortion Providers
Lawmakers in New Mexico are racing against time to pass bills aimed at safeguarding abortion rights before the end of the 60-day legislative session. Among the bills being debated is one that seeks to protect abortion providers and patients from interference, prosecution or extradition by other states. In a victory for abortion rights advocates, the bill has passed the House with 38 votes to 30, between Republicans and Democrats. The president, Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, is expected to sign the bill into law.
New Mexico is taking steps to expand protections for access to abortion and healthcare amidst a lawsuit supported by Republican-majority states that threaten to restrict access to medical abortion. Lujan Grisham emphasized that it is increasingly important for the state to provide constitutional protections for individuals to make their own decisions in the face of challenges from Republican attorneys general and others who aim to restrict access to abortions.
This bill is not the only one being debated. Measures on the ballot also include gun control, a ban on guns during elections, and heavy penalties on fraudulent gun purchases. While some gun bills may not make it to the vote, Lujan Grisham has already signed a law that makes it a crime to store guns in places accessible to children.
The president has also approved proposals to increase the salary of elected state officials such as the attorney general and secretary of state. In terms of criminal initiatives, regulations have been signed that establish penalties for petty crimes and remove the option of punishing with life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes committed during childhood.
Despite the tight deadline, legislators still have until noon Saturday to send other bills to the president for consideration. While this session has been productive, more work needs to be done to ensure that abortion rights and access to healthcare remain protected for all individuals in the state.
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