A coalition of eleven community organizations in New Mexico has expressed concerns over House Bill 8, urging the House Judiciary Committee to prioritize effective crime solutions over what they describe as ineffective tough-on-crime policies. The coalition intended to voice their opinions at a committee meeting but were informed that public comments would not be allowed.
The group released a statement expressing gratitude for legislative efforts to address criminal competency proposals but criticized the bill's overall impact. "We are grateful for the work the legislature has done to address our concerns about the impact of the criminal competency proposals," they stated. Despite some improvements, they argued that the bill still includes harmful proposals that do not benefit communities and rely on outdated approaches.
The House Judiciary Committee reviewed HB8, which is presented as a public safety package. Critics argue it fails to tackle root causes of crime and instead focuses on creating new crimes, extending sentences, and enforcing hospitalization without addressing underlying issues.
Lena Weber, Interim Director of Public Policy at ACLU-NM, highlighted the coalition's stance: "The Public Safety Coalition formed during the 2024 Special Session and was proud to partner with the Democratic Caucus to oppose harmful proposals from the governor’s office." She added that while there have been improvements since last year's session, HB8 still depends heavily on coerced care and forced hospitalization.
A survey indicated that 79% of New Mexicans prefer preventative measures such as education, healthcare, and housing investments over incarceration and punishment-focused strategies.
Members of the Public Safety Coalition include NM Native Vote, Equality New Mexico, Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, ACLU, Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, OLE New Mexico, Enlace Comunitario, Bold Futures NM, New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, Center for Civic Policy, and New Mexico Eviction Prevention.
