Chiara Cavaletto, a Legislative Fellow at Equality New Mexico, has provided an update on recent legislative activities. The Roundhouse is currently active with the introduction of various bills that could impact communities across the state.

Equality New Mexico remains committed to its mission of building power within New Mexico and passing effective laws to protect local communities. Cavaletto highlighted progress on several issues, including comprehensive sex education, which has passed the Senate Education committee. Efforts to restrict transgender athletes were successfully blocked. Additionally, legislation aimed at limiting housing application fees and expanding Medicaid advanced through committee votes.

New proposals focused on immigrant safety and overdose prevention have been introduced, while a measure allowing non-major party voters to participate in primaries has cleared its first hurdle in the Senate.

However, concerns remain about potentially harmful legislation moving forward. A proposed digital age verification law could expand data collection and raise privacy issues. Another anti-trans bill was introduced under the pretense of protecting women's safety, adding to ongoing challenges faced by the trans community. Furthermore, new restrictions on abortion access have been proposed, limiting medication prescriptions to doctors only.

Cavaletto urged attention towards the forthcoming Community Safety and Privacy Act. This legislation aims to protect LGBTQ individuals in New Mexico from unauthorized data access by Big Tech and federal entities.

To support these efforts at the Roundhouse, Cavaletto encouraged actions such as emailing or calling legislators and posting on social media. She emphasized that every voice matters in pushing forward with these initiatives.