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More sex offenders from other states who relocate to New Mexico will be required to register as sex offenders here under a new law signed by Gov. Susana Martinez on Wednesday.
The legislation closes a loophole that has allowed some sex offenders to avoid registering when they moved to New Mexico because state law didn’t reflect the crime the sex offender was convicted of in another state.
Sponsored by Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque, House Bill 570 requires all sex offenders registered in other states to be added to New Mexico’s database. Out-of-state offenders will be required to remain registered in New Mexico for at least as long as New Mexico courts require registration for the same crime.
Martinez said the new law will help protect New Mexico families from unknown sex offenders living in their neighborhoods.
“You don’t find a safe haven in New Mexico just because there isn’t an identical statute that applies,” Martinez said. “If you’re convicted in any other states as a sex offender … you have to register in New Mexico now.”
Other bills signed by Martinez on Wednesday from the legislative session that ended March 16 include:
♦ Adding a municipal judge and a public member to the Judicial Standards Commission, which investigates alleged misconduct, sponsored by Rep. Zachary Cook, R-Ruidoso.
♦ Allowing bed and breakfast establishments to get licenses to serve limited amounts of beer and wine to patrons in conjunction with food, if local governments or local option districts OK it, sponsored by Rep. Dona Irwin, D-Deming, and Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose.
♦ Allowing the Alcohol and Gaming Division to issue permits for alcohol tastings on the licensed premises of dispensers, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers or wine growers, sponsored by Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose.
♦ Allowing the State Game Commission to revoke hunting licenses for longer than three years, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup.
♦ Giving misdemeanor violators of state parks and boating regulations the option of paying a penalty assessment rather than appearing in court, sponsored by Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington.
♦ Increasing the income eligibility for the Public Service Law Loan Repayment Program so more lawyers can participate, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal
