Public safety package passes major hurdle at the Roundhouse
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – A sweeping public safety package, the first for this legislative session, includes six bills that tackle a variety of critical issues. One of the big issues highlighted is a revision to the state's criminal competency laws.
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House Bill 8 would expand the evaluation process to allow judges to make a case-by-case review for suspects accused of certain serious crimes. They would have to go through a mental health hearing to determine if they are competent to stand trial and if they are dangerous. If a defendant is deemed incompetent and considered to be dangerous to themselves or others, then they can be involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility. A hearing will be held 90 days later to check if they can stand trial.
'But where the individual is deemed not dangerous and not competent…we have expanded the opportunities to work with individual,' said Rep. Christine Chandler (D – Los Alamos).
This crime package also includes other bills aimed at tackling issues like converting handguns into automatic weapons, and stricter penalties for fentanyl trafficking and auto theft. It also makes a shooting or bomb threat a fourth-degree felony.
Some lawmakers say this bill is a step in the right direction while others argue it does not do enough to hold criminals accountable. 'I am in favor of most of the bills in here if not all maybe just other than one concern and so I just I just don't feel like it goes far enough to address crime in the state,' said Rep. Nicole Chavez (R-Albuquerque).
Ultimately, the bill passed on a 7-4 vote and now heads to the house floor for a vote.
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