2023 Legislative Session

We had a very successful legislative session this year! Amazing life-changing bills, like HB7, SB13, HB134, and HB400 were signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. As a faith led organization, we know that these bills will help preserve our shared values of equity, care for the marginalized, and love of our neighbors.

Thank you for showing your support to these bills and making it possible for them to be signed into law. We are proud to be a safe and accepting state that puts New Mexicans first.

Despite our best efforts, SB11, HB43, and HB51 failed to make it through the legislative process. SB11 and HB51 were tabled in committee hearings, and HB43 never received a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee (its last committee hearing before reaching the Senate floor).

HB7- Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act prohibits public bodies, including local municipalities, from denying, restricting or discriminating against an individual’s right to use or refuse reproductive or gender-affirming care.

SB13- Reproductive Health Provider Protections protects reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare providers, including abortion funds and our volunteers, from criminal liability or professional disciplinary action. It also protects patients' reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare information from being accessed by other states.

HB134-Menstrual Products in School Bathrooms requires the Public Education Department to provide menstrual products in school bathrooms at no cost to students.

HB400-State-Administered Health Coverage Plan (Medicaid Forward) allows residents whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid to instead purchase an affordable plan through the program.

SB11- Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) was tabled in the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee with a 6-5 vote. PFML is a program designated to help people in New Mexico take paid time off of work for family or medical reasons. Although PFML was tabled, we are not ready to give up and are hopeful for the future. We believe all New Mexicans regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and their zip code deserve paid time off to take care of themselves and their families.

HB43- Affirmative Consent Policy in Schools needed to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee before reaching the Senate floor, but unfortunately it was never scheduled. This bill would require public schools and public and private post-secondary educational institutions to adopt policies and procedures addressing affirmative consent and prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, harassment and stalking: amending the public code to include a requirement to set affirmative consent as the standard for sexual activity.

HB51- Prescription Drug Affordability Board Act was tabled in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, but the fight is not over yet. We believe everyone deserves access to affordable prescription drugs. No one should be put into a situation where they have to choose between their medication and their family’s welfare.

Thank you for your continued support during this year's legislative session. It was a great session and we can't wait to advocate with you next year!