Santa Fe, NM – Today, Representative Conrad James pre-filed two bills to strengthen protections for New Mexico's children. The measures will increase penalties for child abusers and expand the number of children covered under Baby Brianna's Law.
"There is no excuse for intentionally abusing a child," said James. "Crimes against children ought to result in stiff sentences to send a message that we will not tolerate these horrifying acts of violence."
HB 68 will increase the penalty for the first offense of intentional child abuse from a third degree felony to a second degree felony. The penalty for subsequent offenses would be increased from a second degree felony to a first degree felony.
The other bill, HB 69, will broaden Baby Brianna's Law to include all children under the age of 18. The law is named after Brianna Lopez, an infant who was killed by members of her family in 2002. Currently, individuals who intentionally abuse a child resulting in the death of the child face life in prison only if the child is under the age of 12. James's proposal would make all acts of child abuse resulting in the death of the child punishable by life imprisonment, regardless of the age of the child.
"Victims of child abuse often suffer permanent consequences. While no penalty can remove the damage that's been done to these kids, we can work to prevent convicted child abusers from inflicting more harm against them and other children," said James.
The two bills are similar to legislation James sponsored during the 2015 legislative session. The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 50-10, but it died in the Senate.