Bill > HB86

This bill makes several significant changes to New Mexico law regarding human trafficking and related criminal offenses. It removes the time limitation for prosecuting human trafficking cases, effectively allowing these cases to be pursued at any time after they occur. The bill raises the age of protection from sexual exploitation from sixteen to eighteen years old, meaning it is now a more serious offense to engage in sexual activities with minors under eighteen. The legislation adds human trafficking to the definition of "racketeering", expanding the legal tools available to prosecute such crimes. The bill also modifies the elements of human trafficking to include additional actions like harboring, maintaining, and patronizing victims, and adds a new provision about compelling labor through debt enforcement. The definition of "harm" is expanded to include psychological, financial, and reputational damage. The bill prohibits certain legal defenses in human trafficking prosecutions, such as claiming ignorance of the victim's age or arguing the victim's sexual history, and prevents human trafficking victims from being charged as accessories. Additionally, the bill removes earned meritorious deductions (early release credits) for individuals convicted of human trafficking and adds human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children to the Victims of Crime Act, providing more legal protections and support for victims.

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https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=86&year=25