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Bill > SB165


NM SB165

NM SB165
Delinquency Act Changes


summary

Introduced
01/27/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/19/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENCY; AMENDING THE DELINQUENCY ACT; DEFINING NEW TERMS; CHANGING THE DEFINITIONS FOR "SERIOUS YOUTHFUL OFFENDER" AND "YOUTHFUL OFFENDER"; PROVIDING THAT A CHILDREN'S COURT ATTORNEY MAY REFER A CHILD BACK TO JUVENILE PROBATION SERVICES IF A PETITION IS NOT FILED AGAINST THE CHILD; CLARIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DETAINING A CHILD BEFORE ADJUDICATION; REQUIRING VALIDATION OF AND REPORTING ON A DETENTION RISK ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT; EXTENDING THE STANDARD TERMS OF COMMITMENT FOR DELINQUENT OFFENDERS; EXTENDING THE STANDARD TERM OF COMMITMENT FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS SUBJECT TO JUVENILE SANCTIONS; AMENDING THE JUVENILE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ACT; DEFINING NEW TERMS; PROVIDING THAT QUALIFIED GRANTEES MAY PROVIDE SERVICES TO PERSONS OTHER THAN CHILDREN OR ADULTS ADJUDICATED PURSUANT TO THE DELINQUENCY ACT; PROVIDING THAT QUALIFIED GRANTEES SHALL PRIORITIZE SERVICES TO CHILDREN OR ADULTS ADJUDICATED PURSUANT TO THE DELINQUENCY ACT; REQUIRING THAT A GRANTEE'S PROGRAMS OR SERVICES SHALL BE RESEARCH-BASED AND INCORPORATE BEST PRACTICES IN RISK REDUCTION; MAKING TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS; REPEALING SECTION 32A-2-2 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1993, CHAPTER 77, SECTION 31, AS AMENDED).

AI Summary

This bill makes several changes to the Delinquency Act and the Juvenile Community Corrections Act, aiming to clarify definitions, procedures, and sentencing terms for minors involved in the juvenile justice system. Key provisions include expanding the definition of "child" to include individuals over eighteen who committed delinquent acts as minors, modifying definitions for "serious youthful offender" and "youthful offender" to encompass a broader range of offenses and ages, and allowing children's court attorneys to refer children back to juvenile probation services if a formal petition is not filed. The bill also clarifies detention criteria for children, requires the validation and reporting of detention risk assessment instruments, and extends the standard commitment terms for delinquent and youthful offenders. Furthermore, it amends the Juvenile Community Corrections Act to allow qualified organizations to provide services to a wider group of justice-involved youth, while prioritizing those adjudicated under the Delinquency Act, and mandates that these programs be research-based and incorporate best practices for risk reduction.

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Action Postponed Indefinitely (on 02/17/2026)

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