SANTA FE, N.M. — House and Senate leaders promised to get through big public safety bills in the first 30 days of the session. So far, it seems they are sticking to their word.

The House Judiciary Committee took a second pass on a massive criminal competency reform bill Friday. It’s something we’ve been following since last summer. 

The goal is to give the courts more options when dealing with suspects who have mental illnesses or behavioral health conditions. Right now, a lot of them are simply released back on the streets to be arrested again and again. 

This bill would allow the courts to direct some suspects into mandatory treatment programs, among other restoration options.

One lawmaker shared a personal story about how this approach already benefitted her family.

“She said one of several things that we address in this bill. One of which is when he’s restored to competency, you know, just restoration alone, he goes to trial, he goes to jail, and he comes back worse than it was before. However, when he gets treatment, she said he’s back to being my little boy. And to me, that actually is the big win in this bill in particular,” said state Rep. Marianna Anaya. 

The bill’s sponsors made several changes to the bill Friday, and the committee debate was quite productive. However, they decided not to vote on the bill, revealing their plans to lump this bill into a larger public safety package that will be ready next week.

HOUSE BILL 16

A House committee approved House Bill 16 to increase the sentence for fentanyl trafficking by an extra three years, extending the maximum sentence allowed to 12 years.

This is something Democrats, Republicans and the governor are all calling for this year. However, some lawmakers suggested the bill should cover more drugs than just fentanyl, and pointed out the feds already tried this years ago. 

“You know, at the federal level, we increase minimum sentencing for specifically fentanyl related charges in 2018, but we haven’t seen a reduction in use, which is the ultimate goal, right?” said state Rep. Janelle Anyanonu. 

We’ve seen this argument a lot in the Roundhouse, where experts argue increased sentences don’t actually reduce crime rates.

Still, a group of Republican lawmakers is sponsoring a similar bill to potentially allow for life sentences for fentanyl trafficking.

It’s not likely that bill will move forward, but the fentanyl conversation is only just getting started in the Roundhouse.

Track HB 16 during the legislative session.