2025 Legislative Session

This year's legislative session has been rather eventful as the struggle to bring about the culture of life continues. Here is our latest update of the bills related to the pro-life movement.

House Bill 234, the Medical Care for All Infants Born Alive Act

HB234 would have required medical personnel to provide life-saving care for all newborns--including those who survive an abortion procedure. The recent past has shown us that New Mexico has no limits regarding abortion. Unfortunately, as of February 20, the Democratic members of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee removed this bill from their schedule according to Elisa Martinez of the New Mexico Alliance for Life. Thus, this bill could not be moved forward.

House Bill 236, Notice for Medication Abortions

HB 236 would require information to be provided regarding the effects and reversal of a medication abortion. This policy would require the following at medical facilities:

• Conspicuous signs posted, which mention about the possibility of reversal if the patient changes her mind

• Contact information for resources that provide the reversal of the medication abortion

• A 24-hour prior written notice given by doctors to the patients before administering the mifepristone (abortion-inducing pills) which includes information about reversal. Plus, the Department of Health would be required to post this information on their website by September 1, 2025.

Until the day comes when medication abortions are no longer available in this state, this bill could be the first set toward transparency and accountability on the part of healthcare providers and the Department Health. As of February 3, this bill was still sitting in the Health and Human Services and the House Judiciary Committee.

In addition to the bills mentioned above, we are also keeping watch for HB207 and SB272, which would extend state tax credits to individuals who wish to adopt. HB207, also known as the Adoption Tax Credit Expansion Act involves the following measures (per New Mexico Family Action Movement):

• Increasing the adoption tax credit from $1500 to $7000 per child

• Extending eligibility to ALL adopted children under age 18

• Making the tax credit refundable

Likewise, SB272 would provide a state tax exemption for grandparents who are legal guardians or are adopting grandchildren. This exemption would also apply to foster parents who want to move forward with the adoption process.

Other Notable Bills

SB258

This mandate calls for all public schools to adopt a comprehensive human sexuality curriculum as part of their health class requirements at both the middle (yes, sixth grade) and high school level; parents would have difficulty with opting out; the curriculum would include abortion-related and transgender-related ideology.

SB347

This bill would provide legal protections for health care professionals and staff who do NOT want to participate in an abortion procedure or abortion-related services. This bill is known as the Health Care Workers Conscience Protection Act.

HB466

This measure would prohibit the use of puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgical "gender-affirming" procedures for minors under the age of 18; and allows for parents to take legal action against any health care professional who violates this mandate.

As we await the outcome of this legislative session, we invite you to pray for God's guidance for our state's leaders and lawmakers. We especially ask for your help with contacting our legislators and asking them to take steps towards a culture of life in New Mexico.