Judiciary committee advances bill to extend victims’ rights to law enforcement officers

House Bill 104, which would add law enforcement officers to the list of enumerated victims under the state Victims of Crime Act, cleared the Judiciary Committee after proponents described it as a technical but important change.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Reeb, told the committee the measure would put peace officers on the same footing as other victims so they can “receive the same rights that any victim would” under the Victims of Crime Act, such as notification of court hearings, protection from the accused, the right to attend public court proceedings and access to restitution and counseling. “Right now, law enforcement officers don't have any of the rights of what a victim would have,” Reeb said.

District Attorney Barb Romo of the Thirteenth Judicial District, introduced by Reeb as an expert witness, said she had pursued the change for a decade and described it as a noncontroversial fix with no fiscal impact. “It really shouldn't be that hard,” Romo said. She said the bill does not affect defendants’ rights and would allow officers and their families access to counseling and services typically provided through the Crime Victims Reparation Commission (CBRC).

Several law enforcement leaders and public-safety organizations spoke in support. Marco Serna, a former First Judicial District district attorney, asked the committee to consider families of injured officers and the trauma they face. Christopher Williams, chief of police in Portales and vice president of the New Mexico Association of Chiefs of Police, said the association “strongly supports” the bill. Sheriff Michael Brockett of Curry County described recruitment problems in rural areas and said the measure would send a supportive message to officers. Carter Bundy of AFSCME said the union represents officers in some jurisdictions and urged passage.

Ben Appar, chief public defender, said the office was “not opposing” the bill but raised questions about how victims’ compensation would interact with workers’ compensation and noted law enforcement often files charges, which makes their role different from other victims.

Representative Chavez cosponsored the bill and framed it as a matter of fairness and family support, noting she had personal experience with CBRC services and said the bill would allow officers’ families to access similar behavioral-health supports. Supporters also reported that the Department of Public Safety and the Legislative Criminal Justice Review committee (CBRC) back the measure.

The committee recorded a motion for a due-pass recommendation. During the roll call, multiple members registered affirmative votes and the chair announced the measure passed the committee (vote details recorded in the transcript). Committee proponents said the bill provides counseling and other CBRC services in addition to existing workers’ compensation benefits for officers injured on duty.

Votes at a glance: motion for a due pass moved by Representative Hall; second not specified in the transcript; committee announced the bill passed following a roll call and affirmation of yes votes. The transcript lists multiple members saying “Yes” during the roll call.

The bill now moves to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration.