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Committee unanimously backs updating harassment statute to include electronic communications (SB86)
Summary
SB86 updates a 1967 statute on harassment by telephone to cover electronic communication including social media and messaging apps; law‑enforcement and business groups supported the narrow modernization and the committee recommended a do‑pass 9‑0.
Senate Bill 86, a narrow technical update to New Mexico’s harassment law, drew bipartisan support and a unanimous committee recommendation.
Sponsor Senator Brantley said the bill replaces the term ‘‘telephone’’ with ‘‘electronic’’ to reflect modern communications including social media, instant messaging and email. Jeremy Stewart, police chief in Las Cruces, called the update a straightforward modernization that would help law enforcement address electronic harassment and better protect victims.
Representatives of the governor’s office and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce also supported the measure, arguing it closes an outdated gap without expanding criminal liability beyond the statute’s intent. The committee voted 9–0 to report the bill with a do‑pass recommendation.
Next steps: SB86 moves forward with a unanimous committee recommendation.
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