SANTA FE, NM – Today, the New Mexico Senate concurred on the New Mexico Parole Board Modernization Act (SB 17), which the House of Representatives passed on Monday evening following unanimous approval in the Senate. This important legislation now awaits Governor Lujan-Grisham's signature. This bipartisan bill, sponsored by Senator Leo Jaramillo and Representative Nicole Chavez, implements the first major updates to the state's parole criteria since 1980.
"When people become eligible for parole, they have already spent 30 years in prison as punishment for their crimes," said Senator Leo Jaramillo, the bill's Senate sponsor. "This legislation provides clear expectations for everyone impacted by the process, including crime victims. The unanimous passage in the Senate and now approval in the House shows that modernizing our parole system transcends party lines — because good governance and public safety aren't partisan issues."
The bill addresses several critical gaps in the current system, including protecting the political independence of the parole board, clarifying reimbursement for parole board member service, and ensuring more considerate scheduling of hearings. Currently, parole hearings often coincide with crime anniversaries, creating unnecessary emotional strain on victims' families. The legislation would prohibit scheduling hearings on victims' birth or death dates in cases involving loss of life.
"How our parole board carries out its responsibilities matters deeply for everyone in our community," said co-sponsor Representative Nicole Chavez. "This bill ensures victims are respected during hearings while providing a fair, evidence-based process for those who demonstrate genuine rehabilitation after serving their minimum sentences."
"With passage in both chambers, New Mexico has taken a decisive step toward a more fair and effective parole system," said Denali Wilson, attorney at ACLU of New Mexico. "This legislation ensures our state will make parole decisions based on meaningful evidence rather than outdated considerations. This mod ernization will improve outcomes not only for people in prison but also for crime victims and public safety overall."
If signed by the governor, the legislation would bring New Mexico's parole system in line with professional recommendations and evidence-based practices that have proven effective in other states.
