The bill seeks to enhance the legal framework addressing human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in New Mexico. It removes the time limitation for prosecuting human trafficking offenses, allowing for prosecution at any time after the crime occurs. The legislation raises the age for sexual exploitation of children by prostitution from sixteen to eighteen years and expands the definition of human trafficking to encompass various forms of coercion and exploitation. Additionally, it classifies human trafficking as a racketeering offense and prohibits certain defenses in prosecutions, such as the victim's sexual history or the defendant's mistaken belief about the victim's age. The bill also amends the Victims of Crime Act to include victims of these crimes, ensuring they receive necessary support.

Moreover, the bill outlines eligibility criteria for awarding meritorious deductions to prisoners, specifying that such deductions can be awarded in addition to existing ones, with a cap of one year per award. It establishes that prisoners convicted of human trafficking are ineligible for these deductions and clarifies that the provisions do not apply to life sentences without parole. The bill allows prisoners in federal or out-of-state facilities to earn deductions based on conduct and program participation, ensuring equitable treatment for those in private correctional facilities. It also expands the definition of serious violent offenses to include human trafficking and provides for earned meritorious deductions for parolees, contingent upon compliance with parole conditions.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 30-1-8, 30-6A-4, 30-42-3, 30-52-1, 31-26-3, 33-2-34