The bill seeks to rename the "Family Violence Protection Act" to the "Protection Against Abuse and Violence Act" and introduces several key amendments to enhance the legal framework surrounding domestic violence in New Mexico. It expands the definition of "endangered person" to include individuals protected under the new act and allows qualified electors who have filed for an order of protection to be referred to a confidential address program. The bill also clarifies that alleged victims of domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault will not incur costs related to the prosecution of offenses or the issuance of protection orders. Additionally, it establishes a domestic violence offender treatment fund and emphasizes the importance of accountability and education in treatment programs, while explicitly excluding couple's counseling from these programs.

Further amendments include the introduction of new definitions related to protection orders, such as "credible threat" and "sensitive images," and the clarification that minors aged thirteen and older can petition for protection orders independently. The bill streamlines the process for obtaining emergency orders and mandates that law enforcement officers can petition for such orders. It also prohibits restrained parties from owning firearms while an order is in effect and allows for the issuance of protection orders even if the respondent is not present at the hearing. The bill aims to strengthen protections for victims, enhance law enforcement's response to domestic violence incidents, and ensure the confidentiality of information related to protection orders, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 1-4-5.1, 29-15-2, 30-1-15, 31-12-12, 32A-2-3, 30-2-1, 40-4-7.2, 40-13-1, 40-13-2, 40-13-3, 40-13-3.1, 40-13-3.2, 40-13-4, 40-13-5, 40-13-5.1, 40-13-6, 40-13-7, 40-13-7.1, 40-13-9, 40-13-10, 40-13-12, 40-13B-2, 50-4A-2, 40-13-1.1