February 26, 2021
Called historic, New Mexico decriminalized abortion on Friday when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Respect New Mexico Women and Families Act into law, after years of efforts by abortion rights supporters.
SB 10 repeals the 1969 statute that criminalized abortion by banning it with very few exceptions.
Lujan Grisham said “a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body.”
“Anyone who seeks to violate bodily integrity, or to criminalize womanhood, is in the business of dehumanization,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “New Mexico is not in that business – not any more. Our state statutes now reflect this inviolable recognition of humanity and dignity. I am incredibly grateful to the tireless advocates and legislators who fought through relentless misinformation and fear-mongering to make this day a reality. Equality for all, equal justice and equal treatment – that’s the standard. And I’m proud to lead a state that today move
Mural by Jodie Herrera commissioned by ACLU-NM
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham could have the bill that decriminalizes abortion care on her desk as early as late Friday, House Speaker Brian Egolf said during a Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico event.
Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico, an arm of Planned Parenthood, held a remote event called “Toast of the Town” Wednesday evening. The Santa Fe Democrat was one of several speakers, including Lujan Grisham as the keynote speaker.
Most of the talk during the hour-long event was about HB 7 and SB 10, mirror bills that would repeal the 1969 statute that bans abortion with few exceptions. SB 10 passed the state Senate in a historic win of 25 to 17 on February 12.
New Mexico State Senate.
Two years after a group of conservative Democrats, along with Republicans voted against decriminalizing abortion care, the state Senate passed SB 10 Thursday, 25 to 17.
SB 10, sponsored by state Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, is called the Respect New Mexico Women and Families Act and has a mirror bill, HB 7, sponsored by Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena, D-Mesilla. The two bills remove three sections from the criminal code which, in 1969, banned abortion with some limited exceptions.
The law has repeatedly been called archaic and advocates for its repeal said it included language contrary to how medicine is currently practiced. While the law is currently unenforceable, reproductive rights advocates have said that given the conservative bloc on the U.S. Supreme Court,
Lopez said “every pregnancy is unique and complex.”’
“Making a decision not to continue a pregnancy is very difficult and very personal,” she said. “We must make sure access is safe and available. That’s why I introduced this bill to get rid of an antiquated abortion law.”
An interactive art installation also became available to view Monday evening in the Santa Fe Plaza and online and will again appear Tuesday evening. Artists from Meow Wolf in Santa Fe and Electric Playhouse in Albuquerque partnered with the coalition to create an art piece that allows visitors to hear testimonials about why repealing the ban is important to families and individuals. The coalition intended to hold the rally on the first day of the legislative session, but rescheduled for February 1 because of the violence that took place at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6. The Roundhouse was on high alert for potential danger the week of President Joe Biden’s inauguration so the coalition
Respect New Mexico Women And Families Act Passes House Judiciary Committee With Majority Support
RNMW News:
SANTA FE House Bill 7, the Respect New Mexico Women and Families Act, passed its final committee Friday in the House of Representatives. This bill to repeal the 1969 abortion ban, passed the House Judiciary Committee on a party line vote, the eight Democratic members voted in favor of the bill and the four Republican members voted against.
House Bill 7, sponsored by Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (D-Mesilla), Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Las Cruces), Rep. Georgene Louis (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Deborah Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) and House Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe), would repeal a pre-Roe v. Wade statute from the 1960’s that criminalizes abortion in almost all circumstances that is currently on the books in New Mexico.