New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB3: COMMITMENT PROCEDURE CHANGES & DEFINITIONS
Status: Signed into law, March 6, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to commitment procedures; providing a definition for "serious harm to self" and "serious harm to others" in the mental health and developmental disabilities code and the assisted outpatient treatment act.
From the enrolled text, March 6, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO COMMITMENT PROCEDURES; PROVIDING A DEFINITION FOR "SERIOUS HARM TO SELF" AND "SERIOUS HARM TO OTHERS" IN THE MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CODE AND THE ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT ACT. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 43-1-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977, Chapter 279, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read: "43-1-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code: A. "aversive stimuli" means anything that, because it is believed to be unreasonably unpleasant, uncomfortable or distasteful to the client, is administered or done to the client for the purpose of reducing the frequency of a behavior, but does not include verbal therapies, physical restrictions to prevent imminent harm to self or others or psychotropic medications that are not used for purposes of punishment; B. "client" means a patient who is requesting or receiving mental health services or any person requesting or receiving developmental disabilities services or who is present in a mental health or developmental disabilities facility for the purpose of receiving such services or who has been placed in a mental health or developmental SB Page disabilities facility by the person's parent or guardian or by any court order; C. "code" means the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code; D. "consistent with the …
Sponsors
- Antonio Maestas (D, 26) · primary sponsor
- Brantley, Crystal (R, 35)
- Pete Campos (D, SD-008)
- Pamelya Herndon (D, HD-028)
- Joseph Cervantes (D, SD-031)
- Katy Duhigg (D, SD-010)
- Natalie Figueroa (D, SD-018)
- Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales (D, SD-006)
- Micaelita Debbie O'Malley (D, SD-013)
- Michael Padilla (D, SD-014)
- William P. Soules (D, SD-037)
- Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D, SD-039)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 46 - Mar. 6
- : h/receded on remaining amendments
- : s/partially concurred
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:58 N:10
- : HJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : Sent to HJC - Referrals: HJC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:37 N:3
- : SJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- : Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SJC
Votes
- House Floor Vote (February 9, 2026): 58 yea, 10 nay, passed
- Senate Floor Vote (January 23, 2026): 37 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: MENTAL HEALTH & DEV. DISABILITIES, CRIMES & PENALTIES, HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES
Common questions
- What is SB3?
- SB3 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): COMMITMENT PROCEDURE CHANGES & DEFINITIONS.
- What does SB3 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to commitment procedures; providing a definition for "serious harm to self" and "serious harm to others" in the mental health and developmental disabilities code and the assisted outpatient treatment act.
- What is the status of SB3?
- Signed into law as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 46 - Mar. 6 (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB3?
- Antonio Maestas (D, 26), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB3?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=3&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.