NM SM17

Requests the Secretary of Public Safety and Executive Director of the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs to convene a task force studying sexual assault examination kits and progress on processing backlogged kits

Task force membership includes 12 representatives from state agencies, rape crisis centers, sexual assault nurse examiner programs, forensic laboratories, and the Albuquerque police crime laboratory

Task force to begin meeting in July 2026 and report to interim legislative committees on courts/corrections/justice and health/human services

Reports must address progress on meeting statutory processing timelines (Section 30-9-21 NMSA 1978), adequacy of survivor services, solutions to processing challenges, and recommended legislation

Cites 2024 New Mexico Crime Victimization Report finding 54% of New Mexicans have experienced sexual assault or rape, with 40% reporting first incident at age 12 or younger