Richardson Signs Anti-Human Trafficking Bill

LAS CRUCES — Governor Bill Richardson visitedNMSU today and signed several bills into law.

One measure — known asN.M. Bill 71 — makes human trafficking illegal.

State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia of Dona Ana County introduced the bill in an effort to combat the smuggling of illegal immigrants into the country. The bill passed both the state house and senate with unanimous approval.

In signing the bill, Richardson said one of the most important pieces of criminal legislationhad becomelaw. “We need stricter penalties so that human trafficking can be deterred and stopped,” he said. “Today, we will join our fellow southern border states and outlaw human trafficking in New Mexico.”

Susana Martinez, the district attorney for Dona Ana County, said the law was overdue.dona ana county’s district attorney agrees:

“I know other parts of the state, where prosecutors had to find either a false imprisonment or prostitution — it just depended on the individual situation where you could pocket the offense and that it fit. Now we have one we don’t even have to be looking for it. It fits perfectly,” she said.

Based on age, human trafficking penalties range from first to third degree felonies and carry a prison sentence of three to 18 years.