Legislation That Will Toughen Child Abuse Laws Passes House

Santa Fe, NM Legislation that will toughen penalties for convicted child abusers
and those whose abuse contributes to the death of a child passed the House floor
on Thursday by a vote of 50-10.
This bill protects our children by going after the predators that intentionally seek to
harm them, said Rep. James, the bills sponsor. Tonight, we sent a message that
child abuse will not be tolerated.
Currently, those who intentionally beat a child to death only face life in prison if the
victim was under the age of 12. This is called Baby Briannas Law, named after
Brianna Lopez who was raped and killed by members of her own family. Under
Jamess bill, those who intentionally harm a child leading to the child's death would
face life in prison no matter the childs age.
The bill will also toughen penalties for child abusers, increasing the penalty for the
first offense from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony. After the first
offense, it would increase from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony.
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