At NewMexicoWomen.Org, we know how to show up with love, in our actions, in our practices, and in our communities. This month calls upon us to inhabit a ‘politic of love’ while also holding the legacies and resilience of Black histories. Black history month can remind us all that a “love ethic” centers on collective community care, for that is the foundation from which we can imagine and create just futures. This Black History Month, we honor Black legacies and futures, recognizing that these histories are living acts of reclamation and self-determination. 

With the 2026 Legislative Session now over, we’re also reminded that policy is a form of love in action, love made public. When we invest in advocacy and policy change, we invest in a society that cares for its people. Policy, combined with building community power, is how we ensure that our communities don't just survive, but flourish. We honor the organizers, coalitions, and community members from around the state who brought their love ethic to the session, resulting in bold policy measures and budgets that will benefit women, children, LGBTQ+ folks, and our families across New Mexico. 

A major win this session was the passage of HB 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, a landmark bill signed immediately after its passage in both chambers. This law prohibits state and local governments from participating in detaining people for civil immigration violations, stops the use of public land for immigration detention, and bans agreements that turn local law enforcement into immigration agents. 

• HB 4 – Strengthens the Healthcare Affordability Fund, protecting families as enhanced federal premium tax credits expire and Medicaid cuts hit. 
• HB 124 – Formalizes the Office of New Americans for job training, workforce programs, and economic opportunities for immigrant families.  
• HJR 5 – Constitutional amendment that establishes salaries for State Representatives and Senators in New Mexico. This amendment will be going to the voters as a ballot measure in November.  
• HR 1 – Resolution that establishes a Truth Committee to investigate abuse and human trafficking surrounding Zorro Ranch to provide accountability for survivors and to gain insights to strengthen protections. 
• SB 30 – Reporting of Induced Abortions repeals an unnecessary and outdated government surveillance law that applied only to abortion care. 
• SB 40 – The Driver Privacy and Safety Act safeguards the personal data that is collected from automatic license plate readers used by law enforcement. 
• SB 41 – Eliminates the criminal statute of limitations for certain child sexual abuse crimes. 
• SB 96 – Streamlines zoning requirements for home educators and licensed child care centers. 

• SB 241 – Codifies the state child care assistance system establishing key guardrails: graduated copays for higher income families; tying provider funding to a wage and career ladder; and authorizing funds for universal child care through the Early Childhood Trust Fund.
• SM 14 – Memorial requesting a study and the development of a statewide plan of action to address forced or coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and other women of color in NM.  
• SM 16 – Establishes a task force to collect data on parenting students in higher education to identify what supports they need to succeed.  
• SM 17 – Establishes a study of the backlog of Sexual Assault Evidence Kit processing to identify ongoing gaps, barriers, and successes.  
• SM 20 – Memorial requesting the convening of a statewide youth violence summit to develop research-based prevention strategies.  
• SM 22 – Establishes a working group to study funds administered by the CYFD to support domestic violence services in NM.  

General appropriations for the 2027 Budget also included funding to support the NM Survivors Agenda; investment in early childhood education through home visiting and early interventions; and investments in civil legal services, to name a few.  

Other key legislation that did not pass included the Community and Health Information Safety and Privacy Act (HB 53, CHISPA), which would have strengthened consumer data collection and privacy, including health data. Nor did the Reproductive Health Care Coverage bill (SB 189) which aimed to reduce financial barriers to access essential services, including protecting abortion coverage, gender-affirming care, and codifying Medicaid for abortion providers.  

Additionally, while it did not pass, we celebrate the incredible efforts behind the Rainbow Budget, led by a coalition of LGBTQ+ serving organizations, which would have allocated $10 million to LGBTQ+ serving organizations and programs across the state. Similarly, we celebrate the efforts behind the NM Survivors’ Justice Act (HB 151), which would have eliminated the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual assault. 

This year marks 100 years of Black History Month, honoring the achievements and legacy of Black Americans. In New Mexico, Black history dates back to 1539 with Esteban (Estevanico), an enslaved African Moor, who became the first Spanish representative to the Zuni people. With much history in between, in 1903, Frank and Ella Boyer founded Blackdom, the state’s first all-Black settlement. In 1938, Henry Outley planned Albuquerque’s first Black neighborhood, the East End Addition, which intentionally created space for Black families amid discriminatory housing laws. 

These histories and communities were acts of reclamation, self-determination, and collective community care towards Black futurity. Today, Black-led organizations and agencies continue advancing Black futures rooted in healing, liberation, and equity across New Mexico. We invite you to support their work by donating and amplifying their work this month and all year long. 

• New Mexico Black Leadership Council
• Vital Spaces
• NM Office of African American Affairs
• Juneteenth Renaissance Institute
• NAACP New Mexico and affiliated branches
• Black Men Flower Project
• Color the Connect 
• NM Black Mental Health Coalition 

In solidarity,

Sarah Ghiorse

President & CEO