A BILL

59TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2027

INTRODUCED BY

AN ACT

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES; ENACTING THE RECRUITMENT AND INFLUENCE OF MINORS FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ACT; CREATING THE CRIME OF RECRUITMENT AND INFLUENCE OF MINORS FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY; PRESCRIBING PENALTIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Recruitment and Influence of Minors for Criminal Activity Act".

SECTION 2. A new section of Chapter 30, Article 6 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"30-6-__. RECRUITMENT AND INFLUENCE OF MINORS FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY--PENALTY.--

A. Recruitment and influence of minors for criminal activity consists of a person knowingly recruiting, inducing, enticing, coercing or influencing a minor to commit a criminal offense.

B. As used in this section, "minor" means a person under eighteen years of age.

C. Whoever commits recruitment and influence of minors for criminal activity is guilty of a first degree felony and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced as follows:
   (1) if the criminal offense committed by the minor is a non-violent crime, to a term of imprisonment of ten years;
   (2) if the criminal offense committed by the minor is a violent crime, to a term of imprisonment of twenty-five years.

D. The provisions of this section are in addition to and not in lieu of any other provision of law relating to crimes against children or contributing to the delinquency of a minor."

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2027.