Governor Susana Martinez Announces Tightening of State's Sex Offender Registration Laws

6-29-2013 New Mexico:

Governor Susana Martinez today unveiled a new, central location for New Mexicans to see sex offender information state-wide, including real-time e-mail notifications if an offender moves into your community. This marks the first time that sex offender registration information is available to parents and the community in a single source that is consistent throughout New Mexico. Martinez also says that new sex offender registration requirements will go into effect next week, on July 1, 2013, and will tighten registration requirements while closing an out-of-state loophole.

The New Mexico Sex Offender Registry website contains information on sex offenders in New Mexico who are required to register. The new website, powered by OffenderWatch®, will now function in real time which means that when a change is made in the New Mexico Sex Offender Registry database, it is automatically pushed out to the website and is accessible to the public almost immediately.

New Mexicans using the enhanced registry website will now be able to sign up for email alerts when a new internet-posted sex offender moves into their city or town, and the alerts will remain in effect until cancelled by the user.

In addition to the newly unveiled website, legislative changes from the most recent legislative session go into effect next Monday, July 1. HB 570 strengthens the New Mexico sex offender registration law by closing an out-of-state loophole and expanding the information that offenders have to provide upon registration.

Previously, some sex offenders registered in another state did not have to register upon moving to New Mexico. As of July 1, 2013, any out-of-state sex offenders who were required to register in the state they're moving from must register as a sex offender in New Mexico. Their registration period in New Mexico is for the remaining period of time as required by their sentence from another state or for the duration that would be required for an equivalent offense under New Mexico law -- whichever is longer.

"Our families deserve to know that we are doing everything we can to protect them from sex offenders," says Governor Martinez. This new website is an excellent tool for parents and families and anybody concerned about who might be living on your block. I'm also glad we've closed the out-of-state loophole and brought our registry into the 21st century by requiring registration of social networking monikers. These are important tools for our law enforcement community."

Governor Martinez worked closely with Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D-Albuquerque), and Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-Alamogordo) to pass the tougher sex offender registry law.

"We are on the right track towards a direction that will reduce the sex offender registration gaps and provide additional protection for the children of New Mexico," added Rep. Herrell. "I am thrilled that this law is now going into effect. The governor and I are passionate about the safety of New Mexico children and this will provide the additional protection they deserve." ...continued... by Press Release