Bill to Repeal NM’s Outdated Abortion Ban Passes Committee with Bipartisan Support

Category: NM Legislative Session 2021 NM Legislative Session 2021
Published: 27 January 2021 27 January 2021

Legislation protects women’s right to reproductive health care in New Mexico

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, legislation to repeal the state’s outdated abortion ban - which criminalizes health care providers and puts women’s health at risk - passed the Health and Human Services Committee with bipartisan support. 

House Bill 7 is sponsored by Speaker of the House Brian Egolf (D - Santa Fe), 

Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (D - Mesilla), Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D - Las Cruces), Rep. Deborah Armstrong (D - Albuquerque) and Rep. Georgene Louis (D - Albuquerque). 

“House Bill 7 simply repeals the outdated and dangerous abortion ban of 1969 that was designed to keep New Mexicans from accessing the health care they may need," said Rep. Cadena.

“Pregnant people and their families deserve continued access to safe and legal abortion. By repealing this dangerous statute, we are making sure this ban is never enforceable in New Mexico again.”

“Abortion is health care, and all New Mexicans have a right to health care without politics interfering and without fear or penalty,” said Rep. Ferrary. “Medical decisions, especially those regarding reproductive care, are deeply personal and complex and should be made between a woman, her family and her doctor, to be guided by her own faith and values.” 

“The majority of New Mexicans believe that a woman’s right to make her own decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion, should be protected. New Mexicans support abortion access and trust each other to make their own decisions,” said Speaker Egolf. “With HB 7, we’re making sure that no matter what happens in Washington, DC, New Mexicans will always be able to make their own health care decisions.”

The 1969 New Mexico abortion ban became unenforceable following the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision; however, it is still in New Mexico state statute. HB 7 is a repeal of the 1969 ban, ensuring that these dangerous restrictions on reproductive health care will not be enforced in New Mexico should Roe v. Wade be overturned by a future Supreme Court.

House Bill 7 passed committee with a bipartisan 8-3 vote, and will now be heard in the House Judiciary Committee. 

Members of the public can track legislation on the New Mexico Legislature website and access committee meetings and House floor sessions on the Webcasts tab. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the House of Representatives is focused on passing critical legislation while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff, and the legislators.

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