All Roll Calls
Yes: 98 • No: 0
New MexicoSB 432026 Regular SessionSenate
PAROLE REQUIREMENT CHANGES
Sponsored By: Leo Jaramillo (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Homicide hearings avoid victims’ anniversary dates
When practical, the parole board must avoid scheduling homicide-case hearings on victims’ birthdays or death anniversaries. This covers each person whose death formed the basis of the homicide conviction. The rule changes hearing dates, not parole eligibility or release standards.
Life-sentence parole hearings after 30 years
People serving life sentences become eligible for a parole hearing after 30 years; separate rules cover medical or geriatric parole. The board reviews risk, readiness for release, program participation, maturity, rehabilitation, and fitness to return to society. Before granting parole, it must interview the person in prison and hear from a victim’s family or representative who chooses to participate. It must consider relevant information, including offense circumstances, factors weighing for or against release, deadly weapon use, criminal history, required reports, and physical and mental exam reports. The board must find that release serves both society and the person, who must be able and willing to obey the law. A hearing does not guarantee release. After a denial, another hearing is due every two years, and the board can reopen a case on its own. Two members of a three-member panel can grant, deny, or revoke parole; the chair appoints panel members on a rotating basis.
No parole for life-without-parole sentences
People sentenced to life without the possibility of release or parole cannot get parole. They must remain in prison for the rest of their lives.
Required supervision after prison release
People released from life sentences must serve at least five years under parole board supervision. The board can shorten that period when doing so serves both society and the person on parole. People imprisoned for first-, second-, or third-degree felonies must serve two years on parole; fourth-degree felonies require one year. Separate rules apply to certain sex offenders and people eligible for medical or geriatric parole. Once a person fulfills the release obligations for the parole period, the board must issue a final discharge and certificate.
Signed conditions required for parole release
People seeking parole release must sign written parole conditions and have an approved parole plan. The board must personally explain their conditions and duties. Refusing to sign or lacking an approved plan keeps the person in prison until the missing requirement is met. Otherwise, custody continues until the required parole period ends, minus earned time deductions. Time served because of either problem reduces any later parole period, and court-ordered restitution must be a parole condition.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Leo Jaramillo
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Andrea Romero
Democratic • House
Crystal Brantley
Republican • Senate
Nicole Chavez
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/17/2026
Final House Vote
Yes: 62 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Final Senate Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor - Chapter 22 - Mar. 4
3/4/2026SenatePassed in the House of Representatives - Y:62 N:0
2/17/2026HouseHJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
2/14/2026HouseSent to HJC - Referrals: HJC
2/11/2026SenatePassed in the Senate - Y:36 N:0
2/10/2026SenateSJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
2/7/2026SenateSHPAC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
2/3/2026SenateSCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
1/26/2026SenateSent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/SJC
1/21/2026Senate
Bill Text
Final Version
3/5/2026
HJC Committee Report 2/14/26
2/14/2026
SJC Committee Report 2/07/26
2/7/2026
SHPAC Committee Report 2/03/26
2/3/2026
SCC Committee Report 1/26/26
1/26/2026
Introduced
1/21/2026