Summary:

 House Bill 104 (HB 104) revises the definition of “criminal offense” in the Victims of Crime Act to include certain crimes against a peace officer.  

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 104 (HB 104) amends Section 31-26-3 NMSA 1978 to add to the definition of “criminal offense” as used in the Victims of Crime Act.  The Victims of Crime Act protects the rights of victims of certain violent crimes and helps provide financial assistance to these victims for medical expenses and lost wages.  
The bill adds four new offenses that constitute a criminal offense: aggravated assault upon a peace officer, assault with intent to commit a violent felony upon a peace officer, battery upon a peace officer, and aggravated battery upon a peace officer. Therefore, victims of these additional offenses will be afforded the rights under the Victims of Crime Act. 

HB 104 also makes technical changes to the statute.   

Current Law:

 Currently, only victims of the following offenses are protected under the Act:  arson, aggravated assault/battery, dangerous use of explosives, negligent use of a deadly weapon, murder, voluntary/involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact of a minor, armed robbery, homicide by vehicle, great bodily injury by vehicle, abandonment or abuse of a child, stalking, aggravated assault against a household member, assault against a household member with the intent to commit a violent felony, and battery/aggravated battery against a household member.