Governor signs bill repealing abortion ban
Feb. 26—SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed a bill repealing a long-dormant New Mexico abortion ban, delivering a victory to advocates who had pushed for years to scrap a law that criminalized abortion in most circumstances.
The Democratic governor, who said last year New Mexico's abortion ban would be "gone" as soon as there were enough votes in the Senate to pass a repeal measure, described the bill's passage as a triumph over misinformation and fear-mongering.
"A woman has the right to make decisions about her own body," Lujan Grisham said in a statement after signing the legislation. "Anyone who seeks to violate bodily integrity, or to criminalize womanhood, is in the business of dehumanization."
The bill signed by the governor, Senate Bill 10, passed the Senate via a 25-17 vote on Feb. 11 and then cleared the House on a 40-30 vote a week later.
It triggered passionate debate among lawmakers over female autonomy, unborn children and legal protections for medical providers.
Critics of the bill argued it would cause an exodus of New Mexico health care workers, as the targeted statute also includes a "conscience clause" that allows doctors and nurses to decline to participate in an abortion procedure if they have moral objections.
But supporters pushed back against the claim, pointing out other medical conscience protections in state and federal law would remain in place if the 1969 law is repealed.
New Mexico's abortion law is largely unenforceable now because of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
However, changes to the Supreme Court's makeup during the tenure of former President Donald Trump have raised questions about whether that ruling might be partially or fully overturned in the coming months.
Were it to be enforceable, the state's statute would make it a crime to end a woman's pregnancy except in certain circumstances, such as rape and incest.
This year's passage of the abortion ban repeal came after five Senate Democrats who had opposed the 2019 legislation were ousted in last year's election cycle. Challengers in several of those races made abortion a top issue in their campaigns.
Just two Senate Democrats ended up voting against this year's bill — Sens. Pete Campos of Las Vegas and George Muñoz of Gallup.
With Lujan Grisham's signature, the 1969 law will be officially removed from the state's books June 18.
"Equality for all, equal justice and equal treatment — that's the standard," Lujan Grisham said. "And I'm proud to lead a state that today moved one step closer to that standard."
The governor also signed into law Friday a pandemic relief measure, House Bill 11, that authorizes $200 million in small business loans. Businesses that qualify for the program will be able to get up to $100,000 in funding.
The governor had until Saturday to act on both bills, which are just the second and third measures passed by the Legislature during the ongoing 60-day session.
A separate pandemic recovery bill providing $600 rebates to low-income workers and enacting a four-month tax holiday for restaurants and breweries is also on its way to Lujan Grisham's desk for final approval after being approved Wednesday by the House.
