House Majority Leader Nate Gentry wants state lawmakers to take up new criminal justice reform measures amid a string of high-profile crimes involving repeat offenders.
The Albuquerque Republican unveiled proposals on Monday aimed at requiring harsher penalties for intentional child abuse and developing a criminal database to help judges. Gentry also wants a bill to allow cities to pass curfews laws targeting minors.
The upcoming Legislative session in January is expected to see a number of proposals, from strengthening the state's "three strikes" law to allowing the state to impose forced treatment for some suffering from mental illness.
Two repeat offenders this year are suspected of fatally shooting a Rio Rancho and Albuquerque police officer prompting calls for reform.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.