A memorial to address New Mexico’s rape kit backlog advances through first committee

By: Danielle Prokop

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: February 4, 2026

Words: 567

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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Senate lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously advanced legislation that would establish a task force to address a growing rape kit backlog in New Mexico, just a decade after working to address a different backlog of untested evidence kits collected in sexual assault cases.

Senate Memorial 17, sponsored by Albuquerque Democratic Sens. Linda López and Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, unanimously passed the Senate Rules Committee Wednesday morning.

SM17, which would only require passage through the Senate …

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