MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM EYES 2028, SAYS WOMEN SHOULD HOLD 60% OF OFFICES

The legislation passed unanimously in the state House and Senate and was signed into law by Lujan Grisham on Monday as part of her efforts to “strengthen public safety.”

The legislation was championed by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, which has campaigned for systems to improve the response times for reports of missing Native Americans. In New Mexico, Native Americans make up roughly 10% of the population, according to the Census Bureau.

“This bill reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that no Indigenous person is left behind when they go missing. For far too long, Native women and girls have been overlooked, their cases ignored or delayed. The Turquoise Alert System is an essential step toward rectifying that injustice and ensuring that our people receive the protection they deserve,” Tiffany Jiron, the group’s executive director, said in a statement.

“We have witnessed firsthand the devastation of delayed responses in cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives, and this law gives us the tools to ensure that no more families experience this unnecessary heartache,” Jiron added.

NEW MEXICO REPUBLICAN PARTY HEADQUARTERS VANDALIZED AND SET ON FIRE

Amber alert systems began to take hold in states in the early 2000s. Years later, silver alerts for missing elderly persons who may have dementia or similar conditions began to be implemented.

California launched the ebony alert for missing black children in 2024 after authorizing legislation was passed the prior year. The Golden State also has the feather alert for missing Native American persons, which was launched in 2023.