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New Mexico Erin’s Law Resources and Materials

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The academic success of New Mexico’s students is determined by their health. Health literacy is an essential component of preparing students to be healthy and productive members of our communities. Health education is achieved through coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, including teachers, students, families, administrators, schools, and communities. The New Mexico Public Education Department’s (NMPED) task is to demonstrate its commitment to creating learning environments where all students are accepted, supported, and confident in their ability to learn and succeed. Demonstrating that perspective is evidenced by fostering their wellness development, providing challenging and engaging learning opportunities, and educating students on the importance of a healthy lifestyle for future success.

Erin’s Law

Demonstrating that the power of ONE can change the lives of many, Erin’s Law is the product of years of advocacy in the halls of Congress. Erin Merryn is a mother, social worker, author, public speaker, and child abuse survivor who worked tirelessly to engage in the hard conversations necessary for change. Her efforts from 2011 to 2018 included advocating publicly for policy changes across the U.S. Ultimately successful, her efforts resulted in 38 states passing legislation aiming to prevent child abuse through education in schools. By and large, states such as New Mexico require the teaching of prevention classes on child sexual abuse and exploitation to students K-8 and graduating seniors. Policy entrepreneurs like Erin Merryn are rare, and the passing of proactive legislation is similarly rare. These individuals act as catalysts for new policy by introducing new ideas, attracting media attention, building networks with legislators, and providing them with essential information and perspectives. By enacting a protective, preventive, and empowering approach for children, the state of New Mexico continues to demonstrate its commitment to students across this great state.

New Mexico State Statute HB92 (2014)

§22-10A-32 NMSA 1978 was amended in 2014 to require all public schools in New Mexico to provide child sexual abuse education. Specifically, the law requires:

  1. All licensed school employees are to complete training in the detection and reporting of child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse and assault, and substance abuse.
  2. Requirement for employees to complete this training within the first year of employment
  3. Identifies the Public Education Department as the agency responsible for developing a training program that includes materials and the training staff necessary to fulfill the requirements of the statute.
  4. The role of the NMPED in coordinating the development of support services for students.
  5. Minimum required instruction areas and graduation requirements in regards to health education.

Instructional Resources

The state of New Mexico has proudly partnered with the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation to provide free materials and resources to school districts and charter schools across the state. Fight Child Abuse, a collaboration between the BSCC, Wonder Media, and the Joshua Center on Child Sexual Abuse at the University of Washington, has created ground-breaking educational programs to educate and raise awareness about sexual abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. This program has been developed and scripted by child advocates, therapists, and national scholars to teach Sexual Abuse Prevention Learning Targets. New Mexico HB92, passed in 2014, strives to educate all ages of children about what to do when confronted with abusive behavior, such as safe and unsafe touches and other physical and emotional abuse. This state statute requires “all licensed school employees to be trained in detecting and reporting child sexual abuse and assault and in assisting in awareness and prevention.” Additionally, the law also requires age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention training. HB92 also requires prevention education for all public school students in grades 1-12.

Educational Videos

Grades K-3:

Grades 4-5:

Lesson Plans and Materials:

Coloring Pages

Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 1
Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 2
Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 3
Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 4
Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 5
Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 6
Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 7
Stop Child Abuse Coloring Page 8

Gavin’s Law

In January 2025, the New Mexico Department of Justice announced legislation aimed at addressing hazing and cyberbullying, taking the critical step towards protecting students across the state. Similar to existing Gavin’s Law statutes in several states, New Mexico built on recent research and recommendations regarding the prevalence of such acts in schools. The proposed legislation explicitly criminalizes hazing and cyberbullying while establishing clear penalties, including felony charges for severe cases.

To assist districts and charter schools in providing educational resources to staff and students, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation also has resources available.

Protect Yourself – Cyberbullying (Grade 4-5)