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Senate Bill 35, which would remove an exemption in the state minimum wage law, passed the New Mexico House of Representatives on a 40-25 vote Sunday, March 14, and will now go to the governor for consideration.
Under existing law, pay for high school students remains at $8.50 an hour, while other workers saw an increase this year to $10.50. Sponsor Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said students are doing the same work as their older coworkers and deserve the same pay.
A separate bill to eliminate a similar exemption for workers with disabilities, House Bill 214, has passed the House and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.
Aid in dying
Legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to get assistance from health care professionals in ending their lives passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sunday and now movies to the full Senate for a final vote.
House Bill 47 would require confirmation by two medical professionals that the patient’s illness is terminal and that he or she is of sound mental capacity. The patient would be given a lethal pill, and would have the option to take it or not take it at the time and place of his or her choosing.
“When our loved ones are at the end of their lives, and in pain, if they want to pass in peace it should be their decision,” said sponsor Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil, D-Albuquerque.
Paid sick leave
Legislation that would require employers to offer paid sick leave to all workers passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee on a 6-3 vote Sunday, and will now be placed on the Senate calendar for a final vote.
Under House Bill 20, employees would accumulate one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 64 hours in a year. Business groups opposed the bill, saying it would be an added expense to small businesses that are barely hanging on now because of public health restrictions put in place to combat the pandemic.
Supporters said it was a public health issue. “No one should have to choose between going to work sick or not being able to pay their bills,” said sponsor Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces.
Walter Rubel can be reached at waltrubel@gmail.com.
