NM lawmaker whose son was murdered rips Dems for 'homicide scholarships' after her crime bill was tanked

State Rep. Nicole Chavez of Albuquerque said Thursday she is "sickened" by the developments.

That bill would provide a monthly stipend for certain former convicts under the age of 26 seeking educational opportunities or other ways to get on the proverbial straight-and-narrow, according to multiple reports.

Per the text of the bill, it would provide money for the Juvenile Community Connections Fund to be used toward programs providing services for adjudicated delinquents and youth, and establish a panel to determine the next steps for a convict released from a juvenile facility.

"I sponsored HB 134 to deliver justice and accountability, but they refused to come to the table," Chavez said of her original bill.

HB 134 sought to update 1970's-era New Mexico laws outlining the criminal justice process for juveniles, including moving some violent crimes like first-degree murder for younger teen suspects to adult court.

"This is not progress-it is a knife in the heart of every parent who has buried a child," Chavez said Thursday. "New Mexico Democrats have turned their backs on victims and their families, choosing instead to reward the very criminals who destroyed our lives."

Instead, the purported "homicide scholarship" bill was given a reading and passed by the House earlier this month.

Lujan Grisham did not respond to requests for comment on the latter bill.

However, she was also lambasted by Republicans for supporting what conservatives called one of the strictest pieces of gun control legislation last week. Meanwhile, another top House Republican called the "homicide scholarship" bill "another betrayal to New Mexicans."

"Democrats have forced through legislation that gives juvenile murderers $2,000 monthly scholarships, funded by the sweat of hardworking taxpayers. This isn't compassion-it's a perverse reward for bloodshed, a signal to every thug that crime pays in this state," said Rep. Stefani Lord of Sandia Park.

Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis, added that "Homicide Scholarships should alarm every New Mexican who fears for their safety," and that the signal sent by the bill is that "crime truly pays."

Fox News Digital reached out for a response from Senate President Pro-Tem Mimi Stewart and House Speaker Javier Martinez, both Albuquerque Democrats.

House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, also did not respond by press time.

Lujan Grisham told the paper that she will continue to urge lawmakers to "answer the call" on juvenile justice reform.