New Mexico Outlaws Use of Qualified Immunity Defense for Police

New Mexico will outlaw the use of qualified immunity for police officers and other government workers starting July 1 under a law Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Wednesday.

The legislation (H.B. 4) lets people challenge violations of their constitutional rights in state court and sue for damages. Public employees won’t be allowed to use the defense of qualified immunity, which provides broad protections against liability for state and local governments.

Debate in the state was sparked by the death last year of George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes. ...