RELATING TO MISDEMEANORS; PROVIDING FOR MISDEMEANOR COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS IN COUNTIES; PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF FEES TO OPERATE THE PROGRAMS; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. MISDEMEANOR COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS--COUNTIES MAY ESTABLISH--FEES.--

A. A county may create a "misdemeanor compliance program" to monitor defendants' compliance with the conditions of probation imposed by a district or magistrate court. The program shall be limited to participation by persons who have been convicted of a misdemeanor criminal offense specified in the Criminal Code, convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or convicted of driving while the person's driver's license is suspended or revoked pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Code. A county's program shall comply with guidelines established by the administrative office of the courts.

B. As a condition of probation, the district or magistrate court may require the defendant to pay a fee of not less than fifteen dollars ($15.00) nor more than thirty dollars ($30.00) per month to the county for the term of his probation. Money collected by the county pursuant to this subsection shall be used only to operate the misdemeanor compliance program.

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2000.