45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

RELATING TO CRIMES; CREATING THE CRIME OF INSTALLING DUMMY OR DAMAGED AIR BAG; PRESCRIBING PENALTIES.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Criminal Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] INSTALLING DUMMY OR DAMAGED AIR BAG--PENALTY.--

A. Installing dummy or damaged air bag consists of knowingly installing or replacing or causing to be installed or replaced in a motor vehicle:

(1) an object that simulates an air bag with the intent to deceive;

(2) an air bag that is not designed in accordance with federal safety standards for the make, model and year of motor vehicle into which the air bag is installed; or

(3) an air bag that is damaged or tampered with in such a manner that it will not operate according to federal safety standard specifications.

B. Whoever commits installing dummy or damaged air bag is guilty of a misdemeanor.

C. As used in this section, "air bag" means a device that is part of a motor vehicle's inflatable restraint system that has been designed in accordance with the federal safety standards for the make, model and year of the motor vehicle in which the device is installed."