HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 1311

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; PROVIDING FOR A DWI RECIDIVISM COMPONENT IN ALL DRIVER REHABILITATION PROGRAMS; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978.

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

     Section 1. Section 66-7-506 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 493, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-7-506. BUREAU--FUNCTIONS--POWERS--DUTIES.--The bureau shall have the following powers and duties:

          A. organize, plan and conduct a statewide program of activities designed to prevent accidents and to reduce the incidence of DWI in New Mexico;

          B. coordinate activities and programs of the departments, divisions and agencies of this state now engaged in promoting traffic safety;

          C. provide accident prevention information and publicity to all appropriate media of information and develop other means of public information;

          D. cooperate with all public and private agencies and organizations interested in the promotion of traffic safety and accident prevention;

          E. serve as a clearinghouse for all traffic safety materials and information used throughout this state;

          F. cooperate in promoting research, special studies and analysis of problems concerning the safety and welfare of the citizens of New Mexico;

          G. cooperate fully with national safety organizations in bringing about greater effectiveness in nationwide accident prevention activities and programs;

          H. make studies and suitable recommendations, through the [director] chief and the secretary of [highway and] transportation, to the legislature concerning safety regulations and laws;

          I. prepare and submit each year a written report to the governor concerning the activities of the bureau and activities concerning assistance to local organizations and officials;

          J. institute and administer a statewide motorcycle training program funded as provided for in Section 66-10-10 NMSA 1978;

          K. institute and administer an accident prevention course for elderly drivers as provided for in Section

59A-32-14 NMSA 1978;

          L. cooperate with the [state department of] public education department to develop a regulatory framework for instructional and administrative processes, including licensure requirements for instructors, and a curriculum for instruction in defensive driving with a DWI education and prevention component to be offered statewide in secondary schools as an elective;

          M. institute and administer a DWI prevention and education program for elementary and secondary school students, funded as provided for in Section 66-5-35 NMSA 1978; [and]

          N. include at least two hours of DWI prevention and education training in all driver education courses approved by the bureau; and

          O. include a DWI recidivism prevention component in all driver rehabilitation programs for alcohol or drugs approved by the bureau."

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