HOUSE BILL 233

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Patricio Ruiloba

AN ACT

RELATING TO UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICERS; EXCEPTING CERTAIN UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICERS FROM CARRYING COMMISSIONS OF OFFICE; EXTENDING THE AUTHORITY OF UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICERS TO IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT ROADWAYS.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 29-5-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1968, Chapter 62, Section 154, as amended) is amended to read:

     "29-5-2. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS--UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICERS.--

          A. The board of regents of each state educational institution designated in Article 12, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico may employ and assign duties of university police officers for the institution.

          B. At all times while on duty, university police officers shall carry commissions of office issued by the board of regents, unless operating in an undercover role in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the board of regents. University police officers have the powers of peace officers within the exterior boundaries of lands under control of the board of regents employing them, including public streets and highways within [such] the boundaries, or immediately adjacent to, those lands. Within this territory, a university police officer may enforce all applicable laws, ordinances and campus traffic regulations, but no arrest for violation of any law, ordinance or campus traffic regulation relating to motor vehicles is valid unless, at the time of arrest, the university police officer is wearing:

                (1) a distinctive badge bearing the name of the institution, issued to [him] the officer by the board of regents; or

                (2) a distinctive uniform prescribed and issued to [him] the officer by the board of regents."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2017.

- 2 -