SENATE BILL 20

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Mark Moores and Gregory A. Baca and William H. Payne

and Ron Griggs

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH; ELIMINATING CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT OR ORDERS, RULES OR REGULATIONS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THAT ACT; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

 

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

     SECTION 1. Section 24-1-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1973, Chapter 359, Section 22, as amended) is amended to read:

     "24-1-21. PENALTIES.--Any person violating any of the provisions of the Public Health Act or any order, rule or regulation adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Act is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) or imprisonment in the county jail for a definite term not to exceed six months or both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court. Each day of a continuing violation of Subsection A of Section 24-1-5 NMSA 1978 after conviction shall be considered a separate offense. [The department also may enforce its rules and orders by any appropriate civil action. The attorney general shall represent the department.]"

     SECTION 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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