RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; REVISING THE CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO THE RADIO DISPATCHER TRAINING PROGRAM; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE POLICE RADIO DISPATCHER TRAINING ACT.

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

Section 1. Section 29-7A-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 228, Section 2) is amended to read:

"29-7A-2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION.--The director of the New Mexico law enforcement academy shall determine that all applicants for admission to the radio dispatcher training program:

A. are citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States and have reached the age of majority;

B. hold high school diplomas or the equivalent;

C. have not been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude as determined by submission of the applicant's fingerprints to the New Mexico state police and to the federal bureau of investigation identification division and by such other investigations as required by the applicant's place of employment; and

D. are free of any physical, emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect their performance."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2001.