RELATING TO COURTS; AUTHORIZING EARLY RELEASE OF INMATES FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY TO A REENTRY DRUG COURT PROGRAM SUPERVISED BY A DISTRICT COURT.

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

Section 1. REENTRY DRUG COURT PROGRAM FOR INMATES--DISTRICT COURT SUPERVISION.--

A. The corrections department shall develop criteria regarding the eligibility of an inmate for early release into a reentry drug court program, including requirements that the inmate:

(1) was incarcerated following conviction for a nonviolent, drug-related offense; and

(2) is within eighteen months of release or eligibility for parole.

B. The corrections department may petition a district court that operates a reentry drug court program to accept limited jurisdiction of an inmate. If the district court grants the petition, the district court shall have jurisdiction over the inmate and the corrections department shall retain its jurisdiction over the inmate pursuant to the terms of the inmate's judgment and sentence.

C. The provisions of this section shall not be interpreted to change the jurisdictional authority of the sentencing court, pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of Criminal Procedure for the District Courts, as promulgated by the supreme court. The jurisdictional authority conferred upon a reentry drug court pursuant to this section is limited to acceptance and supervision of a released inmate by the reentry drug court program.

D. The provisions of this section shall not be interpreted to limit the statutory authority vested in the adult probation and parole division of the corrections department, pursuant to the provisions of the Probation and Parole Act.

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