AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS; CREATING AN EXCEPTION TO THE RIGHT TO INSPECT PUBLIC RECORDS FOR FILED MILITARY DISCHARGE PAPERS.

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

Section 1. Section 14-2-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1947, Chapter 130, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"14-2-1. RIGHT TO INSPECT PUBLIC RECORDS--EXCEPTIONS.-- A. Every person has a right to inspect public records of this state except:

(1) records pertaining to physical or mental examinations and medical treatment of persons confined to an institution;

(2) letters of reference concerning employment, licensing or permits;

(3) letters or memorandums that are matters of opinion in personnel files or students' cumulative files;

(4) law enforcement records that reveal confidential sources, methods, information or individuals accused but not charged with a crime. Law enforcement records include evidence in any form received or compiled in connection with a criminal investigation or prosecution by a law enforcement or prosecuting agency, including inactive matters or closed investigations to the extent that they contain the information listed above;

(5) as provided by the Confidential Materials Act;

(6) trade secrets, attorney-client privileged information and long-range or strategic business plans of public hospitals discussed in a properly closed meeting;

(7) public records containing the identity of or identifying information relating to an applicant or nominee for the position of president of a public institution of higher education;

(8) discharge papers of a veteran of the armed forces of the United States filed with the county clerk before July 1, 2003 that have not been commingled with other recorded documents. These papers will be available only to the veteran who filed the papers, the veteran's next of kin, the deceased veteran's properly appointed personal representative or executor, a person holding the veteran's general power of attorney or a person designated in writing by the veteran to receive the records;

(9) discharge papers of a veteran of the armed forces of the United States filed with the county clerk before July 1, 2003 that have been commingled with other recorded documents if the veteran has recorded a request for exemption from public disclosure of discharge papers with the county clerk. If such a request has been recorded, the records may be released only to the veteran filing the papers, the veteran's next of kin, the deceased veteran's properly appointed personal representative or executor, a person holding the veteran's general power of attorney or a person designated in writing by the veteran to receive the records;

(10) discharge papers of a veteran of the armed forces of the United States filed with the county clerk after June 30, 2003. These papers will be available only to the veteran who filed them, the veteran's next of kin, the deceased veteran's properly appointed personal representative or executor, a person holding the veteran's general power of attorney or a person designated in writing by the veteran to receive the records; and

(11) as otherwise provided by law.

B. At least twenty-one days before the date of the meeting of the governing board of a public institution of higher education at which final action is taken on selection of the person for the position of president of the institution, the governing board shall give public notice of the names of the finalists being considered for the position. The board shall consider in the final selection process at least five finalists. The required notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of statewide circulation and in a newspaper of county-wide circulation in the county in which the institution is located. Publication shall be made once and shall occur at least twenty-one days and not more than thirty days before the described meeting.

C. Postponement of a meeting described in Subsection B of this section for which notice has been given does not relieve the governing body from the requirement of giving notice of a rescheduled meeting in accordance with the provisions of Subsection B of this section.

D. Action taken by a governing body without compliance with the notice requirements of Subsections B and C of this section is void.

E. Nothing in Subsections B through D of this section prohibits a governing body from identifying or otherwise disclosing the information described in this section."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.

HB 112

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