AN ACT

RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS; PROVIDING FOR A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE TO EDUCATE NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS FOR CAREERS AS PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS.

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

     Section 1. PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION--SCHOLARSHIPS.--

          A. The board of regents of the New Mexico military institute may establish a public safety officer education program for students interested in careers in public safety.

          B. Subject to available funding, the board of regents of the New Mexico military institute may offer public safety officer education scholarships to New Mexico residents who enroll in the public safety officer education program. With the advice of the department of public safety, the board of regents shall establish criteria for awarding the public safety officer education scholarships and, with the cooperation of the department of public safety, may establish internship programs with public safety agencies for scholarship recipients.

     Section 2. SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY--ADDITIONAL POWERS--PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

PROGRAM.--

          A. The secretary of public safety may enter into an agreement with the board of regents of the New Mexico military institute under which the institute would offer public safety officer education scholarships to New Mexico residents interested in careers as public safety officers. The agreement may provide criteria for recruiting scholarship applicants and awarding scholarships and for internship programs at public safety agencies for scholarship recipients.

          B. Subject to available appropriations, the secretary of public safety may transfer funds each fiscal year to the board of regents of the New Mexico military institute for the scholarship program for New Mexico

residents interested in careers as public safety officers.