HOUSE BILL 543

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

D. Wonda Johnson

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF CHAPTER 66, ARTICLE 3 NMSA 1978 TO PROVIDE FOR A LICENSE PLATE THAT PROVIDES RECOGNITION TO THOSE LIVING WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 66, Article 3 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS REGISTRATION PLATE.--

          A. The division shall issue a standardized special registration plate with a logo as specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 commemorating serious mental illness awareness.

          B. For a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00), which is in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, the owner of a vehicle may apply for issuance of a special serious mental illness awareness registration plate. The owner shall apply for and pay the fee each year to retain and renew the special serious mental illness awareness registration plate.

          C. Revenue from the additional fee for a special serious mental illness awareness registration plate shall be distributed as follows:

                (1) ten dollars ($10.00) of the additional fee collected shall be retained by and is appropriated to the department to defray the cost of making and issuing the special registration plate with a serious mental illness awareness logo; and

                (2) twenty-five dollars ($25.00) of the additional fee shall be distributed to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico for the creation or enhancement of peer and family behavioral health education and enhancement of evidence-based peer support programs at university of New Mexico hospital. The publications that are a result of the programs shall be distributed to the United States department of veterans affairs, the Indian health service, tribal behavioral health programs, in-state behavioral health not-for-profit corporations, jails, schools and prisons for no fee or a minimal fee."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2015.

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