44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO LABOR LAW; ENACTING THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION ACT; PROHIBITING THE DISCHARGE OR DISCIPLINE OF AN EMPLOYEE WITHOUT JUST CAUSE; PROVIDING A CAUSE OF ACTION AND REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

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

Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Paycheck Protection Act".

Section 2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Paycheck Protection Act:

A. "employee" means an individual who performs a service for wages or other remuneration under a contract of hire, written or oral, express or implied, and includes an individual employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state;

B. "employer" means a person who has one or more employees and includes an agent of an employer and the state or a political subdivision of the state;

C. "just cause" means a reason that is rationally related to an employee's competence or turpitude or the proper performance of his duties and that is not in violation of the employee's civil or constitutional rights; and

D. "person" means an individual, partnership, firm, public or private corporation, association, trust, estate, political subdivision or agency or any other legal entity or its legal representatives, agents or assigns.

Section 3. DISCHARGE OR DISCIPLINE WITHOUT JUST CAUSE PROHIBITED--REMEDIES.--

A. No employer shall discharge or in any manner discipline an employee without just cause.

B. An employee who believes that he has been discharged or disciplined by an employer in violation of Subsection A of this section may bring an action for damages in district court. In an action brought pursuant to this subsection, the burden of proof shall be on the employer to show that the employee was discharged or disciplined with just cause.

C. If the employee prevails in an action brought pursuant to Subsection B of this section, the court shall award treble damages, reinstatement, court costs, including attorney fees, and such other equitable relief as the court deems appropriate.

D. The remedies provided for in this section are not exclusive and do not limit rights or remedies that are otherwise available.