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

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; REQUIRING SCHOOL BUSES TO HAVE SAFETY BELTS.

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

Section 1. Section 66-3-874 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963, Chapter 30, Section 1) is amended to read:

"66-3-874. SAFETY BELTS REQUIRED.--

A. It is unlawful for any person to buy, sell, lease, trade or transfer from or to New Mexico residents at retail an automobile [which] that is manufactured or assembled commencing with the 1964 models unless the vehicle is equipped with safety belts installed for use in the left front and right front seats.

B. After January 1, 2000, a person shall not operate on the highway or street a school bus not equipped with a safety belt for each permanent seat.

C. For the purposes of this section, "school bus" means a motor vehicle that is designed to carry more than eleven passengers in addition to the driver and that is used for the purpose of transporting:

(1) public school students to or from public school or events related to public school; or

(2) private school students to or from private school or events related to private school."