The bill amends New Mexico laws concerning driving under the influence (DUI) of intoxicating substances, specifically addressing blood testing requirements and the qualifications of medical professionals authorized to conduct these tests. It introduces provisions that permit emergency medical technicians, certified phlebotomists, and hospital technologists to withdraw blood for chemical testing, while also ensuring these professionals are not liable for civil or criminal actions related to the blood withdrawal, except in cases of negligence. Additionally, the bill expands the circumstances under which individuals may be subjected to chemical testing if they refuse to comply with law enforcement requests, specifying that refusal may lead to aggravated charges unless the individual has caused great bodily injury or committed a felony.

Moreover, the bill revises the procedures for revoking driving privileges for individuals arrested for DUI, allowing law enforcement officers to revoke licenses based on reasonable grounds and chemical test results indicating a specific blood alcohol concentration. It outlines the duration of revocation based on the individual's age and prior offenses, and introduces a definition of "cannabis" along with parameters for cannabis-related offenses. The bill also updates the process for issuing written notices of revocation and the right to a hearing, while ensuring that those authorized to perform chemical blood tests are protected from liability, except in cases of negligence. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen DUI enforcement and provide clear guidelines for law enforcement and affected individuals.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 66-8-102, 66-8-103, 66-8-104, 66-8-111, 66-8-111.1, 66-13-6, 66-13-7