The bill introduces provisions for the testimony of laboratory analysts and toxicologists in court proceedings related to traffic offenses, allowing them to appear via interactive video. This new section of the Implied Consent Act stipulates that if a party subpoenas an analyst or toxicologist, they may testify through interactive video, ensuring that all parties involved can see and hear the witness clearly. This aims to facilitate the questioning and cross-examination process while maintaining the integrity of the court proceedings.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 66-8-107 of the New Mexico Statutes to clarify that individuals operating a motor vehicle are deemed to have given consent to chemical tests for determining blood alcohol or drug content. It specifies that if a laboratory analyst or toxicologist is subpoenaed to testify about chemical testing results, the defendant is considered to have consented to their appearance by interactive video. This amendment enhances the efficiency of legal proceedings while ensuring that expert testimony can be effectively integrated into the judicial process.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 66-8-107