The bill amends Section 33-2-34 of the New Mexico Statutes to classify homicide by vehicle or great bodily harm by vehicle as a serious violent offense for the purposes of earned meritorious deductions. This classification means that prisoners convicted of these offenses will be subject to the same eligibility criteria and deduction limits as those convicted of other serious violent offenses. Specifically, the bill outlines the conditions under which prisoners can earn meritorious deductions, including active participation in approved programs and the approval of the classification supervisor and warden.

Additionally, the bill specifies that meritorious deductions can be awarded for various achievements, such as completing educational or vocational programs, and outlines the maximum deductions available for different offenses. It also clarifies that prisoners who are in disciplinary segregation or have recently been convicted of a serious violent offense are not eligible for these deductions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the correctional system's approach to incentivizing rehabilitation while ensuring that serious violent offenses are treated with appropriate severity.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 33-2-34
Final Version: 33-2-34