The bill amends Section 33-2-34 of the New Mexico Statutes to include "second degree homicide by vehicle" as part of the definition of "serious violent offense." This change expands the criteria for which prisoners can be classified as having committed serious violent offenses, thereby affecting their eligibility for meritorious deductions while incarcerated. The bill also specifies that "third degree homicide by vehicle" and "great bodily harm by vehicle" are included in this definition, which may influence the sentencing and rehabilitation processes for offenders convicted of these crimes.

In addition to the new insertions, the bill maintains existing provisions regarding the eligibility criteria for earning meritorious deductions based on participation in approved programs, the nature of the offense, and the conduct of the prisoner. The overall aim of the bill is to ensure that the classification of serious violent offenses is comprehensive and reflects the severity of certain vehicular crimes, thereby impacting the management of correctional facilities and the rehabilitation of offenders.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 33-2-34