The Line: New Laws Going Into Effect July 1

July 8, 2016 – Some new laws passed by the New Mexico legislature, and approved during the session by Governor Susana Martinez, went into effect July 1st. Those new laws address DWI convictions, public safety, campaign financing and health care.

There will now be harsher penalties for some drunkd riving convictions.  For an 8th conviction, the law now calls for a 12 year sentence with 10 years not eligible to be suspended.

A new law also aims to help police create a better response and action when disabled people go missing.

In the area of campaign finance reporting, lobbyists must now file periodic disclosure reports on expenditures, even if no activity took place.

With Texas having close proximity to most of the state, doctors there often treat New Mexico patients.  A new law will let Texas doctors have their New Mexico patients sign statements to only accept jurisdiction in Texas courts, which will prevent those doctors from being sued in New Mexico because it is considered by some to be “patient-friendly.”

Line Panelists:
Janice Arnold-Jones, former state representative
Tom Garrity, the Garrity Group PR
Sophie Martin, attorney and editor of DukeCityFix.com
Antoinette Sedillo López, executive director of Enlace Comunitario