RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; REVISING THE EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS FOR NEW STATE POLICE OFFICERS; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 29-2-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1941, Chapter 147, Section 6, as amended) is amended to read:

"29-2-6. QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS.--

A. Members of the New Mexico state police, except the chief, shall:

(1) at the time of their appointment, be citizens of the United States;

(2) at the time of their appointment, have reached twenty-one years of age;

(3) at the time of their appointment:

(a) have completed not less than sixty hours of college credit; or

(b) have completed not less than thirty hours of college credit and, no later than two years following appointment, have completed not less than an additional thirty hours of college credit;

(4) be of good moral character and not have been convicted of a felony or infamous crime in the courts of this state or other state or any country or in the federal courts; and

(5) pass a physical examination the New Mexico state police may require.

B. A person shall not be commissioned a member of the New Mexico state police who is related by blood or marriage within the fourth degree to a member of the public safety advisory commission."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2001.