New Mexico Statutes 30-31-27.1. Overdose prevention; limited immunity
A. A person who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing an alcohol- or drug-related overdose shall not be arrested, charged, prosecuted or otherwise penalized, nor shall the property of the person be subject to civil forfeiture, for violating any of the following if the evidence for the alleged violation was obtained as a result of the need for seeking medical assistance:
Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 30-31-27.1
- Civil forfeiture: The loss of ownership of property used to conduct illegal activity.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
(1) the provisions of Section 30-31-23 N.M. Stat. Ann. or Subsection A of section 30-31-25.1 N.M. Stat. Ann.;
(2) a restraining order; or
(3) the conditions of probation or parole.
B. A person who experiences an alcohol- or drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance shall not be arrested, charged, prosecuted or otherwise penalized, nor shall the property of the person be subject to civil forfeiture, for violating any of the following if the evidence for the alleged violation was obtained as a result of the overdose and the need for seeking medical assistance:
(1) the provisions of Section 30-31-23 N.M. Stat. Ann. or Subsection A of section 30-31-25.1 N.M. Stat. Ann.;
(2) a restraining order; or
(3) the conditions of probation or parole.
C. The act of seeking medical assistance for someone who is experiencing an alcohol- or drug-related overdose may be used as a mitigating factor in a criminal prosecution pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act for which immunity is not provided pursuant to this section.
D. For the purposes of this section, “seeking medical assistance” means: (1) reporting an alcohol- or drug-related overdose or other medical emergency to law enforcement, the 911 system or another emergency dispatch system, a poison control center or a health care provider; or
(2) assisting an individual who is reporting an alcohol- or drug-related overdose or providing care to an individual who is experiencing an alcohol- or drug- related overdose or other medical emergency while awaiting the arrival of a health care provider.