SECOND DEGREE HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE

HB 525 adds "second degree homicide by vehicle" to New Mexico's legal definition of "serious violent offense." This change directly affects prisoners convicted of this offense, limiting their eligibility for meritorious deductions - reducing their monthly sentence reduction from up to 30 days (for nonviolent offenses) to a maximum of four days. The bill amends Section 33-2-34 of New Mexico law, which governs how prisoners earn time off sentences through participation in approved programs. As a result, individuals convicted of second degree homicide by vehicle will have fewer opportunities to shorten their prison terms via these deductions.