Ambulance Standards

NMSA 1978 ch. 65, art. 6

in effect

NMSA 1978, § 65-6-1 Short title

65-6-1. Short title Chapter 65, Article 6 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Ambulance Standards Act". 1953 Comp., § 64-40-1, enacted by Laws 1974, ch. 82, § 1; 2023, ch. 100, § 65.

NMSA 1978, § 65-6-2 Definitions

65-6-2. Definitions As used in the Ambulance Standards Act: A. "ambulance" means a vehicle, including motor vehicles or watercraft, designed and used or intended to be used for the transportation of sick or injured persons; B. "attendant" means a person who, on a regular or irregular basis, either paid or voluntary, serves as an assistant to the driver in the operation of the ambulance; C. "department" means the department of transportation; and D. "driver" means a person who, on a regular or irregular basis, either paid or voluntary, serves as the operator of an ambulance. 1953 Comp., § 64-40-2, enacted by Laws 1974, ch. 82, § 2; 1977, ch. 156, § 1; 1998, ch. 108, § 78; 2023, ch. 100, § 66.

NMSA 1978, § 65-6-3 Legislative purpose

65-6-3. Legislative purpose The purpose of the Ambulance Standards Act is to provide uniform standards of design, equipment and operation of ambulances used in the transportation of the sick and injured, and to ensure the highest standards of competence in the ambulance drivers and attendants providing service to the public. 1953 Comp., § 64-40-3, enacted by Laws 1974, ch. 82, § 3.

NMSA 1978, § 65-6-4 Department; duties

65-6-4. Department; duties The department, in accordance with its responsibilities to regulate common carriers, shall hold public hearings as prescribed in the Motor Carrier Act [Chapter 65, Article 2A NMSA 1978] and adopt rules: A. for the establishment of reasonable, flexible standards for ambulances, including but not limited to: (1) vehicle design; (2) health and safety equipment to be maintained and used in ambulances; (3) procedures for the operation of ambulances; and (4) at least annual inspection of ambulances; and B. for the licensure of all drivers and attendants, to include: (1) minimum training requirements to include basic and advanced red cross and such other available training as the department finds reasonable and in the best interests of the public; and (2) a written and practical examination of competence limited to that material, information and training required of drivers and attendants, respectively, in the rules adopted by the department. In establishing standards for ambulances, the department shall give serious consideration to the vehicle needs and limitations imposed by the topography and road and weather conditions of various localities. Further, the department shall take into consideration the resources of the various communities, institutions and sponsoring organizations providing ambulance service to the public. 1953 Comp., § 64-40-4, enacted by Laws 1974, ch. 82, § 4; 1978 Comp., § 65-6-4; 2023, ch. 100, § 67.

NMSA 1978, § 65-6-6 Exceptions

65-6-6. Exceptions The Ambulance Standards Act does not apply to: A. gratuitous assistance by any individual in the case of an emergency; B. law enforcement officials in the pursuit of their duties; and C. ambulances owned by a private company, corporation or business used primarily for the transportation of sick or injured employees from the place of business to a hospital or other facility for treatment; however, no such ambulance may be used to transport any person from one hospital to another hospital or similar facility, or from a hospital to the sick or injured person's home. 1953 Comp., § 64-40-6, enacted by Laws 1974, ch. 82, § 6.

Source: New Mexico Compilation Commission (nmonesource.com)URL: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18568/index.doFetched: 10/20/2026