New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

New Mexico House Bill HB262 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/04/2025

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HOUSE BILL 262
57
TH LEGISLATURE 
-
 
STATE
 
OF
 
NEW
 
MEXICO
 
-
 FIRST SESSION
,
 
2025
INTRODUCED BY
Rebecca Dow
AN ACT
RELATING TO ADVERTISING FOR LEGAL SERVICES; REQUIRING AN
ADVERTISEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES THAT INCLUDES MONETARY AWARDS
TO A CLIENT FOR SETTLEMENT OR JUDGMENT OF A CIVIL ACTION TO
INCLUDE THE MONETARY AMOUNT CHARGED TO THE CLIENT FOR THE CIVIL
ACTION; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING A PENALTY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 57 NMSA 1978 is
enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] ADVERTISING FOR LEGAL SERVICES--SETTLEMENT
AND JUDGMENT AMOUNTS--DISCLOSURE OF ATTORNEY FEES--CIVIL
PENALTY--ENFORCEMENT.--
A.  When an advertisement by an attorney or law firm
for legal services includes a monetary amount awarded to a
client for a settlement or judgment of a civil action, the
.229498.2 underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
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advertisement shall also disclose the monetary amount that was
charged to the client for the services rendered for that civil
action.
B.  The attorney general shall assess an attorney or
law firm that violates this section a civil penalty of five
hundred dollars ($500) for each violation.
C.  The attorney general or, with the attorney
general's permission, a district attorney in a district in
which an advertisement in violation of this section is
broadcast or published may bring a civil action in district
court to recover a civil penalty assessed pursuant to this
section.
D.  Civil penalties collected pursuant to this
section shall be deposited in the current school fund."
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the
provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
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