A. Unlawful use of food stamp identification card or medical identification card consists of the use of a food stamp or medical identification card by a person to whom it has not been issued, or who is not an authorized representative of the person to whom it has been issued, for a food stamp allotment.
B. Whoever commits unlawful use of food stamp identification card or medical identification card when the value of the food stamps or medical services wrongfully received is two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or less is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
C. Whoever commits unlawful use of food stamp identification card or medical identification card when the value of the food stamps or medical services wrongfully received is more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) but not more than five hundred dollars ($500) is guilty of a misdemeanor.
D. Whoever commits unlawful use of food stamp identification card or medical identification card when the value of the food stamps or medical services wrongfully received is more than five hundred dollars ($500) but not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) is guilty of a fourth degree felony.
E. Whoever commits unlawful use of food stamp identification card or medical identification card when the value of the food stamps or medical services wrongfully received is more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) but not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is guilty of a third degree felony.
F. Whoever commits unlawful use of food stamp identification card or medical identification card when the value of the food stamps or medical services wrongfully received exceeds twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is guilty of a second degree felony.
G. For the purpose of this section, the value of the medical assistance received is the amount paid by the human services department for medical services received through use of the medical identification card.
History: Laws 1979, ch. 170, § 2; 1987, ch. 121, § 13; 2006, ch. 29, § 19.
The 2006 amendment, effective July 1, 2006, increased the value of the stamps or services in Subsection B from $100 to $250; increased the value of the stamps or services in Subsection C from more than $100 but not more than $250 to more than $250 but not more than $500; and increased the value of the stamps or services in Subsection D from more than $250 to more than $500.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Liability of state or federal government for losses associated with distribution of food stamps, 116 A.L.R. Fed. 457.
Structure 2021 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 30 - Criminal Offenses
Article 40 - Public Assistance
Section 30-40-1 - Failing to disclose facts or change of circumstances to obtain public assistance.
Section 30-40-2 - Unlawful use of food stamp identification card or medical identification card.
Section 30-40-3 - Misappropriating public assistance.
Section 30-40-5 - Unlawful seeking [of] payment from public assistance recipients.