Section 61-27B-8 - Private investigation company; requirements for licensure. (Repealed effective July 1, 2012.)

61-27B-8. Private investigation company; requirements for licensure. (Repealed effective July 1, 2012.)

A.     The department shall issue a license for a private investigation company to a person that files a completed application accompanied by the required fees and that submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant: 

(1)     if an individual, is of good moral character; or if a legal business entity, the owners, officers or directors of the entity are of good moral character; 

(2)     if an individual, has not been convicted of a felony offense, an offense involving dishonesty, an offense involving an intentional violent act or the illegal use or possession of a deadly weapon and has not been found to have violated professional ethical standards; or if a legal business entity, the owners, officers or directors of the entity, either singly or collectively, have not been convicted of a felony offense or an offense involving intentional violent acts or the illegal use or possession of deadly weapons and have not been found to have violated professional ethical standards;  

(3)     maintains a surety bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000); however, private investigators who provide personal protection or bodyguard services shall maintain general liability insurance as specified in the Private Investigations Act [61-27B-1 NMSA 1978] in lieu of the surety bond required by the provisions of this paragraph; 

(4)     has an owner or a licensed private investigations manager who is licensed as a private investigator and who manages the daily operations of the private investigation company; 

(5)     maintains a physical location in New Mexico where records are maintained and made available for department inspection; 

(6)     maintains a New Mexico registered agent if the applicant is a private investigation company located outside of New Mexico; and 

(7)     meets all other requirements set forth in the rules of the department.  

B.     The owner or the chief executive officer of a private investigation company that provides personal protection or bodyguard services shall maintain a general liability certificate of insurance in an amount required by the department.  The department shall suspend the license issued pursuant to this section of a private investigation company that fails to maintain an effective general liability certificate of insurance as required.  The department shall not reinstate the license of a private investigation company that has had its license suspended pursuant to this subsection until an application is submitted to the department with the necessary fees and a copy of the private investigation company's general liability certificate of insurance in effect.  The department may deny an application for reinstatement of a private investigation company's license, notwithstanding the applicant's compliance with this subsection for: 

(1)     a reason that would justify a denial to issue a new private investigation company license or that would be cause for a suspension or revocation of a private investigation company's license; or 

(2)     the performance by the applicant of an act requiring a license issued pursuant to the Private Investigations Act while the applicant's license is under suspension for failure to maintain the applicant's general liability certificate of insurance in effect.