File No. 551

House of Representatives, April 19, 2012

The Committee on Judiciary reported through REP. FOX, G. of the 146th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 14-111 of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2013):

(i) (1) Whenever any person has been convicted of any violation of section 14-110, 14-147, 14-215, as amended by this act, 14-222 or 14-224 and such person's license has been suspended by the commissioner, such person may make application to the commissioner for the reversal or reduction of the term of such suspension. Such application shall be in writing and shall state specifically the reasons why such applicant believes that the applicant is entitled to such reversal or reduction. The commissioner shall consider each such application and the applicant's driver control record, as defined in section 14-111h, and may grant a hearing to the applicant in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and section 14-4a.

(2) Any person whose license has been revoked in accordance with subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, may, at any time after [six] two years from the date of such revocation, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, and the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection for reversal or reduction of such revocation. The commissioner shall require such person to provide evidence that any reversal or reduction of such revocation shall not endanger the public safety or welfare. Such evidence shall include, but not be limited to, proof that such person has successfully completed an alcohol education and treatment program, and proof that such person has not been convicted of any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during the preceding [six] two years. The commissioner shall require any person, as a condition of granting such reversal or reduction, to install and maintain an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act. The approved ignition interlock device shall be installed and maintained for [a period of ten years after the date of the granting of such reversal or reduction] any period during the lifetime of such person in which such person owns or operates a motor vehicle. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec. 2. Subsection (g) of section 14-227a of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012):

(g) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j; (2) for conviction of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: [perform] (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) (i) if such person is under twenty-one years of age at the time of the offense, have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days or until the date of such person's twenty-first birthday, whichever is longer, and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an appointment with a probation officer or an ignition interlock device service center, or (ii) if such person is twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the offense, have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an appointment with a probation officer or an ignition interlock device service center; and (3) for conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: [perform] (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person's suspension is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under the provisions of either subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, a conviction under the provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense.

Sec. 3. Subsection (i) of section 14-227a of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012):

(i) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall permit a person whose license has been suspended in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) or subparagraph (C)(i) or (C)(ii) of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section, as amended by this act, to operate a motor vehicle if (A) such person has served the suspension required under said subparagraph, notwithstanding that such person has not completed serving any suspension required under subsection (i) of section 14-227b, and (B) such person has installed an approved ignition interlock device in each motor vehicle owned or to be operated by such person, and verifies to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, that such device has been installed. For a period of one year after the installation of an ignition interlock device by a person who is subject to subparagraph (C)(i) or (C)(ii) of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section, as amended by this act, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an appointment with a probation officer or an ignition interlock device service center. Except as provided in sections 53a-56b and 53a-60d, no person whose license is suspended by the commissioner for any other reason shall be eligible to operate a motor vehicle equipped with an approved ignition interlock device.

(2) All costs of installing and maintaining an ignition interlock device shall be borne by the person required to install such device. No court sentencing a person convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section may waive any fees or costs associated with the installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device.

(3) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection. The regulations shall establish procedures for the approval of ignition interlock devices, for the proper calibration and maintenance of such devices and for the installation of such devices by any firm approved and authorized by the commissioner and shall specify acts by persons required to install and use such devices that constitute a failure to comply with the requirements for the installation and use of such devices, the conditions under which such noncompliance will result in an extension of the period during which such persons are restricted to the operation of motor vehicles equipped with such devices and the duration of any such extension. The commissioner shall ensure that such firm provide notice to both the commissioner and the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch whenever a person required to install such device commits a violation with respect to the installation, maintenance or use of such device.

(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to authorize the continued operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device by any person whose operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is withdrawn, suspended or revoked for any other reason.

(5) The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any person whose license has been suspended in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) or subparagraph (C)(i) or (C)(ii) of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section, as amended by this act, on or after January 1, 2012.

(6) Whenever a person is permitted by the commissioner under this subsection to operate a motor vehicle if such person has installed an approved ignition interlock device in each motor vehicle owned or to be operated by such person, the commissioner shall indicate in the electronic record maintained by the commissioner pertaining to such person's operator's license or driving history that such person is restricted to operating a motor vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock device and, if applicable, that such person's operation of a motor vehicle is limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an appointment with a probation officer or an ignition interlock device service center, and the duration of such restriction or limitation, and shall ensure that such electronic record is accessible by law enforcement officers. Any such person shall pay the commissioner a fee of one hundred dollars prior to the installation of such device. [Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the commissioner to verify that each motor vehicle owned by such person has been equipped with such device.]

(7) There is established the ignition interlock administration account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account in the General Fund. The commissioner shall deposit all fees paid pursuant to subdivision (6) of this subsection in the account. Funds in the account may be used by the commissioner for the administration of this subsection.

(8) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, upon request of any person convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section whose operator's license is under suspension on January 1, 2012, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may reduce the term of suspension prescribed in subsection (g) of this section, as amended by this act, and place a restriction on the operator's license of such person that restricts the holder of such license to the operation of a motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the remainder of such prescribed period of suspension.

(9) Any person required to install an ignition interlock device under this section shall be supervised by personnel of the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch while such person is subject to probation supervision or by personnel of the Department of Motor Vehicles if such person is not subject to probation supervision, and such person shall be subject to any other terms and conditions as the commissioner may prescribe and any provision of the general statutes or the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection not inconsistent herewith.

(10) Notwithstanding the periods prescribed in subsection (g) of this section, as amended by this act, and subdivision (2) of subsection [(k)] (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act, during which a person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, such periods may be extended in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection.

Sec. 4. Section 14-227k of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012):

(a) No person whose right to operate a motor vehicle has been restricted pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of section 14-227j or by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act, shall (1) request or solicit another person to blow into an ignition interlock device or to start a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device for the purpose of providing such person with an operable motor vehicle, or (2) operate any motor vehicle not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device or any motor vehicle that a court has ordered such person not to operate.

(b) No person shall tamper with, alter or bypass the operation of an ignition interlock device for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person whose right to operate a motor vehicle has been restricted pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of section 14-227j or by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act.

(c) (1) Any person who violates any provision of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.

(2) Any person who violates any provision of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsection (c) of section 14-215, as amended by this act.

(d) Each court shall report each conviction under subsection (a) or (b) of this section to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-141. The commissioner shall suspend the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of the person reported as convicted for a period of one year.

Sec. 5. Subsection (c) of section 14-215 of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012):

(c) (1) Any person who operates any motor vehicle during the period such person's operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state is under suspension or revocation on account of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227a or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or pursuant to section 14-227b, or in violation of a restriction or limitation placed on such person's operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of section 14-227j, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than one year, and, in the absence of any mitigating circumstances as determined by the court, thirty consecutive days of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced in any manner.

(2) Any person who operates any motor vehicle during the period such person's operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state is under suspension or revocation on account of a second violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227a or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or for the second time pursuant to section 14-227b, or in violation of a restriction or limitation placed for the second time on such person's operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of section 14-227j, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than two years, and, in the absence of any mitigating circumstances as determined by the court, one hundred twenty consecutive days of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced in any manner.

(3) Any person who operates any motor vehicle during the period such person's operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state is under suspension or revocation on account of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227a or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or for the third or subsequent time pursuant to section 14-227b, or in violation of a restriction placed for the third or subsequent time on such person's operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of section 14-227j, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than three years, and, in the absence of any mitigating circumstances as determined by the court, one year of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced in any manner.

(4) The court shall specifically state in writing for the record the mitigating circumstances, or the absence thereof.

Sec. 6. Subsection (l) of section 14-227a of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012):

(l) If the court sentences a person convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section to a period of probation, the court may require as a condition of such probation that such person participate in a victim impact panel program approved by the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial [Department] Branch. Such victim impact panel program shall provide a nonconfrontational forum for the victims of alcohol-related or drug-related offenses and offenders to share experiences on the impact of alcohol-related or drug-related incidents in their lives. Such victim impact panel program shall be conducted by a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of victims of accidents caused by persons who operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both. Such organization may assess a participation fee of not more than [twenty-five] seventy-five dollars on any person required by the court to participate in such program.

Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Any person whose motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is suspended under subsection (g) of section 14-227a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, for a conviction of a violation of subsection (a) of said section or under section 14-227b of the general statutes for a second or subsequent violation shall, if required by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, participate in a treatment program which includes an assessment of the degree of alcohol abuse and treatment, as appropriate, approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner shall not reinstate the operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of any such participant until such participant submits evidence to the commissioner that such participant has complied with the requirements of this section. Any person whose certificate is suspended or revoked pursuant to section 15-132a, 15-133, 15-140l or 15-140n of the general statutes shall participate in such treatment program.

(b) The treatment program shall be designed by the commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the Motor Vehicle Operator's License Medical Advisory Board established pursuant to section 14-46b of the general statutes, any state agency or any other public or private entity engaged in the provision of responsible services for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction as the commissioner may request. The program shall consist of intensive treatment and a phase of continuing aftercare supervision and monitoring on an individual basis. The program may be provided by one or more private organizations approved by the commissioner which meet qualifications established by the commissioner, provided the entire costs of the program shall be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amounts of which shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner.

(c) Upon receipt of notification from the commissioner of the requirement to participate in the program, such person may petition the commissioner in writing for a waiver of such requirement on the following grounds: (1) The petitioner is presently undergoing a substance abuse treatment program for alcohol or drug addiction, or has completed such a program subsequent to the petitioner's most recent arrest, either as a result of an order of the Superior Court or on a voluntary basis, and (2) the petitioner does not, in the opinion of a licensed physician based upon a personal examination, (A) have a current addiction problem that affects the petitioner's ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner, or (B) pose a significant risk of having such an addiction problem in the foreseeable future. In reviewing and determining whether to grant any such petition, the commissioner shall request and give due consideration to the advice of the Motor Vehicle Operator's License Medical Advisory Board. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner may appeal such decision in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes.

Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Any person whose motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege was suspended under subsection (g) of section 14-227a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, for a conviction of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227a of the general statutes or under section 14-227b of the general statutes for a second or subsequent violation, and any person whose certificate was suspended or revoked pursuant to section 15-132a, 15-133, 15-140l or 15-140n of the general statutes, who was participating in a treatment program under section 14-227f of the general statutes in effect on December 31, 2011, or eligible to participate in said program on December 31, 2011, may complete participation in such program or an equivalent program designated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and seek reinstatement of the operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of such person if (1) the person commences participation in such program not later than December 31, 2012, and (2) the person submits evidence to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that such person has complied with the requirements of section 14-227f of the general statutes not later than June 30, 2014.

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst's professional knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact: None

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill makes changes to the restrictions imposed on drivers with ignition interlock devices, which has no fiscal impact on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Reinstating an alcohol and drug addiction treatment program designed by DMV and changing the participation fee for the victim impact panel program have no fiscal impact because neither program is funded by the state.

OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5553

AN ACT CONCERNING SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS.

SUMMARY:

This bill makes a number of changes to the driving under the influence (DUI) laws. Among these changes, it:

1. places an additional restriction on driving with an ignition interlock device after a second DUI conviction;

2. allows a DUI offender whose license is permanently revoked to request restoration sooner but requires lifetime use of an ignition interlock device after restoration;

3. reinstates an alcohol and drug addiction treatment program with two changes and allows anyone who was participating in the program or eligible to participate in it when it was eliminated on December 31, 2011 to complete it or an equivalent program designated by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) commissioner and seek license reinstatement if he or she (a) begins participation by December 31, 2012 and (b) submits evidence of compliance with the prior law by June 30, 2014;

4. increases, from $25 to $75, the maximum participation fee an organization conducting a victim impact panel program can charge a DUI offender who is ordered to attend the program by the court (currently they can charge a $75 fee for panels in the pretrial alcohol education program); and

5. makes technical and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2012; except (1) January 1, 2013, for the required lifetime ignition interlock use after license reinstatement for third or subsequent DUI offenders and (2) upon passage, for restoration of the alcohol and drug addiction treatment program and the provision on people participating in or eligible for it on December 31, 2011.

IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES

After a second DUI conviction, the law requires an offender to operate a motor vehicle with an ignition interlock for three years after his or her license suspension period ends. The bill additionally limits driving during the first year with the interlock after license restoration to driving to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, appointment with a probation officer, or ignition interlock service center. The commissioner must note this restriction on the driver's electronic records, as she does for current ignition interlock requirements.

For a third or subsequent DUI conviction, the law requires an offender's license to be permanently revoked, but he or she can request a reversal or reduction. The bill reduces the period the offender must wait before requesting a restoration hearing from six to two years. If his or her license is restored, the bill requires use of an ignition interlock device as long as he or she drives a vehicle, instead of only 10 years after license restoration.

By law, the DMV commissioner can extend periods of required ignition interlock device use beyond those required in the statute under regulations she adopts (CGS § 14-227a(i)(10)).

For use of an ignition interlock device after a first or second DUI conviction, the bill requires the offender to verify to the commissioner, in a way the commissioner requires, that the device is installed. Prior law specified that the commissioner did not have to verify installation of the devices.

TREATMENT PROGRAMS

PA 11-48 and PA 11-51, effective January 1, 2012, eliminated the alcohol and drug addiction treatment program. This program was required for people with (1) licenses suspended for DUI convictions or two or more administrative per se violations and (2) boating certificates suspended or revoked for 2^nd degree manslaughter with a vessel (which involves operating under the influence), operating a vessel under the influence, or 1^st or 2^nd degree reckless operation of a vessel under the influence convictions. A person had to complete the program before DMV could consider reinstating the offender's driver's license.

The bill reinstates this program with two changes: (1) those with suspended licenses due to DUI convictions or administrative per se violations only participate if required by DMV and (2) DMV's authority to adopt regulations to implement the program is not restored.

Prior law, reinstated by the bill:

1. requires the treatment program to include (a) a DMV-approved alcohol abuse and treatment assessment, (b) intensive treatment, and (c) continuing aftercare supervision and monitoring on an individual basis;

2. requires the DMV commissioner to design the treatment program with advice and assistance from (a) the Motor Vehicle Operator's License Medical Advisory Board, (b) any state agency, or (c) any public or private entity that provides responsible services to treat alcohol and drug addiction;

3. allows the DMV commissioner to approve private organizations to provide the program if they meet her qualifications and the DMV-approved fees charged participants pay the program's costs;

4. allows a person to petition in writing to waive participation in the program if he or she (a) is undergoing or recently completed a substance abuse treatment program and (2) does not, based on a licensed physician's examination, have a current addiction problem affecting the ability to drive or a significant risk of having one; and

5. allows a person to appeal DMV's decision according to the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act.

Court Ordered Treatment

For second and subsequent DUI convictions, the bill requires an offender to submit to an alcohol or drug abuse assessment through the Judicial Branch's Court Support Services Division and undergo a treatment program if ordered to do so by the court. Existing law allows the court to order a DUI offender to participate in an alcohol education and treatment program (CGS § 14-227a(j)).

BACKGROUND

DUI Suspensions

By law, motorists convicted of DUI are subject to imprisonment, a fine, and suspension of their driver's licenses. Table 1 shows the DUI suspension period penalties the law imposes.

Table 1: License Suspensions for DUI violations

Administrative Per Se Suspensions

These are suspensions the commissioner must impose on drivers who refuse to submit to a test or whose test results indicate an elevated blood alcohol content (BAC); they are in addition to any suspension penalties imposed for conviction of any criminal DUI charge. By law, the commissioner must suspend the license of a person with a BAC of between 0.08 and 0.16 for 90 days for a first offense; nine months for a second offense; and two years for a third or subsequent offense. The license suspension period for a driver who refuses to take a test is six months for a first offense, one year for a second offense, and three years for a third or subsequent offense.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Judiciary Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute