SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1100

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Law & Justice, February 22, 1996

Title:  An act relating to notice of actions against a juvenile's driver's license.

Brief Description:  Notifying parents of their children's driver's license suspensions.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Representatives Scott, Appelwick, Padden, Honeyford, Brumsickle, Silver, Campbell, Mitchell, Hickel, Costa and Sherstad).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  3/16/95 [DP]; 2/15/96, 2/22/96 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, McCaslin, Quigley and Schow.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senator Fairley, Vice Chair.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786-7755)

Background:  Under the motor vehicle title, the Department of Licensing must revoke a person's driver's license if the licensee was convicted of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, a second conviction within five years for driving while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug, any felony committed with a motor vehicle, and a third conviction for reckless driving within a two-year period.

A person's driver's license may be suspended for a number of reasons, including reckless or unauthorized use of a vehicle that results in injury or death to another, frequent violations of traffic regulations indicating disregard for safety of others, failure to respond to a notice of a traffic infraction, failure to appear at a requested hearing, and display or use of a fraudulent driver's license.

A juvenile's driving privileges must be revoked if the department receives notice from a court that the juvenile committed the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm, committed an offense with a firearm, or any alcohol or drug offense. 

Summary of Bill:  If the Department of Licensing takes any action under Title 46 to suspend, revoke, restrict, or condition the driver's license of an unemancipated person under 18 years of age, the department is required to mail a notice of the action to the unemancipated person's parent, parents, or guardian residing at the same address as the minor.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will allow parents to get a little more control and awareness of what is going on with their child.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Tim Schellberg, WA Assn. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.