Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Judiciary Committee

SB 5260

Title:  An act relating to drivers required to use ignition interlock or other biological or technical devices.

Brief Description:  Requiring a notation in the driving record when a driver is required to use an ignition interlock or other biological or technical device.

Sponsors:  By Senators Kline, Roach, Costa, Johnson, Rossi, Shin, Kastama, Long and Regala.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Makes a driver's record rather than a driver's license the place where a notation must be made regarding the driver's required used of an ignition interlock.

Hearing Date:  3/27/01

Staff:  Bill Perry (786‑7123).

Background: 

An ignition interlock is a device that prevents a person who has recently consumed alcohol from starting a motor vehicle.

For any offense involving the use, consumption, or possession of alcohol that is committed while driving, the court may order that an ignition interlock system be installed on any car the person is to drive.  For all DUI offenders (except first-time offenders with low alcohol concentrations) the court must order the use of an interlock.  The time that the interlock must be used begins after any period of driver's license loss, and the length of required use increases with the number of times an interlock has been ordered in the past.  The periods of required use range from one year to 10 years.

The Department of Licensing  is directed to "attach or imprint" a notation on the driver's license of any person who has been ordered to use an ignition interlock.  It is a misdemeanor "for a person with such a notation" to drive a vehicle without an interlock.

Apparently, in some instances persons who have been ordered to use an interlock have not had their driver's licenses marked, and courts have refused to convict them of violating the interlock law.

Summary of Bill: 

Notations of required ignition interlock use are to be made on the driving records maintained by the Department of Licensing, rather than on the driver's license.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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