SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1416

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, March 28, 2003

Title: An act relating to restoration of juvenile driving privileges.

Brief Description: Adjusting the time of restoration of a juvenile's driving privilege.

Sponsors: House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law (originally sponsored by Representatives Mielke, O'Brien, Boldt, McMahan, Schindler and Woods).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 3/28/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline, Roach and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Lidia Mori (786-7755)

Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required, by statute, to revoke a juvenile's driving privileges when DOL receives notice from a court that the juvenile has been convicted of:

      •    an offense committed while armed with a firearm;

      •    an offense regarding the purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol; or

      •    a violation of the various drug laws.

For the juvenile's first conviction, DOL must revoke the juvenile's driving privilege for one year or until the juvenile reaches 17, whichever period is longer. For second or subsequent convictions, DOL must revoke the juvenile's driving privilege for two years or until the juvenile reaches 18, whichever period is longer.

Each conviction results in a separate period of revocation. All periods of revocation imposed that could otherwise overlap must run consecutively, and no period of revocation shall begin before the expiration of all other periods of revocation. If DOL receives notice from a court that the juvenile's driving privilege should be reinstated, DOL may reinstate the privilege but only after all the juvenile's periods of revocation have expired. DOL will not issue a new license unless it is satisfied, after investigation of the driving ability of the person, that it will be safe to grant that person the privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the public highways.

Summary of Bill: A juvenile's periods of revocation, which run consecutively, shall not extend beyond the juvenile's 21st birthday. The juvenile, at the age of 21, may seek reinstatement of his or her driving privilege from DOL, and a notice from the court is not required.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill brings some parity and fairness to the current system of juvenile license suspensions and revocations. When a juvenile turns 21 years old, he or she should be able to have another chance at obtaining a driver's license.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Mielke, prime sponsor.