BILL REQ. #:  H-4632.1 

READ FIRST TIME 01/25/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to the regulation of ignition interlock devices; amending RCW 46.04.215; and adding new sections to chapter 43.43 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.04.215 and 2005 c 200 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     "Ignition interlock device" means breath alcohol analyzing ignition equipment or other biological or technical device certified in conformance with section 2 of this act and rules adopted by the state patrol and designed to prevent a motor vehicle from being operated by a person who has consumed an alcoholic beverage. ((The state patrol shall by rule provide standards for the certification, installation, repair, and removal of the devices.))

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The state patrol shall by rule provide standards for the certification, installation, repair, maintenance, monitoring, inspection, and removal of ignition interlock devices, as defined under RCW 46.04.215, and equipment as outlined under this section, and may inspect the records and equipment of manufacturers, vendors, and customers during regular business hours for compliance with statutes and rules and may suspend or revoke certification for any noncompliance.
     (2)(a) When an authorized service provider or individual installer of ignition interlock devices is found to be out of compliance, the installation privileges of that authorized service provider or individual installer may be suspended or revoked until the authorized service provider or individual installer comes into compliance. During any suspension or revocation period, the authorized service provider or individual installer is responsible for notifying affected customers of any changes in their service agreement.
     (b) An authorized service provider or individual installer whose certification is suspended or revoked for noncompliance has a right to an administrative hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW to contest the suspension or revocation, or both. For the administrative hearing, the procedure and rules of evidence are as specified in chapter 34.05 RCW, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Any request for an administrative hearing must be made in writing and must be received by the state patrol within twenty days after the receipt of the notice of suspension or revocation.
     (3)(a) An ignition interlock device must employ fuel cell technology. For the purposes of this subsection, "fuel cell technology" consists of the following electrochemical method: An electrolyte designed to oxidize the alcohol and release electrons to be collected by an active electrode; a current flow is generated within the electrode proportional to the amount of alcohol oxidized on the fuel cell surface; and the electrical current is measured and reported as breath alcohol concentration. Fuel cell technology is highly specific for alcohols.
     (b) To be certified, an ignition interlock device must:
     (i) Meet or exceed the minimum test standards in sections one and two of the model specifications for breath alcohol ignition interlock devices, as published in the federal register, volume 71, number 31 (57 FR 11772), or as rules are adopted. Only a notarized statement from a laboratory that is certified by the international organization of standardization and is capable of performing the tests specified will be accepted as proof of meeting or exceeding the standards. The notarized statement must include the name and signature of the person in charge of the tests under the following statement:

     "Two samples of (model name) , manufactured by (manufacturer) were tested by (laboratory) certified by the Internal Organization of Standardization. They do meet or exceed all specifications listed in the Federal Register, Volume 71, Number 31 (57 FR 11772), Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIID), NHTSA 2005-23470."; and

     (ii) Be maintained in accordance with the rules and standards adopted by the state patrol.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:
     For the purposes of section 2 of this act, companies not using ignition interlock devices that employ fuel cell technology as of the effective date of this act shall have five years from the effective date of this act to begin using ignition interlock devices that employ fuel cell technology.