SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1282

As of March 31, 2015

Title: An act relating to the crime of driving while license suspended where the suspension is based on noncompliance with a child support order.

Brief Description: Addressing the crime of driving while license suspended where the suspension is based on noncompliance with a child support order.

Sponsors: Representatives Zeiger, Goodman, Klippert, Orwall, Appleton, Sawyer and Gregerson.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/04/15, 94-3.

Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 3/30/15.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: A person commits the crime of driving while their license is revoked in the first degree if they are driving a motor vehicle when an order of revocation is in effect based on a finding by the Department of Licensing (DOL) that their license is revoked in the first degree or that they are a habitual traffic offender. This is a gross misdemeanor.

Driving while license suspended in the second degree, also a gross misdemeanor, is committed when a person drives a motor vehicle when their license is suspended for the following:

• a conviction of a felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used;

• a previous conviction for driving while license suspended in the second degree;

• a notice received by DOL from a court or diversion unit relating to a minor who has committed, or who has entered a diversion unit concerning an offense relating to alcohol, legend drugs, controlled substances, or imitation controlled substances;

• a conviction relating to the violation of restrictions of an occupational driver's license, a temporary restricted driver's license, or an ignition interlock driver's license;

• a conviction for operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license;

• a conviction relating to the duty in case of injury to or death of a person or damage to an attended vehicle;

• a conviction for attempting to elude pursuing police vehicles;

• a conviction relating to reckless endangerment of emergency zone workers;

• a conviction for reckless driving;

• a conviction for driving or having physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;

• a conviction for vehicular homicide;

• a conviction for vehicular assault;

• a conviction for reckless endangerment of roadway workers;

• a conviction for racing vehicles on highways;

• a conviction for leaving children in an unattended vehicle with motor running;

• a conviction for theft of motor vehicle fuel;

• a conviction for attempting, aiding, abetting, coercing, and committing crimes;

• an administrative action taken by DOL;

• a conviction of a local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution of a political subdivision of this state, the federal government, or any other state, of an offense substantially similar to a violation included above; or

• a finding that a person has committed a traffic infraction for negligent driving in the second degree and suspension of driving privileges for that violation.

A person commits the crime of driving while their license is revoked in the third degree, a misdemeanor, if they are driving a motor vehicle while an order is in effect that suspends or revokes their driver's license or privileges because:

• the person failed to furnish proof of satisfactory progress in a required alcoholism or drug treatment program;

• the person failed to furnish proof of financial responsibility for the future;

• the person failed to comply with the provisions relating to uninsured accidents;

• the person failed to respond to a notice of traffic infraction, failed to appear at a requested hearing, violated a written promise to appear in court, or failed to comply with the terms of a notice of traffic infraction or citation;

• the person committed an offense in another state that, if committed in this state, would not be grounds for the suspension or revocation of the person's driver's license;

• the person has been suspended or revoked by reason of one or more of the items listed in the driving while license suspended in the second degree offense, but was eligible to reinstate the person's driver's license or driving privilege at the time of the violation; or

• the person has received traffic citations or notices of traffic infraction relating to intermediate driver's licenses that resulted in a suspension.

Summary of Bill: In addition to the factors already enumerated as a violation of driving while license suspended in the third degree, the person commits the offense if the person has been certified by the Department of Social and Health Services as a person who is out of compliance with a child support order.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The present statute is unclear and judges are experiencing difficulty applying it. This clarification will make the license suspension enforceable. The license suspension is meant to be a coercive measure, not a punishment. Payment plans are available to help the person get into compliance. This will also help clarify the law for officers in the field.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Goodman; Doug Levy, cities of Puyallup and Redmond; Chief Bryan Jeter, Puyallup Police Dept.; Larry Mitchell, city of Redmond Prosecutor; Wally McClure, Dept. of Social and Health Services Child Support; James McMahan, WA Assn. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying: No one.