SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 415

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Dellwo, Padden, Walk, P. King and Amondson)

Authorizing approved alcohol/drug treatment agencies to obtain driving records.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar, Smitherman, West.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  March 27, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Licensing maintains a case record on every motor vehicle driver licensed in the State of Washington.  This record consists of all convictions and findings of traffic infractions certified by the courts, together with a an index cross reference record of each accident reported relating to such individual with a brief statement of the cause of the accident.

The case record is maintained in two parts.  One part, referred to as the "employment driving record", contains information relating to accidents, motor vehicle law convictions and findings of traffic infractions committed while the person was operating a commercial motor vehicle as either an owner-operator or as an employee of another.  The second part of the case record, commonly referred to as a "personal driving record", contains all other accidents, convictions and findings that the person has committed a traffic infraction.

Upon a conviction for driving while intoxicated under RCW 46.61.515, a person is required to either complete a course in an alcohol information school or more intensive treatment in a program approved by the Department of Social and Health Services.  The court makes this decision based on a diagnostic evaluation and treatment recommendation prepared by an alcoholism agency approved by the Department of Social and Health Services.

The Department of Licensing is not authorized to release an individual's personal or employment driving record directly to an alcoholism treatment agency.  This information is thought to be highly relevant in the agency's evaluation of the individual's possible alcohol related problems.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing is specifically authorized to release an individual's personal and employment driving record to an alcohol/drug assessment or treatment agency approved by the Department of Social and Health Services to which the individual has applied or been assigned for evaluation or treatment.  This record may cover a period of not more than five years. No authorization is provided for release of the employment driving record.

City attorneys and county prosecutors are authorized to release an individual's driving record to an approved alcohol/drug treatment agency.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Dennis Dellwo, sponsor