SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6410

BYSenators Smith, Halsan, McCaslin, Patterson, Newhouse, Craswell, Hayner, Nelson, Barr, Zimmerman and Kiskaddon

Denying driving privileges to teenagers convicted of alcohol or drug offenses.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1988; February 3, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6410 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Halsan, Hayner, Madsen, Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi.

Senate Staff:Dick Armstrong (786-7460)

                  February 3, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Juveniles under the age of 18 convicted of driving while intoxicated are subject to a 90 day suspension of driving privileges or until age 19, whichever is longer on the first conviction, revocation for one year on the second conviction, and two years on a third or subsequent offense.

The Liquor Control Act makes it illegal for a person under the age of 21 to possess, consume, purchase, or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.

The Controlled Substances Act makes it illegal for any person to possess, manufacture, or sell controlled substances.

SUMMARY:

The driving privileges of a juvenile under the age of 18, but not younger than age 13 years of age, will be revoked by the Department of Licensing if the juvenile is found to have committed an offense involving the unlawful use of intoxicating liquor, controlled substances, legend drugs or imitation controlled substances.  The court must notify the Department within 24 hours after the judgment is entered. 

For the first conviction involving an alcohol or drug offense, the juvenile's privilege to drive will be revoked for one year, or until the juvenile is 17, whichever is later.  For a second or subsequent offense, the revocation will be for one year or until the year is 18 years of age, whichever is later.

A juvenile may petition the court for reinstatement of his or her driving privileges.  The juvenile's privilege to drive may not be reinstated earlier than 90 days after the judgment for the first offense, or one year for a second or subsequent offense.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A provision is added to the bill which provides that a person whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked is not subject to the 30-day mandatory "waiting period" to get an occupational driver's license if the person agrees to install an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle for a period of at least one year.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 29, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Smith, prime sponsor; Rosalie McHale, Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee; Bailey deIongh, Public Defender; Gary Edwards, Thurston County Sheriff; Jim Rabie, Washington State Law Enforcement Association; Dean Shannon, Battleground School District; Jerri Wolfe, Mothers Against Drunk Driving; John Frasie, Lewis County Sheriff's Department