SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6429

BYSenators Madsen and Barr

Revoking or suspending juveniles' drivers licenses for violation of certain drug or alcohol laws.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1988

Senate Staff:Dick Armstrong (786-7460)

AS OF JANUARY 30, 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 who is found to have violated the provisions of the liquor control act or the controlled substances act will be revoked by the Department of Licensing.  The court or diversion unit must notify the Department within 24 hours after the judgment is entered or the diversion agreement is signed. For the first conviction or agreement 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 privilege to drive will be revoked for one year or until the juvenile is 18, 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.

If the juvenile signed a diversion agreement, the diversion unit must notify the department when the juvenile completes the agreement.  The department may not reinstate the juvenile's driving privileges until 90 days after the agreement was signed for a first offense, or until one year after the agreement was signed for a second or subsequent offense.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 29, 1988