1128-S AMS LAW S2978.1

1128-S AMS LAW S2978.1

SHB 1128 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Law & Justice

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"Sec. 1. RCW 46.61.515 and 1985 c 352 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than twenty-four consecutive hours nor more than one year, and by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars and not more than one thousand dollars. Unless the judge finds the person to be indigent, two hundred fifty dollars of the fine shall not be suspended or deferred. Twenty-four consecutive hours of the jail sentence shall not be suspended or deferred unless the judge finds that the imposition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the defendant's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based. The court may impose conditions of probation that may include nonrepetition, alcohol or drug treatment, supervised probation, or other conditions that may be appropriate. The convicted person shall, in addition, be required to complete a course in an alcohol information school approved by the department of social and health services or more intensive treatment in a program approved by the department of social and health services, as determined by the court. A diagnostic evaluation and treatment recommendation shall be prepared under the direction of the court by an alcoholism agency approved by the department of social and health services or a qualified probation department approved by the department of social and health services. A copy of the report shall be forwarded to the department of licensing. Based on the diagnostic evaluation, the court shall determine whether the convicted person shall be required to complete a course in an alcohol information school approved by the department of social and health services or more intensive treatment in a program approved by the department of social and health services. Standards for approval for alcohol treatment programs shall be prescribed by rule under the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. The courts shall periodically review the costs of alcohol information schools and treatment programs within their jurisdictions.

(2) On a second or subsequent conviction for driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs within a five-year period a person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than seven days nor more than one year and by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars and not more than two thousand dollars. District courts and courts organized under chapter 35.20 RCW are authorized to impose such fine. Unless the judge finds the person to be indigent, five hundred dollars of the fine shall not be suspended or deferred. The jail sentence shall not be suspended or deferred unless the judge finds that the imposition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the defendant's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based. If, at the time of a second or subsequent conviction, the driver is without a license or permit because of a previous suspension or revocation, the minimum mandatory sentence shall be ninety days in jail and a two hundred dollar fine. The penalty so imposed shall not be suspended or deferred. The person shall, in addition, be required to complete a diagnostic evaluation by an alcoholism agency approved by the department of social and health services or a qualified probation department approved by the department of social and health services. The report shall be forwarded to the department of licensing. If the person is found to have an alcohol or drug problem requiring treatment, the person shall complete treatment at an approved alcoholism treatment ((~~facility~~)) program or approved drug treatment center.

In addition to any nonsuspendable and nondeferrable jail sentence required by this subsection, the court shall sentence a person to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one hundred eighty days and shall suspend but shall not defer the sentence for a period not exceeding two years. The suspension of the sentence may be conditioned upon nonrepetition, alcohol or drug treatment, supervised probation, or other conditions that may be appropriate. The sentence may be imposed in whole or in part upon violation of a condition of suspension during the suspension period.

(3) The license or permit to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall:

(a) On the first conviction under either offense, be suspended by the department until the person reaches age nineteen or for ninety days, whichever is longer. The department of licensing shall determine the person's eligibility for licensing based upon the reports provided by the designated alcoholism agency or probation department and shall deny reinstatement until enrollment and participation in an approved program has been established and the person is otherwise qualified;

(b) On a second conviction under either offense within a five-year period, be revoked by the department for one year. The department of licensing shall determine the person's eligibility for licensing based upon the reports provided by the designated alcoholism agency or probation department and shall deny reinstatement until satisfactory progress in an approved program has been established and the person is otherwise qualified;

(c) On a third or subsequent conviction of driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, vehicular homicide, or vehicular assault, or any combination thereof within a five-year period, be revoked by the department for two years.

(4) In any case provided for in this section, where a driver's license is to be revoked or suspended, the revocation or suspension shall be stayed and shall not take effect until after the determination of any appeal from the conviction which may lawfully be taken, but in case the conviction is sustained on appeal the revocation or suspension takes effect as of the date that the conviction becomes effective for other purposes.

(5)(a) In addition to penalties set forth in this section, a one hundred twenty-five dollar fee shall be assessed to a person who is either convicted, sentenced to a lesser charge, or given deferred prosecution, as a result of an arrest for violating RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.520, or 46.61.522. This fee is for the purpose of funding the Washington state toxicology laboratory and the Washington state patrol breath test program.

(b) Upon a verified petition by the person assessed the fee, the court may suspend payment of all or part of the fee if it finds that the person does not have the ability to pay.

(c) When a minor has been adjudicated a juvenile offender for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.520, or 46.61.522, the court shall assess the one hundred twenty-five dollar fee under (a) of this subsection. Upon a verified petition by a minor assessed the fee, the court may suspend payment of all or part of the fee if it finds that the minor does not have the ability to pay the fee.

(6) The fee assessed under subsection (5) of this section shall be collected by the clerk of the court and distributed as follows:

(a) Forty percent shall be subject to distribution under RCW 43.08.250.

(b) If the case involves a blood test by the state toxicology laboratory, the remainder of the fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the death investigations account to be used solely for funding the state toxicology laboratory blood testing program.

(c) Otherwise, the remainder of the fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the state patrol highway account to be used solely for funding the Washington state patrol breath test program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The Washington state patrol in conjunction with the traffic safety commission shall use a small percentage of the revenues generated under the 1993 amendments to RCW 46.61.515 contained in section 1, chapter ..., Laws of 1993 (section 1 of this act), to perform a study to determine a mechanism for evaluating the best practice for increasing the conviction rate for persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The study must be completed and a report made to the appropriate committees of the legislature by June 30, 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The 1993 amendments to section 1 of this act expire June 30, 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993."

SHB 1128 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Law & Justice

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "testing;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 46.61.515; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency."