Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
Juvenile Justice & Family Law Committee |
|
HB 1016
Brief Description: Revising driving privileges for juveniles convicted of motor vehicle felonies.
Sponsors: Representative Nixon.
Brief Summary of Bill |
• Revokes a juvenile's license until age 18, or for one year, whichever is longer, if he or she is convicted for the first time of motor vehicle theft in the first or second degree or of taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first or second degree.
• Revokes a juvenile's license until age 21, or for three years, whichever is longer, if he or she receives additional convictions for motor vehicle theft in the first or second degree or for taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first or second degree. |
Hearing Date: 1/28/03
Staff: Trudes Hutcheson (786-7384).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required, by statute, to suspend or revoke a person’s driving privilege for a number of reasons, including specific criminal convictions, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In addition, the DOL must suspend or revoke a juvenile's driving privilege when the DOL receives notice from a court that the juvenile has been convicted of:
• an offense committed while armed with a firearm;
• an offense regarding the purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol; or
• a violation of the various drug laws.
For the first conviction, the DOL must revoke the juvenile's driving privilege for one year, or until the juvenile reaches 17, whichever is longer. For the second or subsequent convictions, the DOL must revoke the juvenile's driving privilege for two years or until the juvenile reaches 18, whichever is longer.
The revocation is imposed without a hearing. Each conviction results in a separate period of revocation, and periods of revocation must run consecutively. A juvenile may petition the court for reinstatement at an earlier date, but the statutes impose a certain minimum term of revocation. The decision to grant reinstatement after the statutory minimum term is within the court's discretion.
Summary of Bill:
The DOL shall revoke a juvenile's driving privilege until the juvenile is 18, or for one year, whichever is longer, if the juvenile is convicted, for the first time, of motor vehicle theft in the first or second degree or taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first or second degree.
The DOL shall revoke a juvenile's driving privilege until the juvenile is 21, or for three years, whichever is longer, if the juvenile is convicted, for the second or subsequent time, of motor vehicle theft in the first or second degree or taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first or second degree.
The DOL shall immediately reinstate a juvenile's driving privilege when the revocation period ends.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/27/03.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.