BILL REQ. #:  S-0362.1 

Read first time 01/17/2007.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to requirements for ignition interlock devices; and amending RCW 46.20.391.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.20.391 and 2004 c 95 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Any person licensed under this chapter who is convicted of an offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of the driver's license is mandatory, other than vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, or who has had his or her license suspended, revoked, or denied under RCW 46.20.3101, may submit to the department an application for a temporary restricted driver's license. The department, upon receipt of the prescribed fee and upon determining that the petitioner is eligible to receive the license, may issue a temporary restricted driver's license and may set definite restrictions as provided in RCW 46.20.394. No person may petition for, and the department shall not issue, a temporary restricted driver's license that is effective during the first thirty days of any suspension or revocation imposed for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or, for a suspension, revocation, or denial imposed under RCW 46.20.3101, during the required minimum portion of the periods of suspension, revocation, or denial established under (c) of this subsection.
     (b) An applicant under this subsection whose driver's license is suspended or revoked for an alcohol-related offense shall provide proof to the satisfaction of the department that a functioning ignition interlock device has been installed on a vehicle owned or operated by the person. This proof of an ignition interlock device shall not be necessary if the applicant provides a declaration that he or she does not own a vehicle, and is employed in a position that requires that he or she drive an employer's vehicle during working hours.
     (i) The department shall require the person to maintain such a device on a vehicle owned or operated by the person and shall restrict the person to operating only vehicles equipped with such a device, for the remainder of the period of suspension, revocation, or denial. The device shall not be required on vehicles owned by a person's employer and driven as a requirement of employment, and during working hours only.
     (ii) Subject to any periodic renewal requirements established by the department pursuant to this section and subject to any applicable compliance requirements under this chapter or other law, a temporary restricted driver's license granted after a suspension or revocation under RCW 46.61.5055 or 46.20.3101 extends through the remaining portion of any concurrent or consecutive suspension or revocation that may be imposed as the result of administrative action and criminal conviction arising out of the same incident.
     (iii) The time period during which the person is licensed under this section shall apply on a day-for-day basis toward satisfying the period of time the ignition interlock device restriction is required under RCW 46.20.720 (1) and (2) (a), (b), and (c).
     (c) The department shall provide by rule the minimum portions of the periods of suspension, revocation, or denial set forth in RCW 46.20.3101 after which a person may apply for a temporary restricted driver's license under this section. In establishing the minimum portions of the periods of suspension, revocation, or denial, the department shall consider the requirements of federal law regarding state eligibility for grants or other funding, and shall establish such periods so as to ensure that the state will maintain its eligibility, or establish eligibility, to obtain incentive grants or any other federal funding.
     (2)(a) A person licensed under this chapter whose driver's license is suspended administratively due to failure to appear or pay a traffic ticket under RCW 46.20.289; a violation of the financial responsibility laws under chapter 46.29 RCW; or for multiple violations within a specified period of time under RCW 46.20.291, may apply to the department for an occupational driver's license.
     (b) If the suspension is for failure to respond, pay, or comply with a notice of traffic infraction or conviction, the applicant must enter into a payment plan with the court.
     (c) An occupational driver's license issued to an applicant described in (a) of this subsection shall be valid for the period of the suspension or revocation.
     (3) An applicant for an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license who qualifies under subsection (1) or (2) of this section is eligible to receive such license only if:
     (a) Within seven years immediately preceding the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction or incident, the applicant has not committed vehicular homicide under RCW 46.61.520 or vehicular assault under RCW 46.61.522; and
     (b) The applicant demonstrates that it is necessary for him or her to operate a motor vehicle because he or she:
     (i) Is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that he or she operate a motor vehicle;
     (ii) Is undergoing continuing health care or providing continuing care to another who is dependent upon the applicant;
     (iii) Is enrolled in an educational institution and pursuing a course of study leading to a diploma, degree, or other certification of successful educational completion;
     (iv) Is undergoing substance abuse treatment or is participating in meetings of a twelve-step group such as Alcoholics Anonymous that requires the petitioner to drive to or from the treatment or meetings;
     (v) Is fulfilling court-ordered community service responsibilities;
     (vi) Is in a program that assists persons who are enrolled in a WorkFirst program pursuant to chapter 74.08A RCW to become gainfully employed and the program requires a driver's license;
     (vii) Is in an apprenticeship, on-the-job training, or welfare-to-work program; or
     (viii) Presents evidence that he or she has applied for a position in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program for which a driver's license is required to begin the program, provided that a license granted under this provision shall be in effect for no longer than fourteen days; and
     (c) The applicant files satisfactory proof of financial responsibility under chapter 46.29 RCW; and
     (d) Upon receipt of evidence that a holder of an occupational driver's license granted under this subsection is no longer enrolled in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program, the director shall give written notice by first class mail to the driver that the occupational driver's license shall be canceled. The effective date of cancellation shall be fifteen days from the date of mailing the notice. If at any time before the cancellation goes into effect the driver submits evidence of continued enrollment in the program, the cancellation shall be stayed. If the cancellation becomes effective, the driver may obtain, at no additional charge, a new occupational driver's license upon submittal of evidence of enrollment in another program that meets the criteria set forth in this subsection; and
     (e) The department shall not issue an occupational driver's license under (b)(iv) of this subsection if the applicant is able to receive transit services sufficient to allow for the applicant's participation in the programs referenced under (b)(iv) of this subsection.
     (4) A person aggrieved by the decision of the department on the application for an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license may request a hearing as provided by rule of the department.
     (5) The director shall cancel an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license upon receipt of notice that the holder thereof has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of its restrictions, or of a separate offense that under chapter 46.20 RCW would warrant suspension or revocation of a regular driver's license. The cancellation is effective as of the date of the conviction, and continues with the same force and effect as any suspension or revocation under this title.