2016 -- H 8362

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LC006242

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

     

     Introduced By: Representative Gregg Amore

     Date Introduced: June 17, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 31-27-2, 31-27-2.1 and 31-27-2.8 of the General Laws in Chapter

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31-27 entitled "Motor Vehicle Offenses" are hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-27-2. Driving under influence of liquor or drugs. -- (a) Whoever drives or

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otherwise operates any vehicle in the state while under the influence of any intoxicating liquor,

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drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any

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combination of these, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor except as provided in subdivision (d)(3)

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and shall be punished as provided in subsection (d) of this section.

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      (b) (1) Any person charged under subsection (a) of this section whose blood alcohol

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concentration is eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or more by weight, as shown by a

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chemical analysis of a blood, breath, or urine sample, shall be guilty of violating subsection (a) of

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this section. This provision shall not preclude a conviction based on other admissible evidence.

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Proof of guilt under this section may also be based on evidence that the person charged was under

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the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance defined in chapter

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28 of title 21, or any combination of these, to a degree that rendered the person incapable of

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safely operating a vehicle. The fact that any person charged with violating this section is, or has

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been, legally entitled to use alcohol or a drug shall not constitute a defense against any charge of

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violating this section.

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      (2) Whoever drives, or otherwise operates, any vehicle in the state with a blood presence

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of any scheduled controlled substance as defined within chapter 28 of title 21, as shown by

 

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analysis of a blood or urine sample, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as

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provided in subsection (d) of this section.

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      (c) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of subsection (a) of this section, evidence

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as to the amount of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter

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28 of title 21, or any combination of these, in the defendant's blood at the time alleged as shown

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by a chemical analysis of the defendant's breath, blood, or urine or other bodily substance, shall

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be admissible and competent, provided that evidence is presented that the following conditions

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have been complied with:

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      (1) The defendant has consented to the taking of the test upon which the analysis is

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made. Evidence that the defendant had refused to submit to the test shall not be admissible unless

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the defendant elects to testify.

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      (2) A true copy of the report of the test result was mailed within seventy-two (72) hours

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of the taking of the test to the person submitting to a breath test.

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      (3) Any person submitting to a chemical test of blood, urine, or other body fluids shall

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have a true copy of the report of the test result mailed to him or her within thirty (30) days

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following the taking of the test.

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      (4) The test was performed according to methods and with equipment approved by the

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director of the department of health of the state of Rhode Island and by an authorized individual.

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      (5) Equipment used for the conduct of the tests by means of breath analysis had been

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tested for accuracy within thirty (30) days preceding the test by personnel qualified as

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hereinbefore provided, and breathalyzer operators shall be qualified and certified by the

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department of health within three hundred sixty-five (365) days of the test.

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      (6) The person arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the

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influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of

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title 21, or, any combination of these in violation of subsection (a) of this section, was afforded

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the opportunity to have an additional chemical test. The officer arresting or so charging the

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person shall have informed the person of this right and afforded him or her a reasonable

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opportunity to exercise this right, and a notation to this effect is made in the official records of the

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case in the police department. Refusal to permit an additional chemical test shall render

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incompetent and inadmissible in evidence the original report.

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      (d) (1) (i) Every person found to have violated subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be

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sentenced as follows: for a first violation whose blood alcohol concentration is eight one-

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hundredths of one percent (.08%), but less than one-tenth of one percent (.1%), by weight, or who

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has a blood presence of any scheduled controlled substance as defined in subdivision (b)(2), shall

 

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be subject to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than three hundred

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dollars ($300); shall be required to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community

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restitution, and/or shall be imprisoned for up to one year. The sentence may be served in any unit

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of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge and/or shall be

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required to attend a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a

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controlled substance; provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran to

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complete any court-approved counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans'

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Administration, and his or her driver's license shall be suspended for thirty (30) days up to one

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hundred eighty (180) days. The sentencing judge or magistrate may prohibit that person from

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operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in §

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31-27-2.8.

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      (ii) Every person convicted of a first violation whose blood alcohol concentration is one-

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tenth of one percent (.1%) by weight or above, but less than fifteen hundredths of one percent

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(.15%), or whose blood alcohol concentration is unknown, shall be subject to a fine of not less

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than one hundred ($100) dollars, nor more than four hundred dollars ($400), and shall be required

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to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution and/or shall be imprisoned

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for up to one year. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional institutions in

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the discretion of the sentencing judge. The person's driving license shall be suspended for a

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period of three (3) months to twelve (12) months. The sentencing judge shall require attendance

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at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance

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and/or alcoholic or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may

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permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program

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administered or approved by the Veterans' Administration. The sentencing judge or magistrate

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may prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition

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interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

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      (iii) Every person convicted of a first offense whose blood alcohol concentration is

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fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%) or above, or who is under the influence of a drug,

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toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subdivision (b)(1), shall be subject to a fine of

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five hundred dollars ($500) and shall be required to perform twenty (20) to sixty (60) hours of

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public community restitution and/or shall be imprisoned for up to one year. The sentence may be

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served in any unit of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge.

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The person's driving license shall be suspended for a period of three (3) months to eighteen (18)

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months. The sentencing judge shall require attendance at a special course on driving while

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intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for

 

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the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran to

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complete any court-approved counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans'

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Administration. The sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that person from operating a

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motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

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      (2) (i) Every person convicted of a second violation within a five-year (5) period with a

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blood alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or above, but less than

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fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%), or whose blood alcohol concentration is unknown, or

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who has a blood presence of any controlled substance as defined in subdivision (b)(2), and every

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person convicted of a second violation within a five-year (5) period, regardless of whether the

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prior violation and subsequent conviction was a violation and subsequent conviction under this

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statute or under the driving under the influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, shall

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be subject to a mandatory fine of four hundred dollars ($400). The person's driving license shall

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be suspended for a period of one year to two (2) years, and the individual shall be sentenced to

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not less than ten (10) days, nor more than one year, in jail. The sentence may be served in any

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unit of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge; however, not

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less than forty-eight (48) hours of imprisonment shall be served consecutively. The sentencing

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judge shall require alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court

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may permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program

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administered or approved by the Veterans' Administration and shall prohibit that person from

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operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in §

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31-27-2.8.

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      (ii) Every person convicted of a second violation within a five-year (5) period whose

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blood alcohol concentration is fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%) or above, by weight as

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shown by a chemical analysis of a blood, breath, or urine sample, or who is under the influence of

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a drug, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subdivision (b)(1), shall be subject to

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mandatory imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, nor more than one year; a mandatory

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fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000); and a mandatory license suspension for a

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period of two (2) years from the date of completion of the sentence imposed under this

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subsection. The sentencing judge shall require alcohol or drug treatment for the individual;

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provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court

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approved counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans' Administration. The

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sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is

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not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8

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      (3) (i) Every person convicted of a third or subsequent violation within a five-year (5)

 

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period with a blood alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or

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above, but less than fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%), or whose blood alcohol

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concentration is unknown or who has a blood presence of any scheduled controlled substance as

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defined in subdivision (b)(2), regardless of whether any prior violation and subsequent conviction

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was a violation and subsequent conviction under this statute or under the driving under the

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influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, shall be guilty of a felony and be subject to

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a mandatory fine of four hundred ($400) dollars. The person's driving license shall be suspended

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for a period of two (2) years to three (3) years, and the individual shall be sentenced to not less

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than one year and not more than three (3) years in jail. The sentence may be served in any unit of

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the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge; however, not less than

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forty-eight (48) hours of imprisonment shall be served consecutively. The sentencing judge shall

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require alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit

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a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or

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approved by the Veterans' Administration, and shall prohibit that person from operating a motor

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vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

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      (ii) Every person convicted of a third or subsequent violation within a five-year (5)

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period whose blood alcohol concentration is fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%) above by

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weight as shown by a chemical analysis of a blood, breath, or urine sample, or who is under the

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influence of a drug, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subdivision (b)(1), shall be

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subject to mandatory imprisonment of not less than three (3) years, nor more than five (5) years; a

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mandatory fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), nor more than five thousand

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dollars ($5,000); and a mandatory license suspension for a period of three (3) years from the date

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of completion of the sentence imposed under this subsection. The sentencing judge shall require

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alcohol or drug treatment for the individual. The sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that

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person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as

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provided in § 31-27-2.8.

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      (iii) In addition to the foregoing penalties, every person convicted of a third or

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subsequent violation within a five-year (5) period, regardless of whether any prior violation and

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subsequent conviction was a violation and subsequent conviction under this statute or under the

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driving under the influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, shall be subject, in the

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discretion of the sentencing judge, to having the vehicle owned and operated by the violator

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seized and sold by the state of Rhode Island, with all funds obtained by the sale to be transferred

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to the general fund.

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      (4) Whoever drives or otherwise operates any vehicle in the state while under the

 

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influence of any intoxicating liquor, drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in

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chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these, when his or her license to operate is

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suspended, revoked, or cancelled for operating under the influence of a narcotic drug or

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intoxicating liquor, shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than three

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(3) years and by a fine or not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000). The court shall require

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alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual; provided, the penalties provided for in § 31-27-

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2(d)(4) shall not apply to an individual who has surrendered his or her license and served the

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court-ordered period of suspension, but who, for any reason, has not had his or her license

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reinstated after the period of suspension, revocation, or suspension has expired; provided, further,

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the individual shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 31-27-2(d)(2)(i) or (ii) or 31-27-22(d)(3)(i),

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(ii), or (iii) regarding subsequent offenses, and any other applicable provision of § 31-27-2.

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      (5) (i) For purposes of determining the period of license suspension, a prior violation

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shall constitute any charge brought and sustained under the provisions of this section or § 31-27-

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2.1.

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      (ii) Any person over the age of eighteen (18) who is convicted under this section for

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operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, or a combination of

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these, while a child under the age of thirteen (13) years was present as a passenger in the motor

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vehicle when the offense was committed, may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not

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more than one year, and further, shall not be entitled to the benefit of suspension or deferment of

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this sentence. The sentence imposed under this section may be served in any unit of the adult

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correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge.

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      (6) (i) Any person convicted of a violation under this section shall pay a highway

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assessment fine of five hundred dollars ($500) that shall be deposited into the general fund. The

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assessment provided for by this subsection shall be collected from a violator before any other

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fines authorized by this section.

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      (ii) Any person convicted of a violation under this section shall be assessed a fee of

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eighty-six dollars ($86).

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      (7) (i) If the person convicted of violating this section is under the age of eighteen (18)

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years, for the first violation he or she shall be required to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of

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public community restitution and the juvenile's driving license shall be suspended for a period of

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six (6) months, and may be suspended for a period up to eighteen (18) months. The sentencing

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judge shall also require attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the

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influence of a controlled substance and alcohol or drug education and/or treatment for the

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juvenile. The juvenile may also be required to pay a highway assessment fine of no more than

 

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five hundred dollars ($500) and the assessment imposed shall be deposited into the general fund.

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      (ii) If the person convicted of violating this section is under the age of eighteen (18)

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years, for a second or subsequent violation regardless of whether any prior violation and

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subsequent conviction was a violation and subsequent under this statute or under the driving

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under the influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, he or she shall be subject to a

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mandatory suspension of his or her driving license until such time as he or she is twenty-one (21)

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years of age and may, in the discretion of the sentencing judge, also be sentenced to the Rhode

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Island training school for a period of not more than one year and/or a fine of not more than five

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hundred dollars ($500).

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      (8) Any person convicted of a violation under this section may undergo a clinical

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assessment at the community college of Rhode Island's center for workforce and community

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education. Should this clinical assessment determine problems of alcohol, drug abuse, or

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psychological problems associated with alcoholic or drug abuse, this person shall be referred to

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an appropriate facility, licensed or approved by the department of mental health, retardation and

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hospitals for treatment placement, case management, and monitoring. In the case of a

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servicemember or veteran, the court may order that the person be evaluated through the Veterans'

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Administration. Should the clinical assessment determine problems of alcohol, drug abuse, or

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psychological problems associated with alcohol or drug abuse, the person may have their

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treatment, case management, and monitoring administered or approved by the Veterans'

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Administration.

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      (e) Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based upon milligrams of alcohol

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per one hundred (100) cubic centimeters of blood.

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      (f) (1) There is established an alcohol and drug safety unit within the division of motor

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vehicles to administer an alcohol safety action program. The program shall provide for placement

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and follow-up for persons who are required to pay the highway safety assessment. The alcohol

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and drug safety action program will be administered in conjunction with alcohol and drug

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programs licensed by the department of mental health retardation and hospitals.

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      (2) Persons convicted under the provisions of this chapter shall be required to attend a

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special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance,

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and/or participate in an alcohol or drug treatment program; provided, however, that the court may

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permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program

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administered or approved by the Veterans' Administration. The course shall take into

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consideration any language barrier that may exist as to any person ordered to attend, and shall

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provide for instruction reasonably calculated to communicate the purposes of the course in

 

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accordance with the requirements of the subsection. Any costs reasonably incurred in connection

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with the provision of this accommodation shall be borne by the person being retrained. A copy of

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any violation under this section shall be forwarded by the court to the alcohol and drug safety

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unit. In the event that persons convicted under the provisions of this chapter fail to attend and

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complete the above course or treatment program, as ordered by the judge, then the person may be

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brought before the court, and after a hearing as to why the order of the court was not followed,

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may be sentenced to jail for a period not exceeding one year.

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      (3) The alcohol and drug safety action program within the division of motor vehicles

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shall be funded by general revenue appropriations.

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      (g) The director of the health department of the state of Rhode Island is empowered to

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make and file with the secretary of state regulations that prescribe the techniques and methods of

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chemical analysis of the person's body fluids or breath and the qualifications and certification of

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individuals authorized to administer this testing and analysis.

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      (h) Jurisdiction for misdemeanor violations of this section shall be with the district court

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for persons eighteen (18) years of age or older and to the family court for persons under the age

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of eighteen (18) years. The courts shall have full authority to impose any sentence authorized, and

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to order the suspension of any license, for violations of this section. All trials in the district court

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and family court of violations of the section shall be scheduled within thirty (30) days of the

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arraignment date. No continuance or postponement shall be granted except for good cause shown.

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Any continuances that are necessary shall be granted for the shortest practicable time. Trials in

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superior court are not required to be scheduled within thirty (30) days of the arraignment date.

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      (i) No fines, suspensions, assessments, alcohol or drug treatment programs, course on

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driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance, public community

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restitution, or jail provided for under this section can be suspended.

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      (j) An order to attend a special course on driving while intoxicated that shall be

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administered in cooperation with a college or university accredited by the state, shall include a

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provision to pay a reasonable tuition for the course in an amount not less than twenty-five dollars

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($25.00), and a fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175), which fee shall be deposited into

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the general fund.

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      (k) For the purposes of this section, any test of a sample of blood, breath, or urine for the

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presence of alcohol that relies in whole or in part upon the principle of infrared light absorption is

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considered a chemical test.

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      (l) If any provision of this section, or the application of any provision, shall for any

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reason be judged invalid, such a judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of

 

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the section, but shall be confined in this effect to the provision or application directly involved in

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the controversy giving rise to the judgment.

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      (m) For the purposes of this section, "servicemember" means a person who is presently

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serving in the armed forces of the United States, including the Coast Guard, a reserve component

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thereof, or the National Guard. "Veteran" means a person who has served in the armed forces,

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including the Coast Guard of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or the National

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Guard, and has been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

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     31-27-2.1. Refusal to submit to chemical test. -- (a) Any person who operates a motor

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vehicle within this state shall be deemed to have given his or her consent to chemical tests of his

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or her breath, blood, and/or urine for the purpose of determining the chemical content of his or

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her body fluids or breath. No more than two (2) complete tests, one for the presence of

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intoxicating liquor and one for the presence of toluene or any controlled substance, as defined in

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§ 21-28-1.02(7), shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer having

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reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been driving a motor vehicle within this state

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while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance, as defined

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in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these. The director of the department of health is

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empowered to make and file, with the secretary of state, regulations that prescribe the techniques

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and methods of chemical analysis of the person's body fluids or breath and the qualifications and

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certification of individuals authorized to administer the testing and analysis.

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      (b) If a person, for religious or medical reasons, cannot be subjected to blood tests, the

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person may file an affidavit with the division of motor vehicles stating the reasons why he or she

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cannot be required to take blood tests and a notation to this effect shall be made on his or her

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license. If that person is asked to submit to chemical tests as provided under this chapter, the

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person shall only be required to submit to chemical tests of his or her breath or urine. When a

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person is requested to submit to blood tests, only a physician or registered nurse, or a medical

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technician certified under regulations promulgated by the director of the department of health,

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may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content in it. This limitation

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shall not apply to the taking of breath or urine specimens. The person tested shall be permitted to

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have a physician of his or her own choosing, and at his or her own expense, administer chemical

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tests of his or her breath, blood, and/or urine in addition to the tests administered at the direction

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of a law enforcement officer. If a person, having been placed under arrest, refuses upon the

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request of a law enforcement officer to submit to the tests, as provided in § 31-27-2, none shall be

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given, but a judge or magistrate of the traffic tribunal or district court judge or magistrate, upon

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receipt of a report of a law enforcement officer: that he or she had reasonable grounds to believe

 

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the arrested person had been driving a motor vehicle within this state under the influence of

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intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or

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any combination of these; that the person had been informed of his or her rights in accordance

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with § 31-27-3; that the person had been informed of the penalties incurred as a result of

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noncompliance with this section; and that the person had refused to submit to the tests upon the

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request of a law enforcement officer; shall promptly order that the person's operator's license or

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privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state be immediately suspended, however, said

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suspension shall be subject to the hardship provisions enumerated in §31-27-2.8 and that the

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person's license be surrendered within five (5) days of notice of suspension. A traffic tribunal

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judge or magistrate, or a district court judge or magistrate, pursuant to the terms of subsection (c)

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of this section, shall order as follows:

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      (1) Impose, for the first violation, a fine in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200) to

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five hundred dollars ($500) and shall order the person to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of

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public community restitution. The person's driving license in this state shall be suspended for a

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period of six (6) months to one year. The traffic tribunal judge or magistrate shall require

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attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled

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substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for the individual. The traffic tribunal judge or

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magistrate may prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an

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ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

20

      (2) Every person convicted for a second violation within a five-year (5) period shall be

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guilty of a misdemeanor; shall be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months; and shall pay a

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fine in the amount of six hundred dollars ($600) to one thousand dollars ($1,000), order the

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person to perform sixty (60) to one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution; and the

24

person's driving license in this state shall be suspended for a period of one year to two (2) years.

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The judge or magistrate shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual. The

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sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is

27

not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

28

      (3) Every person convicted for a third or subsequent violation within a five-year (5)

29

period shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and shall be imprisoned for not more than one year;

30

fined eight hundred dollars ($800) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); shall perform not less than

31

one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution; and the person's operator's license in

32

this state shall be suspended for a period of two (2) years to five (5) years. The sentencing judge

33

or magistrate shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with

34

an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8. The judge or magistrate shall require

 

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alcohol or drug treatment for the individual. Provided, that prior to the reinstatement of a license

2

to a person charged with a third or subsequent violation within a three-year (3) period, a hearing

3

shall be held before a judge or magistrate. At the hearing, the judge or magistrate shall review the

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person's driving record, his or her employment history, family background, and any other

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pertinent factors that would indicate that the person has demonstrated behavior that warrants the

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reinstatement of his or her license.

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      (4) For purposes of determining the period of license suspension, a prior violation shall

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constitute any charge brought and sustained under the provisions of this section or § 31-27-2.

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      (5) In addition to any other fines, a highway safety assessment of five hundred dollars

10

($500) shall be paid by any person found in violation of this section, the assessment to be

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deposited into the general fund. The assessment provided for by this subsection shall be collected

12

from a violator before any other fines authorized by this section.

13

      (6) In addition to any other fines and highway safety assessments, a two hundred dollar

14

($200) assessment shall be paid by any person found in violation of this section to support the

15

department of health's chemical testing programs outlined in § 31-27-2(4), that shall be deposited

16

as general revenues, not restricted receipts.

17

      (7) No fines, suspensions, assessments, alcohol or drug treatment programs; course on

18

driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance; or public community

19

restitution provided for under this section; can be suspended.

20

      (c) Upon suspending or refusing to issue a license or permit as provided in subsection (a)

21

of this section, the traffic tribunal or district court shall immediately notify the person involved in

22

writing, and upon his or her request, within fifteen (15) days, shall afford the person an

23

opportunity for a hearing as early as practical upon receipt of a request in writing. Upon a

24

hearing, the judge may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses

25

and the production of relevant books and papers. If the judge finds after the hearing that: (1) The

26

law enforcement officer making the sworn report had reasonable grounds to believe that the

27

arrested person had been driving a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of

28

intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or

29

any combination of these; (2) The person, while under arrest, refused to submit to the tests upon

30

the request of a law enforcement officer; (3) The person had been informed of his or her rights in

31

accordance with § 31-27-3; and (4) The person had been informed of the penalties incurred as a

32

result of noncompliance with this section; the judge shall sustain the violation. The judge shall

33

then impose the penalties set forth in subsection (b) of this section. Action by the judge must be

34

taken within seven (7) days after the hearing or it shall be presumed that the judge has refused to

 

LC006242 - Page 11 of 17

1

issue his or her order of suspension.

2

      (d) For the purposes of this section, any test of a sample of blood, breath, or urine for the

3

presence of alcohol that relies, in whole or in part, upon the principle of infrared light absorption

4

is considered a chemical test.

5

      (e) If any provision of this section, or the application of any provision, shall, for any

6

reason, be judged invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the

7

section, but shall be confined in this effect to the provisions or application directly involved in the

8

controversy giving rise to the judgment.

9

     31-27-2.8. Ignition interlock system imposed as part of sentence -- Requirements. --

10

(a) Any person convicted under the provisions of § 31-27-2(d)1, 2 or 3 (1)(i) or (ii), or whose

11

violation is sustained under the provisions of § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), may be prohibited by the

12

sentencing judge or magistrate from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an

13

ignition interlock system.

14

      (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this chapter, after a finding of

15

eligibility, any mandatory period of license suspension may shall, upon request be reduced by the

16

imposition of an ignition interlock system ordered by the court or traffic tribunal as follows:

17

      (1) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day

18

(30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system for three (3) months to

19

one year.

20

      (2) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-

21

day (30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system for a period of six

22

(6) months to two (2) years.

23

      (3) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum forty-five-

24

day (45) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system for a period of six

25

(6) months to two (2) years.

26

      (4) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(b)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day

27

(60) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system for a period of one to

28

four (4) years.

29

      (5) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(3), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day

30

(60) license suspension and imposition of an ignition interlock system for a period of one to four

31

(4) years.

32

      (6) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(b)(3), a person shall be subject to a minimum ninety-

33

day (90) license suspension and imposition of an ignition interlock system for a period of two (2)

34

to ten (10) years.

 

LC006242 - Page 12 of 17

1

      (7) In any case where a person is convicted of a first offense under the provisions of §

2

31-27-2(d)(1), or a second offense under the provisions of § 31-27-2(d)(2), or under § 31-27-

3

2.1(b)(1), the sentencing judge or magistrate may shall, upon request grant the person a

4

conditional hardship license during the period of license suspension. immediately upon a plea or

5

admission of guilt, or an initial suspension under §31-27-2.1(b), and after a finding of need under

6

this section; provided, however, that in a case where a conditional hardship license shall be

7

granted by the sentencing judge or magistrate upon an initial suspension under §31-27-2.1(b) and

8

prior to the installation of an ignition interlock device, said hardship license shall be issued to the

9

motorist upon proof of installation of an ignition interlock device. However, in any case where a

10

motorist has a prior alcohol related offense or a prior reckless driving conviction under §31-27-4

11

or reckless eluding conviction under §31-27-4.1 within the prior ten (10) years of the offense, or

12

when the instant offense involves a motor vehicle accident, the judge or magistrate may exercise

13

their discretion in the granting of the hardship license by imposing up to a ninety (90) day loss of

14

license prior to any imposition of the hardship license. If the instant matter involves a blood

15

alcohol level of fifteen hundredths (.15) BAC or above, the judge or magistrate may exercise their

16

discretion in the granting of the hardship license by imposing up to a six (6) month loss of license

17

prior to any imposition of the hardship license. Said hardship license shall be valid only for

18

twelve (12) hours per day to get to and from employment, necessary medical appointments, job

19

training, schooling, or any other valid reason approved in advance by the sentencing judge or

20

magistrate. A hardship license shall only be granted in conjunction with the installation of an

21

ignition interlock device. Any conditional driving privileges must be set by the sentencing judge

22

or magistrate after a hearing in which the motorist must provide proof of employment status and

23

hours of employment. , or any other legitimate reasons justifying a hardship license. These shall

24

include, but not be limited to, any unemployment training, schooling, medical appointments,

25

therapy treatments, or any other valid requests set forth by sworn affidavit. Once said hardship

26

period has concluded, the motorist must still be subject to the conditions of the ignition interlock

27

system as set forth under this section for the period of time as directed by the court. Any

28

individual who violates the requirements of this subsection shall be subject to the penalties

29

enumerated in § 31-27-18.1 31-11-18.1.

30

      (c) Any person convicted of an offense of driving under the influence of liquor or drugs

31

resulting in death, § 31-27-2.2; driving under the influence of liquor or drugs resulting in serious

32

bodily injury, § 31-27-2.6; driving to endanger resulting in death, § 31-27-1; or driving to

33

endanger resulting in serious bodily injury, § 31-27-1.1; may, in addition to any other penalties

34

provided by law, be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an

 

LC006242 - Page 13 of 17

1

approved ignition interlock system for one to five (5) years.

2

      (d) Any person who operates a motor vehicle with a suspended license during the period

3

of suspension and the reason for the suspension was due to a conviction of driving under the

4

influence of drugs or alcohol or a sustained violation or conviction of refusal to submit to a

5

chemical test, shall be subject to the imposition of an ignition interlock system for six (6) months

6

to be ordered by the court or the traffic tribunal to the further use of the ignition interlock system

7

for a period of six (6) months subsequent to the penalties enumerated in §31-11-18.1.

8

      (e) When the court orders the use of an ignition interlock system, the judge or magistrate

9

shall cause an appropriate notation to be made on the person's record that clearly sets forth the

10

requirement for and the period of the use of the ignition interlock system.

11

      (f) In addition to the requirements of subsection (e) of this section, the court or traffic

12

tribunal shall:

13

      (1) Require proof of the installation of the ignition interlock system and periodic

14

reporting by the person for the purpose of verification of the proper operation of the ignition

15

interlock system;

16

      (2) Require the person to have the ignition interlock system monitored for the proper use

17

and accuracy by a person, firm, corporation, or other association to be approved by the division of

18

motor vehicles at least once every six (6) months, or more frequently as the circumstances may

19

require; and

20

      (3) Require the person to pay the reasonable cost of leasing or buying, monitoring, and

21

maintenance of the ignition interlock system.

22

     (4) The requirements under subsection (f) of this section shall be the responsibility of the

23

probation department or justice assistance, if the individual is under their control, or the division

24

of motor vehicles if the individual is not monitored as a condition of the individual's plea or

25

finding of guilt.

26

     (g) If a person is required, in the course of the person's employment, to operate a motor

27

vehicle owned or provided by the person's employer, the person may operate that motor vehicle

28

in the course of the person's employment without installation of an ignition interlock system if the

29

court makes specific findings expressly permitting the person to operate, in the course of the

30

person's employment, a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system.

31

      (h) Any person subject to an ignition interlock order who violates such order shall be

32

guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment, or a fine of up to one

33

thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. For the purposes of this subsection, a violation of the interlock

34

order, includes, but is not limited to:

 

LC006242 - Page 14 of 17

1

      (1) Altering, tampering, or in any way attempting to circumvent the operation of an

2

ignition interlock system that has been installed in the motor vehicle of a person under this

3

section;

4

      (2) Operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system; or

5

      (3) Soliciting or attempting to have another person start a motor vehicle equipped with

6

an ignition interlock system for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person

7

who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock

8

system.

9

      (i) Any person who attempts to start, or starts, a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition

10

interlock system, tampers with, or in any way attempts to circumvent, the operation of an ignition

11

interlock system that has been installed in the motor vehicle for the purpose of providing an

12

operable motor vehicle to a person who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not

13

equipped with an ignition interlock system, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to

14

one year imprisonment or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

15

     SECTION 2. Section 31-49-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-49 entitled "Ignition

16

Interlock Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17

     31-49-3. Rules and regulations. -- (a) The rules and regulations adopted pursuant to §

18

31-49-2 shall include requirements that ignition interlock systems:

19

      (1) Do not impede the safe operation of the vehicle;

20

      (2) Minimize opportunities to be bypassed;

21

      (3) Correlate accurately with established measures of blood alcohol levels;

22

      (4) Work accurately and reliably in an unsupervised environment;

23

      (5) Require a proper and accurate measure of blood alcohol levels;

24

      (6) Resist tampering and provide evidence of attempted tampering;

25

      (7) Are difficult to circumvent, and require premeditation to circumvent;

26

      (8) Minimize inconvenience to a sober user;

27

      (9) Are manufactured by a party responsible for installation, user training, service, and

28

maintenance;

29

      (10) Operate reliably over the range of motor vehicle environments or motor vehicle

30

manufacturing standards;

31

      (11) Are manufactured by a person who is adequately insured for products liability; and

32

      (12) Provide the option for an electronic log of the driver's experience with the system.

33

      (b) Prior to the reinstatement of an unrestricted license, the Upon the expiration of the

34

interlock order by the court, the division of motor vehicles shall review the person's driving

 

LC006242 - Page 15 of 17

1

record and compliance with the ignition interlock order to ensure that the person has fulfilled the

2

specific requirements as set forth by the sentencing judge or magistrate. Upon verification that

3

said conditions have been satisfied, a motorist's license shall be reinstated. demonstrated behavior

4

that warrants the reinstatement of his or her license.

5

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC006242 - Page 16 of 17

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

***

1

     This act would extend the time for arresting police departments to provide a copy of a

2

chemical or blood test relative to charges of driving under the influence and would require a

3

judge or magistrate to immediately grant a hardship license upon a finding or admission of guilt

4

to driving under the influence or refusal to submit to a breathalyzer or other chemical test, subject

5

to a finding of need. A finding of need can be based on employment, job training, medical

6

appointments, schooling or other reason determined to be valid by the court. Under some

7

circumstances, a judge or magistrate may order a suspension of the offender's license prior to the

8

imposition of a hardship license.

9

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006242 - Page 17 of 17