2021 -- S 0403

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LC000457

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Sosnowski, Anderson, Paolino, Morgan, and de la
Cruz

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

"Motor Vehicle Offenses" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-27-2. Driving under influence of liquor or drugs.

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

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

title 21, or any combination of these, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, except as provided in

subsection (d)(3), and shall be punished as provided in subsection (d).

     (b)(1) Any person charged under subsection (a), whose blood alcohol concentration is eight

one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or more by weight, as shown by a chemical analysis of a

blood, breath, or urine sample, shall be guilty of violating subsection (a). This provision shall not

preclude a conviction based on other admissible evidence. Proof of guilt under this section may

also be based on evidence that the person charged was under the influence of intoxicating liquor,

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

these, to a degree that rendered the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle. The fact that any

person charged with violating this section is, or has been, legally entitled to use alcohol or a drug

shall not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section.

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

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

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

subsection (d).

     (c) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of subsection (a), evidence as to the amount

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

any combination of these, in the defendant's blood at the time alleged as shown by a chemical

analysis of the defendant's breath, blood, or urine or other bodily substance, shall be admissible and

competent, provided that evidence is presented that the following conditions have been complied

with:

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

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

defendant elects to testify.

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

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

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

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

taking of the test.

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

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

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

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

provided, and breathalyzer operators shall be qualified and certified by the department of health

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

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

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

title 21 or any combination of these in violation of subsection (a), was afforded the opportunity to

have an additional chemical test. The officer arresting or so charging the person shall have informed

the person of this right and afforded him or her a reasonable opportunity to exercise this right, and

a notation to this effect is made in the official records of the case in the police department. Refusal

to permit an additional chemical test shall render incompetent and inadmissible in evidence the

original report.

     (d)(1)(i) Every person found to have violated subsection (b)(1) shall be sentenced as

follows: for a first violation whose blood alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one

percent (.08%), but less than one-tenth of one percent (.1%), by weight, or who has a blood presence

of any scheduled controlled substance as defined in subsection (b)(2), shall be subject to a fine of

not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than three hundred dollars ($300); shall be

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

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

institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge and/or shall be required to attend a special

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

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

counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans' Administration, and his or her

driver's license shall be suspended for thirty (30) days up to one hundred eighty (180) days. The

sentencing judge or magistrate may prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

three (3) months to twelve (12) months. The sentencing judge shall require attendance at a special

course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or

alcoholic or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a

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

approved by the Veterans' Administration. The sentencing judge or magistrate may prohibit that

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

provided in § 31-27-2.8.

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

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

controlled substance as defined in subsection (b)(1), shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars

($500) and shall be required to perform twenty (20) to sixty (60) hours of public community

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

of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge. The person's driving

license shall be suspended for a period of three (3) months to eighteen (18) months. The sentencing

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

of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however,

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

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

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

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

     (2)(i) Every person convicted of a second violation within a five-year (5) ten-year (10)

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

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

unknown, or who has a blood presence of any controlled substance as defined in subsection (b)(2),

and every person convicted of a second violation within a five-year (5) ten-year (10) period,

regardless of whether the prior violation and subsequent conviction was a violation and subsequent

conviction under this statute or under the driving under the influence of liquor or drugs statute of

any other state, shall be subject to a mandatory fine of four hundred dollars ($400). The person's

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

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

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

however, not less than forty-eight (48) hours of imprisonment shall be served consecutively. The

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

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

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

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

in § 31-27-2.8.

     (ii) Every person convicted of a second violation within a five-year (5) ten-year (10) period

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

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

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

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

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

two (2) years from the date of completion of the sentence imposed under this subsection. The

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

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

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

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

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

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

year (10) period with a blood alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%)

or 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

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

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

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

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

two (2) years to three (3) years, and the individual shall be sentenced to not less than one year and

not more than three (3) years in jail. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional

institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge; however, not less than forty-eight (48) hours

of imprisonment shall be served consecutively. The sentencing judge shall require alcohol or drug

treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or

veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or approved by the

Veterans' Administration, and shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not

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

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

year (10) period whose blood alcohol concentration is fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%)

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

under the influence of a drug, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subsection (b)(1),

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

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

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

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

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

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

provided in § 31-27-2.8.

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

violation within a five-year (5) ten-year (10) period, regardless of whether any prior violation and

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

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

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

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

general fund.

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

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

title 21, or any combination of these, when his or her license to operate is suspended, revoked, or

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cancelled for operating under the influence of a narcotic drug or intoxicating liquor, shall be guilty

of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years and by a fine of not more

than three thousand dollars ($3,000). The court shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the

individual; provided, the penalties provided for in this subsection (d)(4) shall not apply to an

individual who has surrendered his or her license and served the court-ordered period of suspension,

but who, for any reason, has not had his or her license reinstated after the period of suspension,

revocation, or suspension has expired; provided, further, the individual shall be subject to the

provisions of subdivision (d)(2)(i), (d)(2)(ii), (d)(3)(i), (d)(3)(ii), or (d)(3)(iii) regarding subsequent

offenses, and any other applicable provision of this section.

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

constitute any charge brought and sustained under the provisions of this section or § 31-27-2.1.

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

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

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

vehicle when the offense was committed shall be subject to immediate license suspension pending

prosecution. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for a

first offense and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than one year and a fine

not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any person convicted of a second or subsequent

offense shall be guilty of a felony offense and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not

more than five (5) years and a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). The sentencing

judge shall also order a license suspension of up to two (2) years, require attendance at a special

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

or drug education and/or treatment. The individual may also be required to pay a highway

assessment fee of no more than five hundred dollars ($500) and the assessment shall be deposited

in the general fund.

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

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

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

authorized by this section.

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

six dollars ($86).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and may, in the discretion of the sentencing judge, also be sentenced to the Rhode Island training

school for a period of not more than one year and/or a fine of not more than five hundred dollars

($500).

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

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

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

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

appropriate facility, licensed or approved by the department of behavioral healthcare,

developmental disabilities and hospitals, for treatment placement, case management, and

monitoring. In the case of a servicemember or veteran, the court may order that the person be

evaluated through the Veterans' Administration. Should the clinical assessment determine problems

of alcohol, drug abuse, or psychological problems associated with alcohol or drug abuse, the person

may have their treatment, case management, and monitoring administered or approved by the

Veterans' Administration.

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

one hundred (100) cubic centimeters of blood.

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

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

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

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

licensed by the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.

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

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

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

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

approved by the Veterans' Administration. The course shall take into consideration any language

barrier that may exist as to any person ordered to attend, and shall provide for instruction reasonably

calculated to communicate the purposes of the course in accordance with the requirements of the

subsection. Any costs reasonably incurred in connection with the provision of this accommodation

shall be borne by the person being retrained. A copy of any violation under this section shall be

forwarded by the court to the alcohol and drug safety unit. In the event that persons convicted under

the provisions of this chapter fail to attend and complete the above course or treatment program, as

ordered by the judge, then the person may be brought before the court, and after a hearing as to

why the order of the court was not followed, may be sentenced to jail for a period not exceeding

one year.

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

be funded by general revenue appropriations.

     (g) The director of the department of health is empowered to make and file with the

secretary of state regulations that prescribe the techniques and methods of chemical analysis of the

person's body fluids or breath and the qualifications and certification of individuals authorized to

administer this testing and analysis.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the general fund.

     (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

considered a chemical test.

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

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

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

controversy giving rise to the judgment.

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

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

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

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

and has been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

     31-27-2.1. Refusal to submit to chemical test.

     (a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle within this state shall be deemed to have

given his or her consent to chemical tests of his or her breath, blood, and/or urine for the purpose

of determining the chemical content of his or her body fluids or breath. No more than two (2)

complete tests, one for the presence of intoxicating liquor and one for the presence of toluene or

any controlled substance, as defined in § 21-28-1.02(8), shall be administered at the direction of a

law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been driving a

motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any

controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these. The director

of the department of health is empowered to make and file, with the secretary of state, regulations

that prescribe the techniques and methods of chemical analysis of the person's body fluids or breath

and the qualifications and certification of individuals authorized to administer the testing and

analysis.

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

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

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

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

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

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

certified under regulations promulgated by the director of the department of health, may withdraw

blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content in it. This limitation shall not apply to

the taking of breath or urine specimens. The person tested shall be permitted to have a physician of

his or her own choosing, and at his or her own expense, administer chemical tests of his or her

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breath, blood, and/or urine in addition to the tests administered at the direction of a law enforcement

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

officer to submit to the tests, as provided in § 31-27-2, none shall be given, but a judge or magistrate

of the traffic tribunal or district court judge or magistrate, upon receipt of a report of a law

enforcement officer: that he or she had reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been

driving a motor vehicle within this state under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any

controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these; that the

person had been informed of his or her rights in accordance with § 31-27-3; that the person had

been informed of the penalties incurred as a result of noncompliance with this section; and that the

person had refused to submit to the tests upon the request of a law enforcement officer; shall

promptly order that the person's operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this

state be immediately suspended, however, said suspension shall be subject to the hardship

provisions enumerated in § 31-27-2.8. A traffic tribunal judge or magistrate, or a district court judge

or magistrate, pursuant to the terms of subsection (c), shall order as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

system as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

     (2) Every person convicted of a second violation within a five-year (5) ten-year (10) period,

except with respect to cases of refusal to submit to a blood test, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor;

shall be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months; shall pay a fine in the amount of six hundred

dollars ($600) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); perform sixty (60) to one hundred (100) hours of

public community restitution; and the person's driving license in this state shall be suspended for a

period of one year to two (2) years. The judge or magistrate shall require alcohol and/or drug

treatment for the individual. The sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that person from

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

31-27-2.8.

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

year (10) period, except with respect to cases of refusal to submit to a blood test, shall be guilty of

a misdemeanor; and shall be imprisoned for not more than one year; fined eight hundred dollars

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($800) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); shall perform not less than one hundred (100) hours of

public community restitution; and the person's operator's license in this state shall be suspended for

a period of two (2) years to five (5) years. The sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that

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

provided in § 31-27-2.8. The judge or magistrate shall require alcohol or drug treatment for the

individual. Provided, that prior to the reinstatement of a license to a person charged with a third or

subsequent violation within a three-year (3) period, a hearing shall be held before a judge or

magistrate. At the hearing, the judge or magistrate shall review the person's driving record, his or

her employment history, family background, and any other pertinent factors that would indicate

that the person has demonstrated behavior that warrants the reinstatement of his or her license.

     (4) For a second violation within a five-year (5) ten-year (10) period with respect to a case

of a refusal to submit to a blood test, a fine in the amount of six hundred dollars ($600) to one

thousand dollars ($1,000); the person shall perform sixty (60) to one hundred (100) hours of public

community restitution; and the person's driving license in this state shall be suspended for a period

of two (2) years. The judicial officer shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual.

The sentencing judicial officer shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not

equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8. Such a violation with respect

to refusal to submit to a chemical blood test shall be a civil offense.

     (5) For a third or subsequent violation within a five-year (5) ten-year (10) period with

respect to a case of a refusal to submit to a blood test, a fine in the amount of eight hundred dollars

($800) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); the person shall perform not less than one hundred (100)

hours of public community restitution; and the person's driving license in this state shall be

suspended for a period of two (2) to five (5) years. The sentencing judicial officer shall prohibit

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

as provided in § 31-27-2.8. The judicial officer shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the

individual. Such a violation with respect to refusal to submit to a chemical test of blood shall be a

civil offense. Provided, that prior to the reinstatement of a license to a person charged with a third

or subsequent violation within a three-year (3) period, a hearing shall be held before a judicial

officer. At the hearing, the judicial officer shall review the person's driving record, his or her

employment history, family background, and any other pertinent factors that would indicate that

the person has demonstrated behavior that warrants the reinstatement of their license.

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

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

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

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

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

violator before any other fines authorized by this section.

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

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

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

as general revenues, not restricted receipts.

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

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

restitution provided for under this section can be suspended.

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

the traffic tribunal or district court shall immediately notify the person involved in writing, and

upon his or her request, within fifteen (15) days, shall afford the person an opportunity for a hearing

as early as practical upon receipt of a request in writing. Upon a hearing, the judge may administer

oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books

and papers. If the judge finds after the hearing that:

     (1) The law enforcement officer making the sworn report had reasonable grounds to believe

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

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

any combination of these;

     (2) The person, while under arrest, refused to submit to the tests upon the request of a law

enforcement officer;

     (3) The person had been informed of his or her rights in accordance with § 31-27-3; and

     (4) The person had been informed of the penalties incurred as a result of noncompliance

with this section, the judge shall sustain the violation. The judge shall then impose the penalties set

forth in subsection (b). Action by the judge must be taken within seven (7) days after the hearing

or it shall be presumed that the judge has refused to issue his or her order of suspension.

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

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

considered a chemical test.

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

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

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

controversy giving rise to the judgment.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

***

     This act would extend the "lookback" period for third and subsequent offenses involving

driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs under § 31-27-2 and for offenses related to failure

or refusal to submit to chemical tests under § 31-27-2.1 from five (5) years to ten (10) years.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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