SB 22-055

Senate Bill 22-055, which has been signed into law, allows drivers whose licenses have been revoked for a year or more due to DUI-related offenses to apply early for a restricted license with an ignition interlock device. For repeat offenders and those convicted of felony DUIs, the bill mandates at least 90 days of alcohol monitoring as part of their probation sentence. The costs for this monitoring are covered by the state if the person cannot afford it. This law aims to help individuals reintegrate sooner while ensuring public safety through continuous monitoring and support from the justice system.

Official Summary

The act permits a person whose driver's license has been revoked for one year or more because of a conviction for DUI, DUI per se, DWAI, or excess BAC, or for 9 months for a first offense, to immediately apply for an early license reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license. The act requires at least 90 days of continuous alcohol monitoring for a person sentenced to probation following a third or subsequent offense, or a felony offense, for DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI. The act adds an exception for any continuous alcohol monitoring if the court finds that ordering monitoring would not be in the interest of justice or if the person's residence is in an area where the person cannot reasonably acquire a monitoring device. The act requires the judicial district's probation department to pay the costs of continuous alcohol monitoring for a person who is unable to pay and clarifies that money in the offender services fund can be used to pay those costs. The bill appropriates $517,292 from the offender services fund to the judicial department and $10,294 from the general fund to the department of revenue, which includes $1,386 reappropriated funds to the office of the governor for use by the office of information technology. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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