AN ACT CONCERNING A DEFINITE PERIOD OF LICENSE SUSPENSION IN THE CASE OF A PERSON WHO DOES NOT USE AN APPROVED IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (g) of section 14-227a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2017):

(g) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, provided in no case shall any such person convicted of a first violation have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for more than one year and forty-five days; (2) for conviction of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer, provided in no case shall any such person convicted of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for more than three years and forty-five days; and (3) for conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person's revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under the provisions of either subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, a conviction under the provisions of section 14-227m, as amended by this act, a conviction under the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, a conviction under the provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, section 14-227m, as amended by this act, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense.

Sec. 2. Subsection (i) of section 14-227b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2017):

(i) (1) The commissioner shall suspend the operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of a person who did not contact the department to schedule a hearing, who failed to appear at a hearing, or against whom a decision was issued, after a hearing, pursuant to subsection (h) of this section, as of the effective date contained in the suspension notice, for a period of forty-five days. As a condition for the restoration of such operator's license or nonresident operating privilege, such person shall be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the longer of either (A) the period prescribed in subdivision (2) of this subsection for the present arrest and suspension, or (B) the period prescribed in subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m, as amended by this act, or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of section 14-227n, as amended by this act, for the present arrest and conviction, if any, provided in no case shall any such person have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for a period that is longer than the prescribed suspension period and the amount of time such person would be required to use an approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, if such person used such device.

(2) (A) A person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the arrest who submitted to a test or analysis and the results of such test or analysis indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, six months; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, one year; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under this section, two years; (B) a person under twenty-one years of age at the time of the arrest who submitted to a test or analysis and the results of such test or analysis indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under this section, three years; and (C) a person, regardless of age, who refused to submit to a test or analysis shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension, under this section, three years.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, a person whose motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege has been permanently revoked upon a third offense pursuant to subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or subsection (c) of section 14-227m, as amended by this act, shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act.

Sec. 3. Subsection (i) of section 14-111 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2017):

(i) (1) Whenever any person has been convicted of any violation of section 14-110, 14-147, 14-215, 14-222 or 14-224 and such person's license has been suspended by the commissioner, such person may make application to the commissioner for the reversal or reduction of the term of such suspension. Such application shall be in writing and shall state specifically the reasons why such applicant believes that the applicant is entitled to such reversal or reduction. The commissioner shall consider each such application and the applicant's driver control record, as defined in section 14-111h, and may grant a hearing to the applicant in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and section 14-4a.

(2) Any person whose license has been revoked in accordance with subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m, as amended by this act, may, at any time after two years from the date of such revocation, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, and the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection for reversal or reduction of such revocation. The commissioner shall require such person to provide evidence that any reversal or reduction of such revocation shall not endanger the public safety or welfare. Such evidence shall include, but not be limited to, proof that such person has successfully completed an alcohol education and treatment program, and proof that such person has not been convicted of any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during the preceding two years. The commissioner may grant a reversal or reduction of such revocation, and in no case, shall any such person continue to have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege revoked for a period that is longer than the fifteen-year period that such person would be required to use an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a, if such person used such device. The commissioner shall require any person, as a condition of granting such reversal or reduction, to install and maintain an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a. The approved ignition interlock device shall be installed and maintained for any period during the lifetime of such person in which such person owns or operates a motor vehicle, except that such person may, at any time after fifteen years from the date the commissioner grants such reversal or reduction, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to remove such ignition interlock device. The commissioner may authorize the removal of such ignition interlock device, for good cause shown, after such fifteen-year period and such hearing. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec. 4. Subsection (c) of section 14-227m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2017):

(c) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than two thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than one year, thirty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, (iii) undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so ordered, (iv) submit to an interview and evaluation by the Department of Children and Families to assess any ongoing risk posed to any child who was a passenger in the motor vehicle at the time of the violation, and (v) cooperate with any programming, treatment, directives or plan if so ordered by the Department of Children and Families, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, provided in no case shall any such person convicted of a first violation have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for more than one year and forty-five days; (2) for conviction of a second violation of this section not later than ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one hundred eighty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, (iii) undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so ordered, (iv) submit to an interview and evaluation by the Department of Children and Families to assess any ongoing risk posed to any child who was a passenger in the motor vehicle at the time of the violation, and (v) cooperate with any programming, treatment, directives or plan if so ordered by the Department of Children and Families, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, provided in no case shall any such person convicted of a second violation not later than ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for more than three years and forty-five days, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center, a treatment program ordered by the Department of Children and Families or an appointment with a probation officer or Department of Children and Families caseworker; and (3) for a third or subsequent conviction of a violation of this section not later than ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than five years, two years of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, (iii) undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so ordered, (iv) submit to an interview and evaluation by the Department of Children and Families to assess any ongoing risk posed to any child who was a passenger in the motor vehicle at the time of the offense, and (v) cooperate with any programming, treatment, directives or plan if so ordered by the Department of Children and Families, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person's revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111, as amended by this act. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, subsection (a) of section 14-227a, subsection (a) of section 14-227g, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, subsection (a) of section 53a-56b or subsection (a) of section 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense, the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as the elements of the aforementioned provisions, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense.

Sec. 5. Subsection (c) of section 14-227n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2017):

(c) (1) Any person who violates subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section shall: (A) Be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not less than one year or more than ten years, thirty consecutive days of which shall not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person (i) perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for a three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, provided in no case shall any such person convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for more than three years and forty-five days, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer.

(2) Any person who violates subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall: (A) Be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not less than one year or more than ten years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person (i) perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for a three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, provided in no case shall any such person convicted of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for more than three years and forty-five days, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer.

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:

In Section 3(i)(2), "provided" was changed to "and" for accuracy.