CHAPTER 26
SB 31 – FINAL VERSION
2011 SESSION
03/09
SENATE BILL 31
AN ACT relative to revocation or denial of a driver’s license for drug or alcohol involvement by persons under 21 years of age.
SPONSORS: Sen. Houde, Dist 5; Rep. Sorg, Graf 3
This bill clarifies the procedure for revocation or denial of a driver’s license for drug or alcohol involvement by persons under 21 years of age.
This bill was requested by the supreme court and the department of safety.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/03/11 0096s 11-0954
03/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven
AN ACT relative to revocation or denial of a driver’s license for drug or alcohol involvement by persons under 21 years of age.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
26:1 Revocation or Denial for Drugs or Alcohol Involvement. Amend RSA 263:56-b, I-II to read as follows:
I. Any person who is not yet 21 years of age on the date of the incident, who is convicted, found to be delinquent under RSA 169-B, or found to be in need of services under RSA 169-D, for any offense involving the sale, possession, use, or abuse of alcohol or of controlled drugs as defined in RSA 318-B:1, VI, or of a controlled drug analog as defined under RSA 318-B:1, VI-a, may at the discretion of the court be subject to the revocation or denial of a driver’s license or privilege to drive for not less than 90 days but not more than one year on the first finding or conviction under this paragraph, and not less than 6 months but not more than 2 years for a subsequent finding or conviction. Nothing in this section shall prevent the court from requiring any person subject to its provisions from successfully completing any alcohol or substance abuse education program in lieu of a loss or denial of driving license or privilege. The director, upon receipt of a notification from the court that the court has ordered the suspension of a person’s license or driving privilege pursuant to this paragraph, shall forthwith issue a formal order of suspension and, in the case of denial of an application for a license, the period imposed shall begin on the date the person is eligible by age for the issuance of a license. Notwithstanding RSA 169-B:35 or any other law regarding confidentiality, any court which convicts or makes a finding that an offense described in this section has occurred involving a person who meets the age limits specified in this section, and which orders the revocation or denial of a driver’s license or privilege to drive, shall forward a notice of such conviction or finding to the director. The director shall maintain the confidentiality of notices received.
II. The director shall, [unless otherwise] when ordered by the court, revoke the driver’s license or privilege to drive or deny an application for a license for not less than 90 days but not more than one year on the first finding or conviction under paragraph I, and not less than 6 months but not more than 2 years for a subsequent finding or conviction; provided, however, that the director shall not revoke or deny a license or privilege to drive under this paragraph without first giving the person an opportunity for a hearing to determine that the person is the individual who was convicted of the offense and against whom the court order applies. In the case of denial of an application for a license, the period imposed shall begin on the date the person is eligible by age for the issuance of a license.
26:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: April 28, 2011
Effective Date: April 28, 2011