85R11353 LHC-D
By: White H.B. No. 4227
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on the automatic suspension of driver's
licenses on conviction of a drug offense not related to the
operation of a motor vehicle and alternatives to automatic
suspension.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Department of Public Safety shall
conduct a study on the automatic suspension of the driver's license
of an individual who has been convicted of a drug offense not
related to the operation of a motor vehicle. The study shall:
(1) examine the feasibility of and benefits and
consequences to this state of repealing the law providing for the
automatic suspension of the driver's license of an individual who
has been convicted of a drug offense not related to the operation of
a motor vehicle; and
(2) recommend new graduated sanctions related to the
suspension of a driver's license on conviction of a drug offense not
related to the operation of a motor vehicle that provide for
punishment in proportion to the:
(A) severity of the offense;
(B) potential risk of harm to the public at the
time of the offense; and
(C) likelihood that the individual would commit
another drug offense in the future.
(b) In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this
section, the Department of Public Safety shall consult with:
(1) the Texas Department of Transportation;
(2) a victim who was injured or the family member of a
victim who was killed due to a person who was under the influence of
drugs;
(3) a drug abuse treatment specialist;
(4) a criminal district attorney;
(5) a criminal district judge;
(6) a law enforcement officer;
(7) a department director of a community supervision
and corrections department; and
(8) a criminal defense attorney.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Department of
Public Safety shall submit a report containing the results of the
study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section, including any
legislative recommendations, to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
appropriate standing committees of the senate and the house of
representatives.
SECTION 2. This Act expires December 1, 2019.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.