Bill > A1004

Introduced Session

This bill requires a person convicted of intoxicated driving and certain moving violations to complete an online course on the impact of driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs (DWI). The bill requires a person convicted of DWI (R.S.39:4-50), or a person convicted of reckless driving (R.S.39:4-96), careless driving (R.S.39:4-97), or unsafe driving (C.39:4-97.2) who initially was charged with DWI, to complete an online course featuring testimony of persons impacted by inebriated drivers. The bill adds the requirement to the Intoxicated Driving Program currently conducted by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services and prescribed by the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission. The online course, in the bill as a "Qualified online victim impact panel," is defined as any program that meets all of the following requirements: · is accessible 24 hours per day; · (ii) is offered in English and Spanish or any other language deemed appropriate by the Chief Administrator; · (iii) provides all direct client support necessary for program completion;· (iv) includes a non-judgmental presentation by a minimum eight victims and offenders regarding the impact upon their lives of alcohol, drugs, and driving under the influence of those substances;· (v) requires a minimum of three and a half hours to complete;· (vi) provides a system for testing the participant's attention and comprehension multiple times during the program;· (vii) provides for communication with participants six months after completing the program to reinforce the lessons of the program and encourage participants to live more responsibly; and· (viii) issues a certificate of completion to the participant upon satisfactory fulfillment of attendance, fee payment, and program participation requirements. Currently, a person guilty of DWI, is subject to fines, a period of detainment between 12 and 48 hours spent completing a program of education at the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and the possible forfeiture of the right to operate a motor vehicle for a period of time, with or without an ignition interlock system installed. A court may also order a violator of this statute to participate in supervised visitation program at a facility such as a trauma center to observe victims of drunk drivers, a care center for persons in advanced stages of substance use disorder to observe the patients, or a morgue to observe victims of vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers. However, this requirement is at the court's discretion, and prioritized for drivers who were under the age of 21 at the time of the offense.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Carol Murphy (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document