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Bill > A703
NJ A703
NJ A703Requires law enforcement officers to issue preliminary suspension of driver's license for certain drunk driving offenses.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires law enforcement officers to issue an immediate preliminary suspension of a person's driver's license for certain drunk driving offenses. Under the bill, a law enforcement officer is required to issue an immediate preliminary suspension of the driver's license of any person who is arrested for driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test, or, in the case of a person who under 21 years of age, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or more, but less than 0.08 percent. If the person's driver's license was issued in another state, the law enforcement officer is required to issue an immediate preliminary suspension of the nonresident reciprocity privilege. In addition, the bill requires the law enforcement officer to immediately confiscate the person's driver's license, unless the driver's license was issued by another state. Under the provisions of this bill, the law enforcement officer is required to forward to the chief administrator the confiscated driver's license, the notice of the immediate preliminary suspension of the driver's license or nonresident reciprocity privilege, and a report which is to include the reason for the suspension. In addition, the bill requires the chief administrator to notify, in writing, the person whose driver's license or nonresident reciprocity privilege was suspended that the person has the right to request a hearing to contest the issuance of the suspension. The bill provides that a person may request a hearing by notifying the chief administrator within 10 days from the date on which the notice informing the person of the right to the hearing was mailed. A hearing is required to be held by an administrative law judge within 10 days of receipt of a request for a hearing. The bill provides that the purpose of the hearing is to determine if, pending adjudication of the charge against the person by a municipal court, the preliminary suspension issued by the law enforcement officer under the bill's provisions is to remain in effect. At the hearing, the judge is to determine by clear and convincing evidence if there was a factual basis upon which the person was initially stopped by the law enforcement officer and whether the person was properly charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test, or, in the case of a person under 21 years of age, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or more, but less than 0.08 percent and if so, the preliminary suspension is to be continued pending adjudication of the charge against the person by the municipal court. Finally, the bill provides that the period of preliminary suspension imposed under the bill is to be deducted from any suspension imposed as a result of the adjudication of the charge against the person by a municipal court.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that law enforcement officers immediately suspend a driver's license, or the privilege to drive in the state for out-of-state drivers, for individuals arrested for certain drunk driving offenses, including driving while intoxicated (DWI), refusing a breath test, or for those under 21, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between 0.01% and 0.08%. The officer must confiscate the license unless it's from another state and then forward it, along with a report and notice of suspension, to the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission. The Chief Administrator will then notify the suspended individual of their right to request a hearing within 10 days to challenge the preliminary suspension, which will be held by an administrative law judge within 10 days of the request. The purpose of this hearing is to determine if the preliminary suspension should remain in effect until the municipal court adjudicates the drunk driving charge, requiring the judge to find clear and convincing evidence of a factual basis for the stop and proper charging. Any period of preliminary suspension will be credited towards any final suspension imposed by the court, and the hearing's findings cannot be used as evidence in criminal proceedings.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A703 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/703_I1.HTM |
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