Bill > S2970

This bill mandates that individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or refusing a chemical test must have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle as part of their sentence before their driver's license can be reinstated, with specific durations for this requirement varying based on the severity and number of offenses. An ignition interlock system is a device that requires a driver to blow into it to measure their blood alcohol content (BAC) before the vehicle will start. The bill also establishes an "ignition interlock system fund," managed by the office of the general treasurer, to help pay for these systems for defendants who are unable to afford them and qualify as indigent, often by demonstrating participation in public assistance programs. This legislation aims to enhance road safety by preventing individuals convicted of DUI offenses from driving while impaired.