On Thursday, September 17, the Assembly voted 95-0 in support of Assembly Bill 283 authored by Representative Tony Staskunas. Below is a brief summary of the key provisions. In his floor speech Staskunas said this is the beginning of the process and there are many other things we can do to continue the fight. This was truly a bi-partisan effort and he should be commended for reaching out to the republicans and welcoming their ideas.
The Senate still has to act and many believe a bill will be on the Governor's desk by November.
The specific provisions are:
- Mandatory Ignition Interlock Devices for first time offenders with a .15 BAC and all repeat drunk drivers.
- Allowing the Expansion of the Winnebago County Safe Streets Treatment Options Program statewide.
- Closing .08-.099 BAC Loophole.
- Allowing probation for 2nd and 3rd OWI offenses.
- Extending the period of license revocation until after completion of sentencing.
- Penalty enhancer for causing injury.
- Making a 4th OWI a felony if it is within five years of a previous OWI conviction.
- Criminalizing a first OWI if there are any children in the vehicle at the time of arrest.
- Increase the OWI surcharge by $100 to pay for Prosecutors.
- Re-direct the beer tax to the Department of Corrections for AODA programs.
- Immediate incarceration upon a 3rd OWI conviction.
- Direct the Judicial Council to develop statewide sentencing guidelines for OWI offenses.
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