hb0302t-Truly Bill Text

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

[TRULY AGREED TO AND FINALLY PASSED]

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE NO. 2 FOR

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILLS NOS. 302 & 38

91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

0265L.15T 2001

AN ACT

To repeal sections 302.302, 302.304, 302.309, 302.505, 302.510, 302.520, 302.535, 302.540, 302.541, 479.500, 577.012, 577.021, 577.023, 577.037, 577.041, 577.600 and 577.602, RSMo 2000, relating to traffic offenses, and to enact in lieu thereof eighteen new sections relating to the same subject, with penalty provisions, an effective date for certain sections.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Sections 302.302, 302.304, 302.309, 302.505, 302.510, 302.520, 302.535, 302.540, 302.541, 479.500, 577.012, 577.021, 577.023, 577.037, 577.041, 577.600 and 577.602, RSMo 2000, are repealed and eighteen new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 302.302, 302.304, 302.309, 302.505, 302.510, 302.520, 302.535, 302.540, 302.541, 304.027, 479.500, 577.012, 577.021, 577.023, 577.037, 577.041, 577.600 and 577.602, to read as follows:

302.302. 1. The director of revenue shall put into effect a point system for the suspension and revocation of licenses. Points shall be assessed only after a conviction or forfeiture of collateral. The initial point value is as follows:

(1) Any moving violation of a state law or county or municipal or federal traffic ordinance or regulation not listed in this section, other than a violation of vehicle equipment provisions or a court-ordered

supervision as provided in section 302.303 2 points

(except any violation of municipal stop sign ordinance where no accident

is involved 1 point)

(2) Speeding

In violation of a state law 3 points

In violation of a county or municipal ordinance 2 points

(3) Leaving the scene of an accident in violation of section

577.060, RSMo 12 points

In violation of any county or municipal ordinance 6 points

(4) Careless and imprudent driving in violation of subsection

4 of section 304.016, RSMo 4 points

In violation of a county or municipal ordinance 2 points

(5) Operating without a valid license in violation of subdivision (1)

or (2) of subsection 1 of section 302.020:

(a) For the first conviction 2 points

(b) For the second conviction 4 points

(6) Operating with a suspended or revoked license prior to

restoration of operating privileges 12 points

(7) Obtaining a license by misrepresentation 12 points

(8) For the first conviction of driving while in an intoxicated

condition or under the influence of controlled substances or drugs 8 points

(9) For the second or subsequent conviction of any of the following

offenses however combined: driving while in an intoxicated condition,

driving under the influence of controlled substances or drugs or driving

with a blood alcohol content of [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of

one percent or more by weight 12 points

(10) For the first conviction for driving with blood alcohol content

[ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight

In violation of state law 8 points

In violation of a county or municipal ordinance or federal

law or regulation 8 points

(11) Any felony involving the use of a motor vehicle 12 points

(12) Knowingly permitting unlicensed operator to operate

a motor vehicle 4 points

(13) For a conviction for failure to maintain financial responsibility

pursuant to county or municipal ordinance or pursuant to section

303.025, RSMo 4 points

2. The director shall, as provided in subdivision (5) of subsection 1 of this section, assess an operator points for a conviction pursuant to subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection 1 of section 302.020, when the director issues such operator a license or permit pursuant to the provisions of sections 302.010 to 302.340.

3. An additional two points shall be assessed when personal injury or property damage results from any violation listed in subsection 1 of this section and if found to be warranted and certified by the reporting court.

4. When any of the acts listed in subdivision (2), (3), (4) or (8) of subsection 1 of this section constitutes both a violation of a state law and a violation of a county or municipal ordinance, points may be assessed for either violation but not for both. Notwithstanding that an offense arising out of the same occurrence could be construed to be a violation of subdivisions (8), (9) and (10) of subsection 1 of this section, no person shall be tried or convicted for more than one offense pursuant to subdivisions (8), (9) and (10) of subsection 1 of this section for offenses arising out of the same occurrence.

5. The director of revenue shall put into effect a system for staying the assessment of points against an operator. The system shall provide that the satisfactory completion of a driver-improvement program or, in the case of violations committed while operating a motorcycle, a motorcycle-rider training course approved by the director of the department of public safety, by an operator, when so ordered and verified by any court having jurisdiction over any law of this state or county or municipal ordinance, regulating motor vehicles, other than a violation committed in a commercial motor vehicle as defined in section 302.700, shall be accepted by the director in lieu of the assessment of points for a violation pursuant to subdivision (1), (2)[,] or (4) of subsection 1 of this section or pursuant to subsection 3 of this section. For the purposes of this subsection, the driver-improvement program shall meet or exceed the standards of the National Safety Council's eight-hour "Defensive Driving Course" or, in the case of a violation which occurred during the operation of a motorcycle, the program shall meet the standards established by the director of the department of public safety pursuant to sections 302.133 to 302.138. The completion of a driver-improvement program or a motorcycle-rider training course shall not be accepted in lieu of points more than one time in any thirty-six-month period and shall be completed within sixty days of the date of conviction in order to be accepted in lieu of the assessment of points. Every court having jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall, within fifteen days after completion of the driver-improvement program or motorcycle-rider training course by an operator, forward a record of the completion to the director, all other provisions of the law to the contrary notwithstanding. The director shall establish procedures for record keeping and the administration of this subsection.

302.304. 1. The director shall notify by ordinary mail any operator of the point value charged against the operator's record when the record shows four or more points have been accumulated in a twelve-month period.

2. In an action to suspend or revoke a license or driving privilege under this section points shall be accumulated on the date of conviction. No case file of any conviction for a driving violation for which points may be assessed pursuant to section 302.302 may be closed until such time as a copy of the record of such conviction is forwarded to the department of revenue.

3. The director shall suspend the license and driving privileges of any person whose driving record shows the driver has accumulated eight points in eighteen months.

4. The license and driving privilege of any person whose license and driving privilege have been suspended under the provisions of sections 302.010 to 302.540 except those persons whose license and driving privilege have been suspended under the provisions of subdivision (8) of subsection 1 of section 302.302 or has accumulated sufficient points together with a conviction under subdivision (10) of subsection 1 of section 302.302 and who has filed proof of financial responsibility with the department of revenue, in accordance with chapter 303, RSMo, and is otherwise eligible, shall be reinstated as follows:

(1) In the case of an initial suspension, thirty days after the effective date of the suspension;

(2) In the case of a second suspension, sixty days after the effective date of the suspension;

(3) In the case of the third and subsequent suspensions, ninety days after the effective date of the suspension. Unless proof of financial responsibility is filed with the department of revenue, a suspension shall continue in effect for two years from its effective date.

5. The period of suspension of the driver's license and driving privilege of any person under the provisions of subdivision (8) of subsection 1 of section 302.302 or who has accumulated sufficient points together with a conviction under subdivision (10) of subsection 1 of section 302.302 shall be thirty days, followed by a sixty-day period of restricted driving privilege issued by the director of revenue for the limited purpose of driving between a residence and a place of employment, or to and from an alcohol education or treatment program, or for both between a residence and a place of employment and to and from such a program. Upon completion of such period of restricted driving privilege, upon compliance with other requirements of law and upon filing of proof of financial responsibility with the department of revenue, in accordance with chapter 303, RSMo, the license and driving privilege shall be reinstated.

6. If the person fails to maintain proof of financial responsibility in accordance with chapter 303, RSMo, the person's driving privilege and license shall be resuspended.

7. The director shall revoke the license and driving privilege of any person when the person's driving record shows such person has accumulated twelve points in twelve months or eighteen points in twenty-four months or twenty-four points in thirty-six months. The revocation period of any person whose license and driving privilege have been revoked under the provisions of sections 302.010 to 302.540 and who has filed proof of financial responsibility with the department of revenue in accordance with chapter 303, RSMo, and is otherwise eligible, shall be terminated by a notice from the director of revenue after one year from the effective date of the revocation. Unless proof of financial responsibility is filed with the department of revenue, except as provided in subsection 2 of section 302.541, the revocation shall remain in effect for a period of two years from its effective date. If the person fails to maintain proof of financial responsibility in accordance with chapter 303, RSMo, the person's license and driving privilege shall be rerevoked. Any person whose license and driving privilege have been revoked under the provisions of sections 302.010 to 302.540 shall, upon receipt of the notice of termination of the revocation from the director, pass the complete driver examination and apply for a new license before again operating a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state.

8. If, prior to conviction for an offense that would require suspension or revocation of a person's license under the provisions of this section, the person's total points accumulated are reduced, pursuant to the provisions of section 302.306, below the number of points required for suspension or revocation pursuant to the provisions of this section, then the person's license shall not be suspended or revoked until the necessary points are again obtained and accumulated.

9. If any person shall neglect or refuse to surrender the person's license, as provided herein, the director shall direct the state highway patrol or any peace or police officer to secure possession thereof and return it to the director.

10. Upon the issuance of a reinstatement or termination notice after a suspension or revocation of any person's license and driving privilege under the provisions of sections 302.010 to 302.540, the accumulated point value shall be reduced to four points, except that the points of any person serving as a member of the armed forces of the United States outside the limits of the United States during a period of suspension or revocation shall be reduced to zero upon the date of the reinstatement or termination of notice. It shall be the responsibility of such member of the armed forces to submit copies of official orders to the director of revenue to substantiate such overseas service. Any other provision of sections 302.010 to 302.540 to the contrary notwithstanding, the effective date of the four points remaining on the record upon reinstatement or termination shall be the date of the reinstatement or termination notice.

11. No credit toward reduction of points shall be given during periods of suspension or revocation or any period of driving under a hardship driving privilege granted by a court.

12. Any person or nonresident whose license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended or revoked under this or any other law shall, before having the license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle reinstated, pay to the director a reinstatement fee of twenty dollars which shall be in addition to all other fees provided by law.

13. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if after two years from the effective date of any suspension or revocation issued under this chapter, the person or nonresident has not paid the reinstatement fee of twenty dollars, the director shall reinstate such license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state.

14. No person who has had a license to operate a motor vehicle suspended or revoked as a result of an assessment of points for a violation under subdivision (8), (9) or (10) of subsection 1 of section 302.302 shall have that license reinstated until such person has participated in and successfully completed a substance abuse traffic offender program defined in section 302.010, [except] or a program determined to be comparable by the department [may waive such requirement upon completion of a comparable program or upon good cause shown or the court may waive such requirement upon good cause shown. The court in making this determination shall consider the person's driving record, the circumstances surrounding the offense and the likelihood of the person committing a like offense in the future]. Assignment recommendations, based upon the needs assessment as described in subdivision (21) of section 302.010, shall be delivered in writing to the person with written notice that the person is entitled to have such assignment recommendations reviewed by the court if the person objects to the recommendations. The person may file a motion in the associate division of the circuit court, on a printed form provided by the state courts administrator, to have the court hear and determine such motion pursuant to the provisions of chapter 517, RSMo[, after reviewing such assessment]. The motion shall name the person or entity making the needs assessment as the respondent and a copy of the motion shall be served upon the respondent in any manner allowed by law. Upon hearing the motion, the court may modify or waive any assignment recommendation that the court determines to be unwarranted based upon a review of the needs assessment, the person's driving record, the circumstances surrounding the offense, and the likelihood of the person committing a like offense in the future, except that the court may modify but may not waive the assignment to an education or rehabilitation program of a person determined to be a prior or persistent offender as defined in section 577.023, RSMo, or of a person determined to have operated a motor vehicle with fifteen-hundredths of one percent or more by weight in such persons' blood. [Such assessment and] Compliance with the court determination of the motion shall satisfy the provisions of this section for the purpose of reinstating such person's license to operate a motor vehicle. The respondent's personal appearance at any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection shall not be necessary unless directed by the court.

15. The fees for the program authorized in subsection 14 of this section, or a portion thereof to be determined by the department of mental health, shall be paid by the person enrolled in the program. Any person who is enrolled in the program shall pay, in addition to any fee charged for the program, a supplemental fee of sixty dollars. The administrator of the program shall remit to the division of alcohol and drug abuse of the department of mental health the supplemental fee for all persons enrolled in the program, less two percent for administrative costs. The supplemental fees received by the department of mental health pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the mental health earnings fund which is created in section 630.053, RSMo.

302.309. 1. Whenever any license is suspended pursuant to sections 302.302 to 302.309, the director of revenue shall return the license to the operator immediately upon the termination of the period of suspension and upon compliance with the requirements of chapter 303, RSMo.

2. Any operator whose license is revoked pursuant to these sections, upon the termination of the period of revocation, shall apply for a new license in the manner prescribed by law.

3. (1) All circuit courts or the director of revenue shall have jurisdiction to hear applications and make eligibility determinations granting limited driving privileges. Any application may be made in writing to the director of revenue and the person's reasons for requesting the limited driving privilege shall be made therein.

(2) When any court of record having jurisdiction or the director of revenue finds that an operator is required to operate a motor vehicle in connection with any of the following:

(a) A business, occupation, or employment;

(b) Seeking medical treatment for such operator;

(d) Attending alcohol or drug treatment programs; or

(e) Any other circumstance the court or director finds would create an undue hardship on the operator; the court or director may grant such limited driving privilege as the circumstances of the case justify if the court or director finds undue hardship would result to the individual, and while so operating a motor vehicle within the restrictions and limitations of the limited driving privilege the driver shall not be guilty of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.

(3) An operator may make application to the proper court in the county in which such operator resides or in the county in which is located the operator's principal place of business or employment. Any application for a limited driving privilege made to a circuit court shall name the director as a party defendant and shall be served upon the director prior to the grant of any limited privilege, and shall be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's driving record as certified by the director. Any applicant for a limited driving privilege shall have on file with the department of revenue proof of financial responsibility as required by chapter 303, RSMo. Any application by a person who transports persons or property as classified in section 302.015 may be accompanied by proof of financial responsibility as required by chapter 303, RSMo, but if proof of financial responsibility does not accompany the application, or if the applicant does not have on file with the department of revenue proof of financial responsibility, the court or the director has discretion to grant the limited driving privilege to the person solely for the purpose of operating a vehicle whose owner has complied with chapter 303, RSMo, for that vehicle, and the limited driving privilege must state such restriction. When operating such vehicle under such restriction the person shall carry proof that the owner has complied with chapter 303, RSMo, for that vehicle.

(4) The court order or the director's grant of the limited driving privilege shall indicate the termination date of the privilege, which shall be not later than the end of the period of suspension or revocation. A copy of any court order shall be sent by the clerk of the court to the director, and a copy shall be given to the driver which shall be carried by the driver whenever such driver operates a motor vehicle. The director of revenue upon granting a limited driving privilege shall give a copy of the limited driving privilege to the applicant. The applicant shall carry a copy of the limited driving privilege while operating a motor vehicle. A conviction which results in the assessment of points pursuant to section 302.302, other than a violation of a municipal stop sign ordinance where no accident is involved, against a driver who is operating a vehicle pursuant to a limited driving privilege terminates the privilege, as of the date the points are assessed to the person's driving record. If the date of arrest is prior to the issuance of the limited driving privilege, the privilege shall not be terminated. The director shall notify by ordinary mail the driver whose privilege is so terminated.

(5) Except as provided in subdivision (6) of this subsection, no person is eligible to receive a limited driving privilege who at the time of application for a limited driving privilege has previously been granted such a privilege within the immediately preceding five years, or whose license has been suspended or revoked for the following reasons:

(a) A conviction of violating the provisions of section 577.010 or 577.012, RSMo, or any similar provision of any federal or state law, or a municipal or county law where the judge in such case was an attorney and the defendant was represented by or waived the right to an attorney in writing, until the person has completed the first thirty days of a suspension or revocation imposed pursuant to this chapter;

(b) A conviction of any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used;

(c) Ineligibility for a license because of the provisions of subdivision (1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10) or (11) of section 302.060;

(d) Because of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of narcotic drugs, a controlled substance as defined in chapter 195, RSMo, or having left the scene of an accident as provided in section 577.060, RSMo;

(e) Due to a revocation for the first time for failure to submit to a chemical test pursuant to section 577.041, RSMo, or due to a refusal to submit to a chemical test in any other state, if such person has not completed the first ninety days of such revocation;

(f) Violation more than once of the provisions of section 577.041, RSMo, or a similar implied consent law of any other state;

(g) Disqualification of a commercial driver's license pursuant to sections 302.700 to 302.780, however, nothing in this subsection shall prevent a person holding a commercial driver's license who is suspended or revoked as a result of an action occurring while not driving a commercial motor vehicle or driving for pay, but while driving in an individual capacity as an operator of a personal vehicle from applying for a limited driving privilege to operate a commercial vehicle, if otherwise eligible for such limited privilege; or

(h) Due to a suspension pursuant to subsection 2 of section 302.525 and who has not completed the first thirty days of such suspension, provided the person is not otherwise ineligible for a limited driving privilege; or due to a revocation pursuant to subsection 2 of section 302.525 if such person has not completed such revocation.

(6) (a) Provided that pursuant to the provisions of this section, the applicant is not otherwise ineligible for a limited driving privilege, a circuit court or the director may, in the manner prescribed in this subsection, allow a person who has had such person's license to operate a motor vehicle revoked where that person cannot obtain a new license for a period of ten years, as prescribed in subdivision (9) of section 302.060, to apply for a limited driving privilege pursuant to this subsection if such person has served at least three years of such disqualification or revocation. Such person shall present evidence satisfactory to the court or the director that such person has not been convicted of any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during the preceding three years and that the person's habits and conduct show that the person no longer poses a threat to the public safety of this state.

(b) Provided that pursuant to the provisions of this section, the applicant is not otherwise ineligible for a limited driving privilege or convicted of involuntary manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition, a circuit court or the director may, in the manner prescribed in this subsection, allow a person who has had such person's license to operate a motor vehicle revoked where that person cannot obtain a new license for a period of five years because of two convictions of driving while intoxicated, as prescribed in subdivision (10) of section 302.060, to apply for a limited driving privilege pursuant to this subsection if such person has served at least two years of such disqualification or revocation. Such person shall present evidence satisfactory to the court or the director that such person has not been convicted of any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during the preceding two years and that the person's habits and conduct show that the person no longer poses a threat to the public safety of this state. Any person who is denied a license permanently in this state because of an alcohol-related conviction subsequent to a restoration of such person's driving privileges pursuant to subdivision (9) of section 302.060 shall not be eligible for limited driving privilege pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision.

4. Any person who has received notice of denial of a request of limited driving privilege by the director of revenue may make a request for a review of the director's determination in the circuit court of the county in which the person resides or the county in which is located the person's principal place of business or employment within thirty days of the date of mailing of the notice of denial. Such review shall be based upon the records of the department of revenue and other competent evidence and shall be limited to a review of whether the applicant was statutorily entitled to the limited driving privilege.

5. The director of revenue shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, RSMo, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo, and, if applicable, section 536.028, RSMo. This section and chapter 536, RSMo, are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, to review, to delay the effective date or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2001, shall be invalid and void.

302.505. 1. The department shall suspend or revoke the license of any person upon its determination that the person was arrested upon probable cause to believe such person was driving a motor vehicle while the alcohol concentration in the person's blood, breath, or urine was [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight, based on the definition of alcohol concentration in section 302.500, or where such person was less than twenty-one years of age when stopped and was stopped upon probable cause to believe such person was driving while intoxicated in violation of section 577.010, RSMo, or driving with excessive blood alcohol content in violation of section 577.012, RSMo, or upon probable cause to believe such person violated a state, county or municipal traffic offense and such person was driving with a blood alcohol content of two-hundredths of one percent or more by weight.

2. The department shall make a determination of these facts on the basis of the report of a law enforcement officer required in section 302.510, and this determination shall be final unless a hearing is requested and held. If a hearing is held, the department shall review the matter and make a final determination on the basis of evidence received at the hearing.

3. The determination of these facts by the department is independent of the determination of the same or similar facts in the adjudication of any criminal charges arising out of the same occurrence. The disposition of those criminal charges shall not affect any suspension or revocation under this section.

302.510. 1. Except as provided in subsection 3 of this section, a law enforcement officer who arrests any person for a violation of any state statute related to driving while intoxicated or for a violation of a county or municipal ordinance prohibiting driving while intoxicated or a county or municipal alcohol related traffic offense, and in which the alcohol concentration in the person's blood, breath, or urine was [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight or two-hundredths of one percent or more by weight for anyone less than twenty-one years of age, shall forward to the department a verified report of all information relevant to the enforcement action, including information which adequately identifies the arrested person, a statement of the officer's grounds for belief that the person violated any state statute related to driving while intoxicated or was less than twenty-one years of age and was driving with two-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, or a county or municipal ordinance prohibiting driving while intoxicated or a county or municipal alcohol related traffic offense, a report of the results of any chemical tests which were conducted, and a copy of the citation and complaint filed with the court.

2. The report required by this section shall be made on forms supplied by the department or in a manner specified by regulations of the department.

3. A county or municipal ordinance prohibiting driving while intoxicated or a county or municipal alcohol related traffic offense may not be the basis for suspension or revocation of a driver's license pursuant to sections 302.500 to 302.540, unless the arresting law enforcement officer, other than an elected peace officer or official, has been certified by the director of the department of public safety pursuant to the provisions of sections 590.100 to 590.180, RSMo.

302.520. 1. Whenever the chemical test results are available to the law enforcement officer while the arrested person is still in custody, and where the results show an alcohol concentration of [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in such person's blood or where such person is less than twenty-one years of age and the results show that there is two-hundredths of one percent or more of alcohol in the person's blood, the officer, acting on behalf of the department, shall serve the notice of suspension or revocation personally on the arrested person.

2. When the law enforcement officer serves the notice of suspension or revocation, the officer shall take possession of any driver's license issued by this state which is held by the person. When the officer takes possession of a valid driver's license issued by this state, the officer, acting on behalf of the department, shall issue a temporary permit which is valid for fifteen days after its date of issuance and shall also give the person arrested a notice which shall inform the person of all rights and responsibilities pursuant to sections 302.500 to 302.540. The notice shall be in such form so that the arrested person may sign the original as evidence of receipt thereof. The notice shall also contain a detachable form permitting the arrested person to request a hearing. Signing the hearing request form and mailing such request to the department shall constitute a formal application for a hearing.

3. A copy of the completed notice of suspension or revocation form, a copy of any completed temporary permit form, a copy of the notice of rights and responsibilities given to the arrested person, including any request for hearing, and any driver's license taken into possession pursuant to this section shall be forwarded to the department by the officer along with the report required in section 302.510.

4. The department shall provide forms for notice of suspension or revocation, for notice of rights and responsibilities, for request for a hearing and for temporary permits to law enforcement agencies.

302.535. 1. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the department may file a petition for trial de novo by the circuit court. The burden of proof shall be on the state to adduce the evidence. Such trial shall be conducted pursuant to the Missouri rules of civil procedure and not as an appeal of an administrative decision pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo. The petition shall be filed in the circuit court of the county where the arrest occurred. The case shall be decided by the judge sitting without a jury. Until January 1, 2002, the presiding judge of the circuit court may assign a traffic judge, pursuant to section 479.500, RSMo 1994, a circuit judge or an associate circuit judge to hear such petition. After January 1, 2002, pursuant to local court rule pursuant to Article V, Section 15 of the Missouri Constitution, the case may be assigned to a circuit judge or an associate circuit judge, or to a traffic judge pursuant to section 479.500, RSMo.

2. The filing of a petition for trial de novo shall not result in a stay of the suspension or revocation order. But upon the filing of such petition, a restricted driving privilege for the limited purpose of driving in connection with the petitioner's business, occupation, employment, or formal program of secondary, postsecondary or higher education shall be issued by the department if the person's driving record shows no prior alcohol related enforcement contact during the immediately preceding five years. Such limited driving privilege shall terminate on the date of the disposition of the petition for trial de novo.

3. In addition to the limited driving privilege as permitted in subsection 2 of this section, the department may upon the filing of a petition for trial de novo issue a restricted driving privilege for the limited purpose of driving in connection with the petitioner's business, occupation, employment, or formal program of secondary, postsecondary or higher education. In determining whether to issue such a restrictive driving privilege, the department shall consider the number and the seriousness of prior convictions and the entire driving record of the driver.

4. Such time of restricted driving privilege pending disposition of trial de novo shall be counted toward any time of restricted driving privilege imposed pursuant to section 302.525. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent a person from maintaining his restricted driving privilege for an additional sixty days in order to meet the conditions imposed by section 302.540 for reinstating a person's driver's license.

302.540. 1. No person who has had a license to operate a motor vehicle suspended or revoked under the provisions of sections 302.500 to 302.540 shall have that license reinstated until such person has participated in and successfully completed a substance abuse traffic offender program defined in section 302.010, [except] or a program determined to be comparable by the department [may waive such requirement upon completion of a comparable program or upon good cause shown or the court may waive such requirement upon good cause shown. The court in making this determination shall consider the person's driving record, the circumstances surrounding the offense and the likelihood of the person committing a like offense in the future]. Assignment recommendations, based upon the needs assessment as described in subdivision (21) of section 302.010, shall be delivered in writing to the person with written notice that the person is entitled to have such assignment recommendations reviewed by the court if the person objects to the recommendations. The person may file a motion in the associate division of the circuit court, on a printed form provided by the state courts administrator, to have the court hear and determine such motion pursuant to the provisions of chapter 517, RSMo[, after reviewing such assessment]. The motion shall name the person or entity making the needs assessment as the respondent and a copy of the motion shall be served upon the respondent in any manner allowed by law. [Such assessment and] Upon hearing the motion, the court may modify or waive any assignment recommendation that the court determines to be unwarranted based upon a review of the needs assessment, the person's driving record, the circumstances surrounding the offense, and the likelihood of the person committing a like offense in the future, except that the court may modify but may not waive the assignment to an education or rehabilitation program of a person determined to be a prior or persistent offender as defined in section 577.023, RSMo, or of a person determined to have operated a motor vehicle with fifteen-hundredths of one percent or more by weight in such persons' blood. Compliance with the court determination of the motion shall satisfy the provisions of this section for the purpose of reinstating such person's license to operate a motor vehicle. The respondent's personal appearance at any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection shall not be necessary unless directed by the court.

2. The fees for the program authorized in subsection 1 of this section, or a portion thereof to be determined by the division of alcohol and drug abuse of the department of mental health, shall be paid by the person enrolled in the program. Any person who is enrolled in the program shall pay, in addition to any fee charged for the program, a supplemental fee of sixty dollars. The administrator of the program shall remit to the division of alcohol and drug abuse of the department of mental health the supplemental fee for all persons enrolled in the program, less two percent for administrative costs. The supplemental fees received by the department of mental health pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the mental health earnings fund which is created in section 630.053, RSMo.

3. Court-ordered participation in a substance abuse traffic offender program, pursuant to section 577.049, RSMo, shall satisfy the requirements of this section if the court action arose out of the same occurrence that resulted in a person's license being administratively suspended or revoked.

4. The division of alcohol and drug abuse of the department of mental health may create a treatment demonstration project within existing appropriations and shall develop and certify a program to provide education or rehabilitation services for individuals determined by the division to be serious or repeat offenders. The program shall qualify as a substance abuse traffic offender program. As used in this subsection, a serious or repeat offender is one who was determined to have a blood alcohol content of fifteen-hundredths of one percent or more by weight while operating a motor vehicle or a prior or persistent offender as defined in section 577.023, RSMo.

302.541. 1. In addition to other fees required by law, any person who has had a license to operate a motor vehicle suspended or revoked following a determination, pursuant to section 302.505, or section 577.010, 577.012, 577.041 or 577.510, RSMo, or any county or municipal ordinance, where the judge in such case was an attorney and the defendant was represented by or waived the right to an attorney, that such person was driving while intoxicated or with a blood alcohol content of [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight or, where such person was at the time of the arrest less than twenty-one years of age and was driving with a blood alcohol content of two-hundredths of one percent or more by weight, shall pay an additional fee of twenty-five dollars prior to the reinstatement or reissuance of the license.

2. Any person less than twenty-one years of age whose driving privilege has been suspended or revoked solely for a first determination pursuant to sections 302.500 to 302.540 that such person was driving a motor vehicle with two-hundredths of one percent or more blood alcohol content is exempt from filing proof of financial responsibility with the department of revenue in accordance with chapter 303, RSMo, as a prerequisite for reinstatement of driving privileges or obtaining a restricted driving privilege as provided by section 302.525.

304.027. 1. There is hereby created in the state treasury for use by the board of curators of the University of Missouri a fund to be known as the "Spinal Cord Injury Fund". All judgments collected pursuant to this section, appropriations of the general assembly, federal grants, private donations and any other moneys designated for the spinal cord injury fund established pursuant to sections 302.133 to 302.138, RSMo, shall be deposited in the fund. Moneys deposited in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the general assembly to the board of curators, be received and expended by the board for the purpose of funding research projects that promote an advancement of knowledge in the area of spinal cord injury. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080, RSMo, to the contrary, any unexpended balance in the spinal cord injury fund at the end of any biennium shall not be transferred to the general revenue fund.

2. Any person who is convicted of an intoxication-related offense, as defined by section 577.023, RSMo, shall have a judgment entered against the defendant in favor of the spinal cord injury fund, in the amount of twenty-five dollars.

3. The judgments collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the spinal cord injury fund created in this section. Any court clerk receiving funds pursuant to judgments entered pursuant to this section shall collect and disburse such amounts as provided in sections 488.010 to 488.020, RSMo.

479.500. 1. In the twenty-first judicial circuit, a majority of the circuit judges, en banc, may establish a traffic court, which shall be a division of the circuit court, and may authorize the appointment of not more than three municipal judges who shall be known as traffic judges. The traffic judges shall be appointed by a traffic court judicial commission consisting of the presiding judge of the circuit, who shall be the chair, one circuit judge elected by the circuit judges, one associate circuit judge elected by the associate circuit judges of the circuit, and two members appointed by the county executive of St. Louis County, each of whom shall represent one of the two political parties casting the highest number of votes at the next preceding gubernatorial election. The procedures and operations of the traffic court judicial commission shall be established by circuit court rule.

2. Traffic judges may be authorized to act as commissioners to hear in the first instance nonfelony violations of state law involving motor vehicles, and such other offenses as may be provided by circuit court rule. Traffic judges may also be authorized to hear in the first instance violations of county and municipal ordinances involving motor vehicles, and other county ordinance violations, as provided by circuit court rule.

3. In the event that a county municipal court is established pursuant to section 66.010, RSMo, which takes jurisdiction of county ordinance violations the circuit court may then authorize the appointment of no more than two traffic judges authorized to hear municipal ordinance violations other than county ordinance violations, and to act as commissioner to hear in the first instance nonfelony violations of state law involving motor vehicles, and such other offenses as may be provided by rule. These traffic court judges also may be authorized to act as commissioners to hear in the first instance petitions to review decisions of the department of revenue or the director of revenue filed pursuant to sections 302.309[,] and 302.311, [302.535 and 302.750,] RSMo, and, prior to January 1, 2002, pursuant to sections 302.535 and 302.750, RSMo.

4. After January 1, 2002, traffic judges, in addition to the authority provided in subsection 3 of this section, may be authorized by local court rule adopted pursuant to Article V, Section 15 of the Missouri Constitution to conduct proceedings pursuant to section 302.535 and 302.750, RSMo, subject to procedures that preserve a meaningful hearing before a judge of the circuit court, as follows:

(1) Conduct the initial call docket and accept uncontested dispositions of petitions to review;

(2) The petitioner shall have the right to the de novo hearing before a judge of the circuit court, except that, at the option of the petitioner, traffic judges may hear in the first instance such petitions for review.

[4.] 5. In establishing a traffic court, the circuit may be divided into such sectors as may be established by a majority of the circuit and associate circuit judges, en banc. The traffic court in each sector shall hear those cases arising within the territorial limits of the sector unless a case arising within another sector is transferred as provided by operating procedures.

[5.] 6. Traffic judges shall be licensed to practice law in this state and shall serve at the pleasure of a majority of the circuit and associate circuit judges, en banc, and shall be residents of St. Louis County, and shall receive from the state as annual compensation an amount equal to one-third of the annual compensation of an associate circuit judge. Each judge shall devote approximately one-third of his working time to the performance of his duties as a traffic judge. Traffic judges shall not accept or handle cases in their practice of law which are inconsistent with their duties as a traffic judge and shall not be a judge or prosecutor for any other court. Traffic judges shall not be considered state employees and shall not be members of the state employees' or judicial retirement system or be eligible to receive any other employment benefit accorded state employees or judges.

[6.] 7. A majority of the judges, en banc, shall establish operating procedures for the traffic court which shall provide for regular sessions in the evenings after 6:00 p.m. and for Saturday or other sessions as efficient operation and convenience to the public may require. Proceedings in the traffic court, except when a judge is acting as a commissioner pursuant to this section, shall be conducted as provided in supreme court rule 37. The hearing shall be before a traffic judge without jury, and the judge shall assume an affirmative duty to determine the merits of the evidence presented and the defenses of the defendant and may question parties and witnesses. [No term of imprisonment or confinement may be assessed by a traffic judge.] In the event a jury trial is requested, the cause shall be certified to the circuit court for trial by jury as otherwise provided by law. Clerks and computer personnel shall be assigned as needed for the efficient operation of the court.

[7.] 8. In establishing operating procedure, provisions shall be made for appropriate circumstances whereby defendants may enter not guilty pleas and obtain trial dates by telephone or written communication without personal appearance, or to plead guilty and deliver by mail or electronic transfer or other approved method the specified amount of the fine and costs as otherwise provided by law, within a specified period of time.

[8.] 9. Operating procedures shall be provided for electronic recording of proceedings, except that if adequate recording equipment is not provided at county expense, then, in that event, a person aggrieved by a judgment of a traffic judge or commissioner shall have the right of a trial de novo. The procedures for perfecting the right of a trial de novo shall be the same as that provided under sections 512.180 to 512.320, RSMo, except that the provisions of subsection 2 of section 512.180, RSMo, shall not apply to such cases.

[9.] 10. The circuit court shall only have the authority to appoint two commissioners with the jurisdiction provided in subsection 3 of this section.

[10.] 11. All costs to establish and operate a county municipal court under section 66.010, RSMo, and this section shall be borne by such county.

577.012. 1. A person commits the crime of "driving with excessive blood alcohol content" if such person operates a motor vehicle in this state with [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in such person's blood.

2. As used in this section, percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of blood or two hundred ten liters of breath and may be shown by chemical analysis of the person's blood, breath, saliva or urine. For the purposes of determining the alcoholic content of a person's blood under this section, the test shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of sections 577.020 to 577.041.

3. For the first offense, driving with excessive blood alcohol content is a class [C] B misdemeanor.

577.021. [A member of the state highway patrol] Any state, county or municipal law enforcement officer who has the power of arrest for violations of section 577.010 or 577.012 and who is certified pursuant to chapter 590, RSMo, may, prior to arrest, administer a chemical test to any person suspected of operating a motor vehicle in violation of section 577.010 or 577.012. A test administered pursuant to this section shall be admissible as evidence of probable cause to arrest and as exculpatory evidence, but shall not be admissible as evidence of blood alcohol content. The provisions of section 577.020 shall not apply to a test administered prior to arrest pursuant to this section.

577.023. 1. For purposes of this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) An "intoxication-related traffic offense" is driving while intoxicated, driving with excessive blood alcohol content, involuntary manslaughter pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of section 565.024, RSMo, assault in the second degree pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection 1 of section 565.060, RSMo, assault of a law enforcement officer in the second degree pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection 1 of section 565.082, RSMo, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in violation of state law or a county or municipal ordinance, where the judge in such case was an attorney and the defendant was represented by or waived the right to an attorney in writing;

(2) A "persistent offender" is one of the following:

(a) A person who has pleaded guilty to or has been found guilty of two or more intoxication-related traffic offenses, where such two or more offenses occurred within ten years of the occurrence of the intoxication-related traffic offense for which the person is charged;

(b) A person who has pleaded guilty to or has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter pursuant to subsection 1 of section 565.024, RSMo, assault in the second degree pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection 1 of section 565.060, RSMo, assault of a law enforcement officer in the second degree pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection 1 of section 565.082, RSMo; and

(3) A "prior offender" is a person who has pleaded guilty to or has been found guilty of one intoxication-related traffic offense, where such prior offense occurred within five years of the occurrence of the intoxication-related traffic offense for which the person is charged.

2. Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of section 577.010 or 577.012 who is alleged and proved to be a prior offender shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

3. Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of section 577.010 or 577.012 who is alleged and proved to be a persistent offender shall be guilty of a class D felony.

4. No court shall suspend the imposition of sentence as to a prior or persistent offender under this section nor sentence such person to pay a fine in lieu of a term of imprisonment, section 557.011, RSMo, to the contrary notwithstanding[, nor shall such person]. No prior offender shall be eligible for parole or probation until he has served a minimum of [forty-eight consecutive hours'] five days imprisonment, unless as a condition of such parole or probation such person performs at least [ten] thirty days of community service under the supervision of the court in those jurisdictions which have a recognized program for community service. No persistent offender shall be eligible for parole or probation until he or she has served a minimum of ten days imprisonment, unless as a condition of such parole or probation such person performs at least sixty days of community service under the supervision of the court.

5. The court shall find the defendant to be a prior offender or persistent offender, if:

(1) The indictment or information, original or amended, or the information in lieu of an indictment pleads all essential facts warranting a finding that the defendant is a prior offender or persistent offender; and

(2) Evidence is introduced that establishes sufficient facts pleaded to warrant a finding beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant is a prior offender or persistent offender; and

(3) The court makes findings of fact that warrant a finding beyond a reasonable doubt by the court that the defendant is a prior offender or persistent offender.

6. In a jury trial, the facts shall be pleaded, established and found prior to submission to the jury outside of its hearing.

7. In a trial without a jury or upon a plea of guilty, the court may defer the proof in findings of such facts to a later time, but prior to sentencing.

8. The defendant shall be accorded full rights of confrontation and cross-examination, with the opportunity to present evidence, at such hearings.

9. The defendant may waive proof of the facts alleged.

10. Nothing in this section shall prevent the use of presentence investigations or commitments.

11. At the sentencing hearing both the state and the defendant shall be permitted to present additional information bearing on the issue of sentence.

12. The pleas or findings of guilty shall be prior to the date of commission of the present offense.

13. The court shall not instruct the jury as to the range of punishment or allow the jury, upon a finding of guilty, to assess and declare the punishment as part of its verdict in cases of prior offenders or persistent offenders.

14. Evidence of prior convictions shall be heard and determined by the trial court out of the hearing of the jury prior to the submission of the case to the jury, and shall include but not be limited to evidence of convictions received by a search of the records of the Missouri uniform law enforcement system maintained by the Missouri state highway patrol. After hearing the evidence, the court shall enter its findings thereon. A conviction of a violation of a municipal or county ordinance in a county or municipal court for driving while intoxicated or a conviction or a plea of guilty or a finding of guilty followed by a suspended imposition of sentence, suspended execution of sentence, probation or parole or any combination thereof in a state court shall be treated as a prior conviction.

577.037. 1. Upon the trial of any person for violation of any of the provisions of section 565.024, RSMo, or section 565.060, RSMo, or section 577.010 or 577.012, or upon the trial of any criminal action or violations of county or municipal ordinances or in any license suspension or revocation proceeding pursuant to the provisions of chapter 302, RSMo, arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person while driving a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated condition, the amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time of the act alleged as shown by any chemical analysis of the person's blood, breath, saliva or urine is admissible in evidence and the provisions of subdivision (5) of section 491.060, RSMo, shall not prevent the admissibility or introduction of such evidence if otherwise admissible. If there was [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, this shall be prima facie evidence that the person was intoxicated at the time the specimen was taken.

2. Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath.

3. The foregoing provisions of this section shall not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the question whether the person was intoxicated.

4. A chemical analysis of a person's breath, blood, saliva or urine, in order to give rise to the presumption or to have the effect provided for in subsection 1 of this section, shall have been performed as provided in sections 577.020 to 577.041 and in accordance with methods and standards approved by the state department of health.

5. Any charge alleging a violation of section 577.010 or 577.012 or any county or municipal ordinance prohibiting driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol shall be dismissed with prejudice if a chemical analysis of the defendant's breath, blood, saliva, or urine performed in accordance with sections 577.020 to 577.041 and rules promulgated thereunder by the state department of health demonstrate that there was less than [ten-hundredths] eight-hundredths of one percent of alcohol in the defendant's blood unless one or more of the following considerations cause the court to find a dismissal unwarranted:

(1) There is evidence that the chemical analysis is unreliable as evidence of the defendant's intoxication at the time of the alleged violation due to the lapse of time between the alleged violation and the obtaining of the specimen;

(2) There is evidence that the defendant was under the influence of a controlled substance, or drug, or a combination of either or both with or without alcohol; or

(3) There is substantial evidence of intoxication from physical observations of witnesses or admissions of the defendant.

577.041. 1. If a person under arrest, or who has been stopped pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection 1 of section 577.020, refuses upon the request of the officer to submit to any test allowed pursuant to section 577.020, then none shall be given and evidence of the refusal shall be admissible in a proceeding pursuant to section 565.024 or 565.060, RSMo, or section 577.010 or 577.012. The request of the officer shall include the reasons of the officer for requesting the person to submit to a test and also shall inform the person that evidence of refusal to take the test may be used against such person and that the person's license shall be immediately revoked upon refusal to take the test. If a person when requested to submit to any test allowed pursuant to section 577.020 requests to speak to an attorney, the person shall be granted twenty minutes in which to attempt to contact an attorney. If upon the completion of the twenty-minute period the person continues to refuse to submit to any test, it shall be deemed a refusal. In this event, the officer shall, on behalf of the director of revenue, serve the notice of license revocation personally upon the person and shall take possession of any license to operate a motor vehicle issued by this state which is held by that person. The officer shall issue a temporary permit, on behalf of the director of revenue, which is valid for fifteen days and shall also give the person a notice of such person's right to file a petition for review to contest the license revocation.

2. The officer shall make a sworn report to the director of revenue, which shall include the following:

(1) That the officer has:

(a) Reasonable grounds to believe that the arrested person was driving a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated or drugged condition; or

(b) Reasonable grounds to believe that the person stopped, being under the age of twenty-one years, was driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of two-hundredths of one percent or more by weight; or

(c) Reasonable grounds to believe that the person stopped, being under the age of twenty-one years, was committing a violation of the traffic laws of the state, or political subdivision of the state, and such officer has reasonable grounds to believe, after making such stop, that the person had a blood alcohol content of two-hundredths of one percent or greater;

(2) That the person refused to submit to a chemical test;

(3) Whether the officer secured the license to operate a motor vehicle of the person;

(4) Whether the officer issued a fifteen-day temporary permit;

(5) Copies of the notice of revocation, the fifteen-day temporary permit and the notice of the right to file a petition for review, which notices and permit may be combined in one document; and

(6) Any license to operate a motor vehicle which the officer has taken into possession.

3. Upon receipt of the officer's report, the director shall revoke the license of the person refusing to take the test for a period of one year; or if the person is a nonresident, such person's operating permit or privilege shall be revoked for one year; or if the person is a resident without a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle in this state, an order shall be issued denying the person the issuance of a license or permit for a period of one year.

4. If a person's license has been revoked because of the person's refusal to submit to a chemical test, such person may petition for a hearing before a circuit or associate circuit court in the county in which the arrest or stop occurred. The person may request such court to issue an order staying the revocation until such time as the petition for review can be heard. If the court, in its discretion, grants such stay, it shall enter the order upon a form prescribed by the director of revenue and shall send a copy of such order to the director. Such order shall serve as proof of the privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state and the director shall maintain possession of the person's license to operate a motor vehicle until termination of any revocation pursuant to this section. Upon the person's request the clerk of the court shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county and the prosecutor shall appear at the hearing on behalf of the director of revenue. At the hearing the court shall determine only:

(1) Whether or not the person was arrested or stopped;

(2) Whether or not the officer had:

(a) Reasonable grounds to believe that the person was driving a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated or drugged condition; or

(c) Reasonable grounds to believe that the person stopped, being under the age of twenty-one years, was committing a violation of the traffic laws of the state, or political subdivision of the state, and such officer had reasonable grounds to believe, after making such stop, that the person had a blood alcohol content of two-hundredths of one percent or greater; and

(3) Whether or not the person refused to submit to the test.

5. If the court determines any issue not to be in the affirmative, the court shall order the director to reinstate the license or permit to drive.

6. Requests for review as provided in this section shall go to the head of the docket of the court wherein filed.

7. No person who has had a license to operate a motor vehicle suspended or revoked pursuant to the provisions of this section shall have that license reinstated until such person has participated in and successfully completed a substance abuse traffic offender program defined in section 577.001, [except] or a program determined to be comparable by the department or the court [may waive such requirement upon completion of a comparable program or upon good cause shown or the court may waive such requirement upon good cause shown. The court in making this determination shall consider the person's driving record, the circumstances surrounding the offense and the likelihood of the person committing a like offense in the future]. Assignment recommendations, based upon the needs assessment as described in subdivision (21) of section 302.010, RSMo, shall be delivered in writing to the person with written notice that the person is entitled to have such assignment recommendations reviewed by the court if the person objects to the recommendations. The person may file a motion in the associate division of the circuit court, on a printed form provided by the state courts administrator, to have the court hear and determine such motion pursuant to the provisions of chapter 517, RSMo[, after reviewing such assessment]. The motion shall name the person or entity making the needs assessment as the respondent and a copy of the motion shall be served upon the respondent in any manner allowed by law. [Such assessment and] Upon hearing the motion, the court may modify or waive any assignment recommendation that the court determines to be unwarranted based upon a review of the needs assessment, the person's driving record, the circumstances surrounding the offense, and the likelihood of the person committing a like offense in the future, except that the court may modify but may not waive the assignment to an education or rehabilitation program of a person determined to be a prior or persistent offender as defined in section 577.023, RSMo, or of a person determined to have operated a motor vehicle with fifteen-hundredths of one percent or more by weight in such persons' blood. Compliance with the court determination of the motion shall satisfy the provisions of this section for the purpose of reinstating such person's license to operate a motor vehicle. The respondent's personal appearance at any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection shall not be necessary unless directed by the court.

8. The fees for the substance abuse traffic offender program, or a portion thereof to be determined by the division of alcohol and drug abuse of the department of mental health, shall be paid by the person enrolled in the program. Any person who is enrolled in the program shall pay, in addition to any fee charged for the program, a supplemental fee of sixty dollars. The administrator of the program shall remit to the division of alcohol and drug abuse of the department of mental health the supplemental fee for all persons enrolled in the program, less two percent for administrative costs. The supplemental fees received by the department of mental health pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the mental health earnings fund which is created in section 630.053, RSMo.

577.600. 1. [Beginning January 1, 1996,] In addition to any other provisions of law, a court may require that any person who is found guilty of or pleads guilty to a first intoxication-related traffic offense, as defined in section 577.023, and a court shall require that any person who is found guilty of or pleads guilty to a second or subsequent intoxication-related traffic offense, as defined in section 577.023, [who was granted probation,] shall not operate [a] any motor vehicle [during the period of probation] unless that vehicle is equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device [as provided in sections 577.600 to 577.614] for a period of not less than one month from the date of reinstatement of the person's drivers license. In addition, any court authorized to grant a limited driving privilege under section 302.309, RSMo, [may] to any person who is found guilty or pleads guilty to a second or subsequent intoxication-related traffic offense shall require the use of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person as a required condition of the limited driving privilege. Any person required to use an ignition interlock device shall comply with the court order, subject to the penalties provided by [sections 577.600 to 577.614] this section.

2. No person shall knowingly rent, lease or lend a motor vehicle to a person known to have had [his] that person's driving privilege restricted as provided in subsection 1 of this section, unless the vehicle is equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device. Any person whose driving privilege is restricted as provided in subsection 1 of this section shall notify any other person who rents, leases or loans a motor vehicle to [him] that person of the driving restriction imposed [under] pursuant to this section.

3. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

577.602. 1. [No court shall require the use of an ignition interlock device until it has made an affirmative finding that such a requirement will not impose any undue hardship by reason of the cost of the device or by reason of the difficulties associated with any necessary installation, testing, calibration, servicing or removal of the device. No court shall be required to require a person who is found guilty of or pleads guilty to a second intoxication-related traffic offense, as defined in section 577.023, to use an ignition interlock device as a condition of a limited driving privilege if such a device cannot be installed within fifty miles of the county seat of such person's county of residence; however, the court in such case may, in its discretion, require the use of such a device.

2.] If a court imposes a fine and requires the use of an ignition interlock device for the same offense, the amount of the fine may be reduced by the cost of the ignition interlock device.

[3.] 2. If the court requires the use of an ignition interlock device, it shall order the installation of the device on any vehicle which the [probationer] offender operates during the period of probation or limited driving privilege.

[4.] 3. If the court imposes the use of an ignition interlock device on a person having full or limited driving privileges, the court shall require the person to provide proof of compliance with the order to the court or the probation officer within thirty days of this court's order or sooner, as required by the court. If the person fails to provide proof of installation within that period, absent a finding by the court of good cause for that failure which is entered in the court record, the court shall revoke or terminate the person's probation or limited driving privilege.

[5.] 4. Nothing in sections 577.600 to 577.614 shall be construed to authorize a person to operate a motor vehicle whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked, unless the person has obtained a limited driving privilege or restricted driving privilege under other provisions of law.

[6.] 5. The person whose driving privilege is restricted pursuant to section 577.600 shall report to the court or the probation officer at least once annually, or more frequently as the court may order, on the operation of each ignition interlock device in the person's vehicle or vehicles. Such person shall be responsible for the cost and maintenance of the ignition interlock device. If such device is broken, destroyed or stolen, such person shall also be liable for the cost of replacement of the device.

[7.] 6. The court may require a person whose driving privilege is restricted under section 577.600 to report to any officer appointed by the court in lieu of a probation officer.

[8.] 7. The court shall require periodic calibration checks that are needed for the proper operation of the ignition interlock device.

Section B. The repeal and reenactment of sections 302.302, 302.309, 302.505, 302.510, 302.520, 302.541, 577.012, 577.023 and 577.037 shall become effective September 29, 2001.

Missouri House of Representatives