This bill amends Kansas laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI), specifically reclassifying DUI offenses related to commercial vehicles as person crimes and increasing penalties for first and second DUI convictions. The bill modifies existing statutes to change the classification of these misdemeanors from "nonperson" to "person," resulting in harsher penalties, including a minimum of 48 hours to a maximum of six months of imprisonment for a first conviction and a minimum of 120 hours for a second conviction. A third or subsequent conviction is classified as a severity level 6 person felony. Additionally, the bill introduces enhanced penalties for DUI offenses involving children under 18 in the vehicle, mandates alcohol and drug evaluations for first and second convictions, and prohibits plea bargaining that would allow offenders to evade mandatory penalties.

Moreover, the bill outlines amendments to sentencing guidelines, establishing mandatory conditions for individuals convicted of third or subsequent offenses, including a minimum of 30 days of confinement. It introduces a credit system for time served in confinement alternatives, such as work release programs or house arrest. The bill also addresses the prosecution of ordinance violations that align with felony violations, requiring city attorneys to refer such cases to county or district attorneys and prohibiting plea bargaining to evade penalties. It allocates increased fines to community alcoholism and intoxication programs and a new alcohol and drug abuse treatment fund, while also repealing certain existing statutes. The term "nonperson" has been deleted from the legal language regarding felony classifications, reflecting a significant shift in how these offenses are categorized.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 8-2, 8-1567, 75-52