The bill amends existing laws regarding vehicular negligent injuring and first degree vehicular negligent injuring in Louisiana. It introduces new penalties for these offenses, particularly when the offender's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is elevated. Specifically, it establishes that if a person commits vehicular negligent injuring with a BAC of at least 0.15% but less than 0.20%, they will face a minimum of seven days in jail, while those with a BAC of 0.20% or higher will face a minimum of thirty days. Additionally, first degree vehicular negligent injuring is classified as a crime of violence if the operator's BAC exceeds 0.20%.

The bill also increases the maximum fines and prison sentences for first degree vehicular negligent injuring, raising the fine from two thousand to five thousand dollars and the imprisonment term from five to ten years. Furthermore, it mandates that offenders with a BAC of at least 0.15% or prior convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated must serve a minimum of two years without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. During any probation period, offenders are required to participate in a court-approved substance abuse treatment program and may also need to complete a driver improvement program.

Statutes affected:
SB401 Original: 14:1(C), 14:2(D)
SB401 Engrossed: 14:1(C), 14:2(D)
SB401 Reengrossed: 14:1(C), 14:2(D)
SB401 Enrolled: 14:1(C), 14:2(D)
SB401 Act 523: 14:1(C), 14:2(D)