House Bill No. 552, introduced by Representative Bryant, aims to amend existing laws related to driving while intoxicated (DWI) by incorporating the term "impaired" alongside "intoxicated" in various legal provisions. The bill modifies R.S. 13:1894.1 and 1894.2, R.S. 32:662.1, and Code of Criminal Procedure Article 814, ensuring that prosecutions for operating a vehicle while impaired are treated similarly to those for operating while intoxicated. This includes allowing city, parish, and municipal courts to charge and prosecute violations under the same standards and penalties as those outlined in R.S. 14:98, which governs DWI offenses.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any person convicted of a crime where alcohol was a contributing factor will incur additional costs, and it clarifies the admissibility of certain evidence in cases involving intoxication or impairment. The proposed changes also specify the responsive verdicts available for offenses such as vehicular negligent injuring, explicitly including the option of guilty for operating a vehicle while impaired. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the legal framework surrounding DWI offenses by broadening the scope of what constitutes impairment and ensuring consistent application of penalties and procedures.

Statutes affected:
HB552 Original: 13:1(A), 13:2(A)
HB552 Engrossed: 13:1(A), 13:2(A)
HB552 Reengrossed: 13:1(A), 13:2(A)