The bill aims to eliminate jail penalties for individuals convicted of driving while their license is suspended or revoked. Specifically, it amends Section 61-5-212 of the Montana Code Annotated by removing the requirement for imprisonment for those convicted of driving without a statutory exemption or during a suspension or revocation period. The proposed changes include deleting the mandatory imprisonment terms of 2 days to 6 months for second offenses and the option for imprisonment for up to 6 months for driving during a suspension or revocation. Instead, individuals would only face fines, with the maximum fine set at $500.

Additionally, the bill maintains the provision that if the suspension or revocation is due to specific violations related to driving under the influence, the penalties would still include a fine of up to $2,000 and the possibility of community service, but it removes the requirement for imprisonment in these cases as well. Overall, the legislation seeks to reform the penalties associated with driving offenses related to license status, focusing on financial penalties rather than incarceration.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 61-5-212