House Bill No. introduced by S. Kelly and others aims to revise laws related to driving under the influence (DUI) in Montana. The bill adds "driving while under the influence of alcohol and certain controlled substances" as an offense, specifically excluding marijuana that is not prescribed to the individual. It amends existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include penalties for driving under the influence of both alcohol and controlled substances, with specific provisions for different types of vehicles and age-related alcohol concentration limits. Notably, the bill establishes that a person can be charged with a felony for driving under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance, with severe penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment terms that increase with subsequent offenses.

The bill also outlines the penalties for first through third DUI offenses, with increased fines and imprisonment terms for violations involving passengers under the age of 16. It emphasizes that mandatory minimum imprisonment cannot be served under home arrest and may not be suspended unless deemed necessary for the individual's well-being. Additionally, the bill mandates compliance with chemical dependency education and treatment programs, and it includes provisions for the suspension of the individual's driver's license based on the number of offenses. Overall, the legislation seeks to strengthen DUI laws and enhance public safety on Montana's roads.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_1(1): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_1(2): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_1(3): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_1(4): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_1(5): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_1: 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(1): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(10): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(2): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(3): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(4): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(5): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(6): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(7): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(8): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2(9): 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007
HB0541_2: 61-8-1002, 61-8-1007