House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise the penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) offenses in Montana by amending Sections 61-8-1007 and 61-8-1008 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The bill increases the minimum imprisonment for a first DUI offense from 24 hours to 3 days and for a second offense from 7 days to 30 days. It also consolidates penalties for third offenses into the second offense category and introduces new provisions regarding the suspension of imprisonment sentences. Additionally, the bill raises penalties for DUI offenses involving passengers under 16 years of age and modifies the penalties for aggravated DUI offenses, increasing the minimum imprisonment for first and second violations.

Moreover, the bill reduces the number of prior convictions required for felony DUI charges from three to two and emphasizes compliance with chemical dependency treatment programs. It introduces new provisions regarding restricted or probationary driver's licenses, requiring individuals to pay a reinstatement fee and complete a minimum suspension period before eligibility. The bill classifies a fourth DUI violation as a felony and imposes stricter penalties for fifth or subsequent violations, aiming to enhance road safety and deter repeat offenses.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_1(1): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_1(2): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_1(3): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_1(4): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_1(5): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_1: 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(1): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(10): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(2): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(3): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(4): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(5): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(6): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(7): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(8): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2(9): 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008
HB0542_2: 61-8-1007, 61-8-1008