The proposed bill amends New Jersey's implied consent law to include blood testing for individuals operating a motor vehicle, in addition to the existing breath testing. It establishes a per se standard for determining when a person is driving under the influence of marijuana and certain controlled dangerous substances. Under the new provisions, any person operating a vehicle is deemed to have consented to blood or breath tests to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs, provided these tests are conducted at the request of a police officer with reasonable grounds to suspect a violation of driving under the influence laws.

The bill sets specific thresholds for impairment due to marijuana, defining a person as under the influence if their blood contains three nanograms or more of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per milliliter. It also classifies individuals as under the influence if their blood contains any amount of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance or its metabolites, as well as any amount of Schedule II or III substances that are not medically prescribed. By enhancing the legal framework for testing and prosecuting drug-impaired driving, the bill aims to improve road safety and address the increasing concerns surrounding the influence of drugs on driving behavior.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39:4-50.2