The proposed Michelle Sous Law mandates that a blood sample be obtained from any driver involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in death, aiming to improve accountability and accurately assess intoxication levels in fatal incidents. This bill amends existing driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws by introducing this new blood sample requirement and emphasizes the importance of determining the influence of alcohol or drugs in such tragic events. Additionally, the bill deletes the phrase "resulting in death" from the context of police considerations, broadening the focus to include bodily injury or property damage when assessing DWI violations.

Furthermore, the bill amends New Jersey's implied consent law to require blood samples, alongside breath tests, for drivers involved in fatal accidents, with the aim of enhancing enforcement of DWI laws. It establishes penalties for individuals who refuse to submit to a blood test, equating them to those for refusing a breath test. The legislation also includes provisions related to Intoxicated Driver Resource Centers, outlining requirements for treatment and education programs, as well as fee collection to support these initiatives. Overall, the Michelle Sous Law seeks to strengthen public safety measures regarding impaired driving and improve the legal framework surrounding such offenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39:4-50.2, 39:4-50.4