The bill H.18 proposes to decriminalize nonmoving violations for individuals who operate a motor vehicle after their license has been suspended or revoked for a third or subsequent time within a two-year period. Specifically, it establishes a civil violation for these third-time offenders, provided that the basis for the offense is a moving violation. The bill amends current law by inserting language that specifies the conditions under which a person may be penalized for operating a vehicle after suspension, including the removal of certain previous legal language that specified penalties for third offenses occurring on or after December 1, 2016.

Additionally, the bill outlines various penalties for operating a vehicle after suspension, including mandatory minimum fines and community service requirements for first and second offenses, and specifies that for third and subsequent offenses, imprisonment terms will not be suspended or deferred. The bill also includes provisions for the immobilization or forfeiture of vehicles involved in such offenses and establishes a $50 surcharge to be added to any fines, which will be credited to the DUI Enforcement Fund. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 23-674