A newly introduced bill aims to rely on an individual’s family or law enforcement to get ahead of known cases of driving under the influence.

HB 1426, sponsored by Rep. Lauren Davis (D–Shoreline), proposes to create a new civil protection order aimed at preventing impaired driving.

It creates a new protection order called “impaired driving protection order” to allow family members, intimate partners, law enforcement, and more to petition district and superior courts to impose restrictions if the identified individual poses a significant danger of causing injury while driving under the influence. The court could impose restrictions such as requiring an ignition interlock device, requiring participation in treatment or recovery programs, or ordering them to stay away from bars.

Specifically, the petitioner must be able to demonstrate to the court and provide credible testimony regarding a respondent's history of driving under the influence and that the person has a good faith belief that the court's intervention is necessary.

The bill establishes information requirements for petitions, including cataloging the individual’s history of impaired driving. It also clarifies the jurisdictions of district and superior courts over the proceedings and requires standardized forms and materials to assist petitioners.

This novel idea takes a civil approach to address a criminal problem before the dire consequences of impaired driving. There are still questions about feasibility, but we will monitor this bill and seek any feedback cities have on the proposal.

Dates to remember

HB 1426 is scheduled for public hearing on January 28 in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee at 10:30 am.