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Subcommittee clears bill to let judges offer driver‑improvement clinic instead of conviction for a first texting‑while‑driving offense
Summary
Sen. Sudiline's SB 686 would clarify that, for a first texting‑while‑driving violation, courts may order satisfactory completion of a driver‑improvement clinic in lieu of a conviction. The subcommittee voted to report the bill to the full transportation committee.
Senator Sudiline introduced Senate Bill 686, saying the bill clarifies the Commonwealth's texting‑while‑driving law so that courts may order satisfactory completion of a driver‑improvement clinic in lieu of a conviction for a first offense. He said inconsistent application in some western courts and among substitute judges prompted the change: "the court may order satisfactory completion of driver improvement clinic ... in lieu of a conviction only for a first violation of this section."
Chairman Reid and members asked whether the bill simply codifies judges' existing option; Sudiline confirmed it applies only to the first offense and reflects how the provision is "widely applied in most places in the Commonwealth." No members of the public testified for or against the bill during the subcommittee hearing.
A motion to report SB 686 to the full transportation committee was made and the clerk opened the roll. The chair announced the bill passed the subcommittee (chair announced a tally of 6–0; the record also notes five members present earlier in the hearing). The bill will be scheduled for the full transportation committee; the patron was told he need not attend.
