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Committee advances bill to screen misdemeanor DUI offenders for substance-use disorder
Summary
The Criminal Justice Committee on April 29 advanced Senate Bill 118 to require substance-use disorder screening for misdemeanor DUI offenders, a measure sponsors say will identify treatment needs earlier and help reduce repeat impaired driving.
The Criminal Justice Committee reported Senate Bill 118 favorably on April 29 after proponents said the measure would expand early screening and treatment opportunities for people arrested for misdemeanor driving under the influence.
Sen. Boudreaux, the bill uthor, told the committee that current law requires screening only for third and higher DWI offenses. "By requiring screening for offenders early in their DUI careers, judges could craft sentences that address the underlying causes of impaired driving, ultimately reducing recidivism," he said.
Lisa Freeman, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said the proposal builds on a 2022 Acadiana pilot that screened misdemeanor offenders after conviction but before sentencing. She told the committee the pilot found more than half of those screened met criteria for one or more disorders and called SB 118 "good law" and "common sense," arguing earlier identification allows referral to treatment.
Committee members asked about cost and screening tools. Sen. Boudreaux answered that two validated screening tools are available free and that the bill comes with the Highway Safety Commission nd governor's impaired-driving task force support. Representative Knox, speaking from the committee, moved the bill favorably; the chair recorded no objections and SB 118 was reported favorably.
The committee recorded no formal roll-call vote in the hearing minutes; the outcome was a favorable committee report with no objections. The bill will proceed according to the legislature—alendar.
