Apr. 06, 2021
HARRISBURG—Legislation sponsored by Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) to improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars by targeting repeat DUI offenders has passed the House.
“Several counties in Pennsylvania have implemented a successful program using alcohol monitoring devices as a condition of bail for repeat offenders,” Stephens said. “I believe we should expand the use of these devices to stop repeat offenders.”
House Bill 521 would authorize courts to require an alcohol monitoring device as a condition of bail, probation or parole for repeat offenders.
A repeat DUI offender is an individual who is pending adjudication for a DUI and has one or more prior DUI convictions within the past 10 years; or is pending adjudication for two or more DUIs.
A substance monitoring program prohibits the individual from using alcohol, controlled substances or both while also being required to use or participate in any of the following for no less than 90 days as a condition of bail:
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A continuous alcohol monitoring device.
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A remote breath testing device or any other alcohol monitoring technology or device.
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Random drug testing or another controlled substance monitoring device.
Data shows recidivism rates for repeat DUI offenders who wore a device for at least 90 days are 50% less than those who were alternatively sentenced. In York County, the program has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of DUI offenders arrested for another DUI within the first year, in DUI victims served by the district attorney’s office and in the number of alcohol-related crashes.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Todd Stephens
151st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
RepToddStephens.com/
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