California State Senator Jerry Hill has introduced Senate Bill 61 which seeks to add an additional penalty for a conviction of a First Offense DUI . The penalty is the requirement that convicted first offenders install a breathalyzer device in their vehicle(s).

Currently in California, four counties already have this requirement as part of a pilot program that was established in 2010, requiring 1st offenders convicted in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare county to install the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in their vehicle(s).  The current proposed legislation would extend this requirement to all California counties. The pilot program is due to expire in 2016.

According to DUI Attorney Sacramento Michael Rehm, many of those convicted of a 1st offense dread the requirement of the IID, until they realize it actually provides greater freedom in regards to a restricted drivers license. Currently, after a conviction for a first offense DUI, the individuals driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days and restricted for 5-8 months.  The restriction without the IID allows for driving to/from and during work, and the DUI classes. The restriction with the breathalyzer is unlimited. The driver can drive anywhere they would like, as long as the they have the IID installed in their vehicle.  So in reality, the individual convicted of the first offense can benefit by having the breathalyzer installed in their vehicle.

More information on Senate Bill 61 can be found here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/sen/sb_0051-0100/sb_61_cfa_20150323_154651_sen_comm.html