SB 327

This bill modifies rules relating to driver safety plans to require an evaluation

of medication-assisted treatment as an option for some drivers.

Under current law, courts must order a person convicted of operating a motor

vehicle while intoxicated to submit to an assessment of the person's use of alcohol or

controlled substances or their analogs. The assessment facility must develop a driver

safety plan for the person, which may include substance abuse treatment. If a person

fails to comply with the requirements of his or her driver safety plan, the Department

of Transportation must revoke his or her operating privilege.

The Department of Health Services establishes standards for assessment

procedures and driver safety plans by administrative rule. Current DHS rules

provide that, if an assessment makes a finding of dependency, suspected dependency,

or dependency in remission for a person, the driver safety plan for that person must

recommend substance abuse treatment. The bill provides that, if substance abuse

treatment is recommended for a person, the treatment must include an evaluation

for the appropriateness of medication-assisted treatment for the person.