By Giddings H.B. No. 3757 Line and page numbers may not match official copy. Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to approved drug and alcohol driving awareness programs. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Article 4413(29c), Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, 1-5 is amended by adding Section 4A to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 4A. APPROVED DRUG AND ALCOHOL DRIVING AWARENESS PROGRAM 1-7 (a) DEFINITIONS. In this Act: 1-8 (1) "Approved drug and alcohol awareness program" 1-9 means an educational program for persons eligible to receive a 1-10 mandatory discount on personal automobile coverage by completing a 1-11 drug and alcohol driving awareness program which has been certified 1-12 by the Texas Education Agency pursuant to this chapter. 1-13 (2) "Commission" means the Texas Education Agency; 1-14 which shall develop the approved course, adopt rules for the 1-15 qualification and certification of providers of the drug and 1-16 alcohol driving awareness programs, process all applications for 1-17 program certification/recertification, and monitor and coordinate 1-18 the educational programs. 1-19 (3) "Department" means the Texas Department of 1-20 Insurance; through which the State Board of Insurance adopted the 1-21 establishment of a mandatory discount on personal automobile 2-1 coverage for each eligible person completing a drug and alcohol 2-2 driving awareness program certified by the commission. 2-3 (4) "Discount" means a 5.0% discount on personal auto 2-4 coverage for successful completion of drug and alcohol driving 2-5 awareness program certified by the commission. 2-6 (5) "Driver Training" means driver education provided 2-7 by a driver education school and driving safety training provided 2-8 by a driving safety school. 2-9 (6) "Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program" means 2-10 a course of instruction intended to improve a driver's knowledge, 2-11 perceptions, and attitudes about driving; with particular emphasis 2-12 on curricula designed to prevent or deter misuse and abuse of 2-13 controlled substances and to evaluate procedures, projects, 2-14 techniques, and controls conducted as part of the educational 2-15 programs. 2-16 (7) "Reporting period" means that period of time 2-17 beginning with the date the program was certified/recertified by 2-18 the commission and ending August 31 of each year. 2-19 (8) "School" means a driver education school or 2-20 driving safety school. 2-21 (9) "Self-assessment" means a tool used by program 2-22 participants to evaluate one's own risk for developing problems 2-23 with alcohol. 2-24 (b) The commission shall develop school certification and 2-25 educational curriculum for driver training and driving safety 3-1 courses. 3-2 (c) The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse shall 3-3 enter into a memorandum of understanding, with the commission for 3-4 the interagency development of curricula, in accordance with the 3-5 Texas Health and Safety Code, 461.013(b). 3-6 (d) The department shall require insurance companies, 3-7 providing motor vehicle liability insurance, to offer a 5.0% 3-8 discount on personal auto coverage, upon completion of the approved 3-9 drug and alcohol driving awareness program. 3-10 (e) Drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated, or 3-11 convicted of being a minor found guilty of the possession, 3-12 consumption or purchase of alcoholic beverages, within the last 3-13 seven years from the date of anticipated program enrollment are not 3-14 eligible for the discount. Drivers convicted of driving while 3-15 intoxicated, or of being a minor found guilty of the possession, 3-16 consumption or purchase of alcoholic beverages, after taking the 3-17 course will not be eligible for the discount for seven years from 3-18 the date of conviction. 3-19 (f) The intent of the commission by adoption of this chapter 3-20 is to promulgate written rules, regulations, and standards 3-21 reflecting minimum standards for the uniform operation of certified 3-22 programs designed to educated persons on the dangers of 3-23 alcohol/drugs and driving in order to receive a 5.0% discount on 3-24 personal auto coverage. By adoption of this chapter, a certified 3-25 drug and alcohol driving awareness program must utilize a uniform 4-1 curriculum developed by the commission. 4-2 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 4-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 4-4 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 4-5 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 4-6 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 4-7 and that this Act takes effect and be in force from and after its 4-8 passage, and it is so enacted.