85R11353 LHC-D
 
  By: White H.B. No. 4227
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study on the automatic suspension of driver's
  licenses on conviction of a drug offense not related to the
  operation of a motor vehicle and alternatives to automatic
  suspension.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a) The Department of Public Safety shall
  conduct a study on the automatic suspension of the driver's license
  of an individual who has been convicted of a drug offense not
  related to the operation of a motor vehicle. The study shall:
               (1)  examine the feasibility of and benefits and
  consequences to this state of repealing the law providing for the
  automatic suspension of the driver's license of an individual who
  has been convicted of a drug offense not related to the operation of
  a motor vehicle; and
               (2)  recommend new graduated sanctions related to the
  suspension of a driver's license on conviction of a drug offense not
  related to the operation of a motor vehicle that provide for
  punishment in proportion to the:
                     (A)  severity of the offense;
                     (B)  potential risk of harm to the public at the
  time of the offense; and
                     (C)  likelihood that the individual would commit
  another drug offense in the future.
         (b)  In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this
  section, the Department of Public Safety shall consult with:
               (1)  the Texas Department of Transportation;
               (2)  a victim who was injured or the family member of a
  victim who was killed due to a person who was under the influence of
  drugs;
               (3)  a drug abuse treatment specialist;
               (4)  a criminal district attorney;
               (5)  a criminal district judge;
               (6)  a law enforcement officer;
               (7)  a department director of a community supervision
  and corrections department; and
               (8)  a criminal defense attorney.
         (c)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the Department of
  Public Safety shall submit a report containing the results of the
  study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section, including any
  legislative recommendations, to the governor, the lieutenant
  governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
  appropriate standing committees of the senate and the house of
  representatives.
         SECTION 2.  This Act expires December 1, 2019.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.