HB 1612 Mississippi House · 2025 Regular Session

DUI provisions; bring forward all.

This bill (HB 1612) is a technical reorganization of existing Mississippi DUI laws. It moves numerous sections of the current DUI statute (including implied consent rules, license suspension penalties, and victim impact panels) to new, consecutive section numbers for clarity in the Mississippi Code. The bill does not change any legal requirements, penalties, or procedures - only renumbers the existing provisions. It directly affects how DUI laws are cited in the code but does not alter the rights or obligations of drivers.

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Last action Feb 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Mississippi's implied consent laws and DUI penalties, primarily by clarifying definitions, adjusting suspension periods for repeat offenders, and establishing a fund to help indigent offenders pay for ignition interlock devices and drug testing. The changes aim to strengthen enforcement while providing financial assistance to those who cannot afford compliance costs.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of DUI enforcement to include medical cannabis impairment and clarifies that out-of-state convictions count toward enhanced penalties within five years.

DEFINITION

Added clear definitions for 'driving privilege,' 'community service,' 'chemical test,' 'refusal,' 'alcohol concentration,' 'qualified person to withdraw blood,' 'victim impact panel,' 'booked,' and 'ignition-interlock device' to ensure consistent application of the law.

REQUIREMENT

Increased suspension periods for repeat DUI offenders, with third offenses now requiring an interlock-restricted license for three years and fourth offenses requiring it for ten years.

Extended the scope of DUI laws to include impairment from medical cannabis that affects driving ability.

FISCAL

Created the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory Implied Consent Law Fund to cover equipment and operational costs for DUI enforcement, and expanded the Interlock Device Fund to assist indigent offenders with device installation and drug testing.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions for expunction and nonadjudication of first-time DUI offenders under specific conditions, including limits on alcohol concentration and no refusal of testing.

ENFORCEMENT

Established requirements for a confidential registry to track nonadjudications and expunctions, preventing repeat offenders from receiving leniency multiple times.

Added stricter penalties for child endangerment when driving under the influence, including felony charges for serious injury or death to a child.

TIMELINE

Updated the Interlock Device Fund provisions to include court-ordered drug testing costs, effective July 1, 2020.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

lower

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Judiciary B

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors