Washington Ignition Interlock Law- RCW 46.20.720

RCW 46.20.720
Drivers convicted of alcohol offenses. (Effective until January 1, 2009.)

(1) The court may order that after a period of suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, and for up to as long as the court has jurisdiction, any person convicted of any offense involving the use, consumption, or possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle may drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock. The court shall establish a specific calibration setting at which the interlock will prevent the vehicle from being started. The court shall also establish the period of time for which interlock use will be required.

(2) The department shall require that, after any applicable period of suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, a person may drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device if the person is convicted of an alcohol-related violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance.

The department may waive the requirement for the use of such a device if it concludes that such devices are not reasonably available in the local area. The device is not necessary on vehicles owned by a person's employer and driven as a requirement of employment during working hours.

The ignition interlock device shall be calibrated to prevent the motor vehicle from being started when the breath sample provided has an alcohol concentration of 0.025 or more. The period of time of the restriction will be as follows:

(a) For a person who has not previously been restricted under this section, a period of one year;

(b) For a person who has previously been restricted under (a) of this subsection, a period of five years;

(c) For a person who has previously been restricted under (b) of this subsection, a period of ten years.

[2004 c 95 § 11; 2003 c 366 § 1; 2001 c 247 § 1; 1999 c 331 § 3; 1998 c 210 § 2; 1997 c 229 § 8; 1994 c 275 § 22; 1987 c 247 § 2.]

Notes:
Effective date -- 1999 c 331: See note following RCW 9.94A.525.

Short title -- 1998 c 210: "This act may be known and cited as the Mary Johnsen Act." [1998 c 210 § 1.]

Finding -- Intent -- 1998 c 210: "The legislature finds that driving is a privilege and that the state may restrict that privilege in the interests of public safety. One such reasonable restriction is requiring certain individuals, if they choose to drive, to drive only vehicles equipped with ignition interlock devices. The legislature further finds that the costs of these devices are minimal and are affordable. It is the intent of the legislature that these devices be paid for by the drivers using them and that neither the state nor entities of local government provide any public funding for this purpose." [1998 c 210 § 7.]

Effective date -- 1998 c 210: "This act takes effect January 1, 1999." [1998 c 210 § 9.]

Effective date -- 1997 c 229: See note following RCW 10.05.090.

Short title -- Effective date -- 1994 c 275: See notes following RCW 46.04.015.

RCW 46.20.720
Drivers convicted of alcohol offenses. (Effective January 1, 2009.)

(1) The court may order that after a period of suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, and for up to as long as the court has jurisdiction, any person convicted of any offense involving the use, consumption, or possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle may drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock. The court shall establish a specific calibration setting at which the interlock will prevent the vehicle from being started. The court shall also establish the period of time for which interlock use will be required.

(2) Under RCW 46.61.5055, 10.05.020, or *section 18 of this act, the court shall order any person convicted of an alcohol-related violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance or participating in a deferred prosecution program under RCW 10.05.020 or *section 18 of this act for an alcohol-related violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance to apply for an ignition interlock driver's license from the department under RCW 46.20.385 and to have a functioning ignition interlock device installed on all motor vehicles operated by the person.

(3) The department shall require that, after any applicable period of suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, a person may drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device if the person is convicted of an alcohol-related violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance.

The department may waive the requirement for the use of such a device if it concludes that such devices are not reasonably available in the local area. The device is not necessary on vehicles owned by a person's employer and driven as a requirement of employment during working hours. The person must provide the department with a declaration pursuant to RCW 9A.72.085 from his or her employer stating that the person's employment requires the person to operate a vehicle owned by the employer during working hours.

The ignition interlock device shall be calibrated to prevent the motor vehicle from being started when the breath sample provided has an alcohol concentration of 0.025 or more. The period of time of the restriction will be as follows:

(a) For a person who has not previously been restricted under this section, a period of one year;

(b) For a person who has previously been restricted under (a) of this subsection, a period of five years;

(c) For a person who has previously been restricted under (b) of this subsection, a period of ten years.

[2008 c 282 § 12; 2004 c 95 § 11; 2003 c 366 § 1; 2001 c 247 § 1; 1999 c 331 § 3; 1998 c 210 § 2; 1997 c 229 § 8; 1994 c 275 § 22; 1987 c 247 § 2.]

Notes:
*Reviser's note: Section 18 of this act was vetoed by the governor.

Effective date -- 2008 c 282: See note following RCW 46.20.308.

Effective date -- 1999 c 331: See note following RCW 9.94A.525.

Short title -- 1998 c 210: "This act may be known and cited as the Mary Johnsen Act." [1998 c 210 § 1.]

Finding -- Intent -- 1998 c 210: "The legislature finds that driving is a privilege and that the state may restrict that privilege in the interests of public safety. One such reasonable restriction is requiring certain individuals, if they choose to drive, to drive only vehicles equipped with ignition interlock devices. The legislature further finds that the costs of these devices are minimal and are affordable. It is the intent of the legislature that these devices be paid for by the drivers using them and that neither the state nor entities of local government provide any public funding for this purpose." [1998 c 210 § 7.]

Effective date -- 1998 c 210: "This act takes effect January 1, 1999." [1998 c 210 § 9.]

Effective date -- 1997 c 229: See note following RCW 10.05.090.

Short title -- Effective date -- 1994 c 275: See notes following RCW 46.04.015.