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MIPs result in suspended license under new bill
New legislation would require those convicted to attend court-ordered alcohol treatment and suspend their drivers licenses
by Jason N. Reed | News Reporter |
The task force was developed after Gov. Kulongoski requested Attorney General Myers review underage drinking laws in Oregon and suggest more ways to improve enforcement and adjudication of those provisions.
Nine bills originated out of the task force were introduced into the legislature during 2007; some have died, some are static and a few have moved through Congress and will become law when they are signed by Kulongoski.
House Bill 2147, one of the bills that has been signed into law, was unlike the others - it offered help instead of punishment. The report found that people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become abusers of alcohol than those who began drinking at age 21.
The bill mandates that if a person with an MIP charge is found guilty, then he or she will be referred to an assessment process to determine if an alcohol abuse problem exists and counseling help is needed. If the person is charged with an MIP and chooses to accept a deferment option to avoid the adjudication process, then the same assessment and counseling system will take place.
"We're hopeful that (the passed bills) will help in terms of preventing underage drinking and will make for a consistent enforcement of the statuary provisions that prohibit underage drinking," Philip Schradle, special counsel to the Oregon Attorney General said. "This is a serious issue that reaches way beyond legislative issues and needs to be adduced in a coordinated matter by parents, schools and law enforcement."
Contact the city, state politics reporter at jreed@dailyemerald.com
Nine bills originated out of the task force were introduced into the legislature during 2007; some have died, some are static and a few have moved through Congress and will become law when they are signed by Kulongoski.
House Bill 2147, one of the bills that has been signed into law, was unlike the others - it offered help instead of punishment. The report found that people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become abusers of alcohol than those who began drinking at age 21.
The bill mandates that if a person with an MIP charge is found guilty, then he or she will be referred to an assessment process to determine if an alcohol abuse problem exists and counseling help is needed. If the person is charged with an MIP and chooses to accept a deferment option to avoid the adjudication process, then the same assessment and counseling system will take place.
"We're hopeful that (the passed bills) will help in terms of preventing underage drinking and will make for a consistent enforcement of the statuary provisions that prohibit underage drinking," Philip Schradle, special counsel to the Oregon Attorney General said. "This is a serious issue that reaches way beyond legislative issues and needs to be adduced in a coordinated matter by parents, schools and law enforcement."
Contact the city, state politics reporter at jreed@dailyemerald.com
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