Bill Text: VA HB1407 | 2011 | Regular Session | Chaptered

---

Bill Title: Underage drinking and driving; punishable as Class 1 misdemeanor.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-03-26 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0683) [HB1407 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2011-HB1407-Chaptered.html

---

CHAPTER 683 An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-266.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to penalties for underage drinking and driving. [H 1407] Approved March 26, 2011

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-266.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-266.1. Persons under age 21 driving after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to operate any motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. Any such person with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or more by weight by volume or 0.02 grams or more per 210 liters of breath but less than 0.08 by weight by volume or less than 0.08 grams per 210 liters of breath as indicated by a chemical test administered as provided in this article shall be in violation of this section.

B. A violation of this section shall be punishable by is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Punishment shall include (i) forfeiture of such person's license to operate a motor vehicle for a period of six months one year from the date of conviction and by (ii) a mandatory minimum fine of not more than $500 or performance of a mandatory minimum of 50 hours of community service. This suspension period shall be in addition to the suspension period provided under § 46.2-391.2. The penalties and license forfeiture provisions set forth in §§ 16.1-278.9, 18.2-270 and 18.2-271 shall not apply to a violation of this section. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be eligible to attend an Alcohol Safety Action Program under the provisions of § 18.2-271.1 and may, in the discretion of the court, be issued a restricted license during the term of license suspension.

C. Notwithstanding §§ 16.1-278.8 and 16.1-278.9, upon adjudicating a juvenile delinquent based upon a violation of this section, the juvenile and domestic relations district court shall order disposition as provided in subsection B.