2004 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1368 – Manslaughtr/vessel operatn included

SENATE BILL NO. 1368

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Bill Status



S1368................................................by JUDICIARY AND RULES
MANSLAUGHTER - VESSELS - Amends existing law to provide that certain
operation of a vessel resulting in the killing of a human being may
constitute a type of manslaughter; to provide for the punishment for
manslaughter by vessel; and to provide that a peace officer is authorized
to order the withdrawal of a blood sample from a person if there is
probable cause to believe that the person has committed manslaughter by
vehicle or vessel.
                                                                        
02/16    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/17    Rpt prt - to Jud

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-seventh Legislature                 Second Regular Session - 2004
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       IN THE SENATE
                                                                        
                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1368
                                                                        
                              BY JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO MANSLAUGHTER; AMENDING SECTION 18-4006,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO  PROVIDE
  3        THAT  CERTAIN  OPERATION  OF  A VESSEL RESULTING IN THE KILLING OF A HUMAN
  4        BEING MAY CONSTITUTE A TYPE OF  MANSLAUGHTER;  AMENDING  SECTION  18-4007,
  5        IDAHO  CODE,  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  PUNISHMENT FOR MANSLAUGHTER BY VESSEL; AND
  6        AMENDING SECTION 18-8002, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT A PEACE  OFFICER  IS
  7        AUTHORIZED  TO  ORDER  THE  WITHDRAWAL  OF A BLOOD SAMPLE FROM A PERSON IF
  8        THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT A PERSON HAS COMMITTED  MANSLAUGH-
  9        TER BY VEHICLE OR VESSEL.
                                                                        
 10    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 11        SECTION  1.  That  Section 18-4006, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 12    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 13        18-4006.  MANSLAUGHTER DEFINED. Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of  a
 14    human  being  including,  but not limited to, a human embryo or fetus, without
 15    malice. It is of three (3) kinds:
 16        1.  Voluntary -- upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion.
 17        2.  Involuntary -- in the perpetration of or  attempt  to  perpetrate  any
 18    unlawful  act,  other than arson, rape, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, or may-
 19    hem; or in the commission of a lawful act which might  produce  death,  in  an
 20    unlawful  manner,  or without due caution and circumspection; or in the opera-
 21    tion of any firearm or deadly weapon in a reckless, careless or negligent man-
 22    ner which produces death.
 23        3.  Vehicular or by vessel -- in which the operation of a motor vehicle or
 24    vessel is a significant cause contributing to the death because of:
 25        (a)  the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to  a  felony,  with
 26        gross negligence; or
 27        (b)  the  commission  of  a violation of section 18-8004 or 18-8006, Idaho
 28        Code, or section 67-7034 or 67-7035, Idaho Code; or
 29        (c)  the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, without
 30        gross negligence.
 31        Notwithstanding any other provision of law,  any  evidence  of  conviction
 32    under  subsection  3.(b)  shall  be admissible in any civil action for damages
 33    resulting from the occurrence. A conviction for  the  purposes  of  subsection
 34    3.(b) means that the person has pled guilty or has been found guilty, notwith-
 35    standing the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s).
                                                                        
 36        SECTION  2.  That  Section 18-4007, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 37    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 38        18-4007.  PUNISHMENT FOR MANSLAUGHTER. Manslaughter is punishable as  fol-
 39    lows:
 40        1.  Voluntary  --  by  a  fine  of  not more than fifteen thousand dollars
 41    ($15,000), or by a sentence to the custody of the state  board  of  correction
                                                                        
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  1    not exceeding fifteen (15) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
  2        2.  Involuntary  --  by  a  fine  of  not  more  than ten thousand dollars
  3    ($10,000), or by a sentence to the custody of the state  board  of  correction
  4    not exceeding ten (10) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
  5        3.  Vehicular -- in the operation of a motor vehicle -- or by vessel:
  6        (a)  For  a  violation  of section 18-4006 3.(a), Idaho Code, by a fine of
  7        not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by a sentence to the cus-
  8        tody of the state board of correction not exceeding ten (10) years, or  by
  9        both such fine and imprisonment.
 10        (b)  For  a  violation  of section 18-4006 3.(b), Idaho Code, by a fine of
 11        not more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or by a sentence to  the
 12        custody of the state board of correction not exceeding fifteen (15) years,
 13        or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 14        (c)  For  a  violation  of section 18-4006 3.(c), Idaho Code, by a fine of
 15        not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by  a  jail  sentence  not
 16        exceeding one (1) year, or by both such fine and jail sentence.
 17        (d)  In  addition to the foregoing, any person convicted of a violation of
 18        section 18-4006 3., Idaho Code, which resulted in the death of the  parent
 19        or  parents  of  minor children may be ordered by the court to pay support
 20        for each such minor child until the child reaches the age of eighteen (18)
 21        years. Support shall be established in accordance with the  child  support
 22        guidelines  then  in  effect,  and the nonpayment of such support shall be
 23        subject to enforcement and collection by the surviving parent or  guardian
 24        of  the  child  in  the  same  manner  that other child support orders are
 25        enforced as provided by law. In no event shall the child support  judgment
 26        or order imposed by the court under this section be paid or indemnified by
 27        the proceeds of any liability insurance policy.
 28        (e)  In  addition  to the foregoing, the driver's license or privileges to
 29        operate a vessel of any person convicted of a violation of section 18-4006
 30        3., Idaho Code, may be suspended for a time determined by the court.
                                                                        
 31        SECTION 3.  That Section 18-8002, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 32    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 33        18-8002.  TESTS  OF DRIVER FOR ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION, PRESENCE OF DRUGS OR
 34    OTHER INTOXICATING SUBSTANCES -- SUSPENSION UPON REFUSAL  OF  TESTS.  (1)  Any
 35    person  who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle in this
 36    state shall be deemed to have given his consent  to  evidentiary  testing  for
 37    concentration  of  alcohol  as  defined in section 18-8004, Idaho Code, and to
 38    have given his consent to evidentiary testing for the  presence  of  drugs  or
 39    other  intoxicating  substances, provided that such testing is administered at
 40    the request of a peace officer having reasonable grounds to believe that  per-
 41    son  has  been  driving  or  in  actual physical control of a motor vehicle in
 42    violation of the  provisions  of  section  18-8004,  Idaho  Code,  or  section
 43    18-8006, Idaho Code.
 44        (2)  Such  person  shall  not  have  the right to consult with an attorney
 45    before submitting to such evidentiary testing.
 46        (3)  At the time evidentiary testing for concentration of alcohol, or  for
 47    the  presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances is requested, the per-
 48    son shall be informed that if he refuses to submit to or if he fails  to  com-
 49    plete, evidentiary testing:
 50        (a)  His driver's license will be seized by the peace officer and a tempo-
 51        rary permit will be issued; provided, however, that no peace officer shall
 52        issue  a  temporary permit pursuant to this section to a driver whose dri-
 53        ver's license or permit has already been   and  is  suspended  or  revoked
                                                                        
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  1        because  of previous violations, and in no instance shall a temporary per-
  2        mit be issued to a driver of a commercial vehicle who refuses to submit to
  3        or fails to complete an evidentiary test;
  4        (b)  He has the right to request a hearing within seven (7) days  to  show
  5        cause why he refused to submit to, or complete evidentiary testing;
  6        (c)  If  he does not request a hearing or does not prevail at the hearing,
  7        his driver's license will be suspended absolutely for one  hundred  eighty
  8        (180)  days  if  this is his first refusal and one (1) year if this is his
  9        second refusal within five (5) years; and
 10        (d)  After submitting to evidentiary testing he may, when practicable,  at
 11        his  own expense, have additional tests made by a person of his own choos-
 12        ing.
 13        (4)  If the motorist refuses to submit to or complete evidentiary  testing
 14    after the information has been given in accordance with subsection (3) above:
 15        (a)  His  driver's  license or permit shall be seized by the peace officer
 16        and forwarded to the court and a temporary permit shall be issued  by  the
 17        peace  officer  which allows him to operate a motor vehicle until the date
 18        of his hearing, if a hearing is requested, but in no event for  more  than
 19        thirty  (30)  days; provided, however, that no peace officer shall issue a
 20        temporary permit pursuant to this  section  to  a  driver  whose  driver's
 21        license  or permit has already been and is suspended or revoked because of
 22        previous violations and in no instance shall a temporary permit be  issued
 23        to  a  driver of a commercial vehicle who refuses to submit to or fails to
 24        complete an evidentiary test;
 25        (b)  A written request may be made within seven (7) calendar  days  for  a
 26        hearing  before  the  court; if requested, the hearing must be held within
 27        thirty (30) days of the seizure unless this  period  is,  for  good  cause
 28        shown,  extended  by  the  court  for  one  (1) additional thirty (30) day
 29        period. The court, in granting such an  extension,  may,  for  good  cause
 30        shown,  extend  the  defendant's  temporary driving privileges for one (1)
 31        additional thirty (30) day period. The hearing shall  be  limited  to  the
 32        question  of why the defendant did not submit to, or complete, evidentiary
 33        testing, and the burden of proof shall be upon the  defendant;  the  court
 34        shall  suspend  all  his  driving  privileges  immediately for one hundred
 35        eighty (180) days for a first refusal  and  one  (1)  year  for  a  second
 36        refusal  within  five (5) years unless it finds that the peace officer did
 37        not have legal cause to stop and request him to take the test or that  the
 38        request violated his civil rights;
 39        (c)  If  a  hearing  is  not requested by written notice to the court con-
 40        cerned within seven (7) calendar days, upon receipt of a  sworn  statement
 41        by  the peace officer of the circumstances of the refusal, the court shall
 42        suspend his driving privileges for one hundred eighty  (180)  days  for  a
 43        first refusal and one (1) year for a second refusal within five (5) years,
 44        during  which  time  he shall have absolutely no driving privileges of any
 45        kind; and
 46        (d)  After submitting to evidentiary testing at the request of  the  peace
 47        officer,  he  may,  when  practicable, at his own expense, have additional
 48        tests made by a person of his own choosing. The failure  or  inability  to
 49        obtain  an  additional  test  or  tests by a person shall not preclude the
 50        admission of results of evidentiary testing for alcohol  concentration  or
 51        for  the  presence  of drugs or other intoxicating substances taken at the
 52        direction of the peace officer unless the additional test  was  denied  by
 53        the peace officer.
 54        (5)  Any  suspension  of  driving privileges under this section or section
 55    18-8002A, Idaho Code, shall be a civil penalty separate  and  apart  from  any
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1    other suspension imposed for a violation of other Idaho motor vehicle codes or
  2    for  a conviction of an offense  pursuant to this chapter, and may be appealed
  3    to the district court.
  4        (6)  No hospital, hospital officer, agent, or  employee,  or  health  care
  5    professional  licensed  by  the state of Idaho, whether or not such person has
  6    privileges to practice in the  hospital  in  which  a  body  fluid  sample  is
  7    obtained  or  an  evidentiary  test is made, shall incur any civil or criminal
  8    liability for any act arising out of administering  an  evidentiary  test  for
  9    alcohol  concentration or for the presence of drugs or other intoxicating sub-
 10    stances at the request or order of a peace officer in the manner described  in
 11    this  section and section 18-8002A, Idaho Code: provided, that nothing in this
 12    section shall relieve any such person or legal  entity  from  civil  liability
 13    arising from the failure to exercise the community standard of care.
 14        (a)  This  immunity  extends  to  any person who assists any individual to
 15        withdraw a blood sample for evidentiary testing at the request or order of
 16        a peace officer, which individual is authorized to withdraw a blood sample
 17        under the provisions of section 18-8003, Idaho  Code,  regardless  of  the
 18        location where the blood sample is actually withdrawn.
 19        (b)  A  peace  officer  is  empowered to order an individual authorized in
 20        section 18-8003, Idaho Code, to withdraw a blood  sample  for  evidentiary
 21        testing when the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the sus-
 22        pect has committed any of the following offenses:
 23             (i)   Aggravated  driving  under  the  influence of alcohol, drugs or
 24             other intoxicating substance as provided in  section  18-8006,  Idaho
 25             Code;
 26             (ii)  Vehicular  mManslaughter as provided in subsections (3)(a), (b)
 27             and (c) of section 18-4006, Idaho Code;
 28             (iii) Aggravated operating of a vessel on the  waters  of  the  state
 29             while  under  the  influence  of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating
 30             substances as provided in section 67-7035, Idaho Code; or
 31             (iv)  Any criminal homicide involving a vessel on the waters  of  the
 32             state while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicat-
 33             ing substances.
 34        (c)  Nothing herein shall limit the discretion of the hospital administra-
 35        tion  to designate the qualified hospital employee responsible to withdraw
 36        the blood sample.
 37        (d)  The law enforcement agency that requests or orders withdrawal of  the
 38        blood sample shall pay the reasonable costs to withdraw such blood sample,
 39        perform  laboratory  analysis, preserve evidentiary test results, and tes-
 40        tify in judicial proceedings.
 41        (e)  The withdrawal of the blood sample may be delayed or terminated if:
 42             (i)   In the reasonable judgment of the hospital personnel withdrawal
 43             of the blood sample may result in serious bodily injury  to  hospital
 44             personnel or other patients; or
 45             (ii)  The  licensed  health  care  professional  treating the suspect
 46             believes the  withdrawal  of  the  blood  sample  is  contraindicated
 47             because of the medical condition of the suspect or other patients.
 48        (7)  "Actual  physical  control"  as  used  in  this  section  and section
 49    18-8002A, Idaho Code, shall be defined as being in the  driver's  position  of
 50    the motor vehicle with the motor running or with the motor vehicle moving.
 51        (8)  Any  written  notice required by this section shall be effective upon
 52    mailing.
 53        (9)  For the purposes of this section and section  18-8002A,  Idaho  Code,
 54    "evidentiary  testing"  shall mean a procedure or test or series of procedures
 55    or tests, including the additional test authorized in subsection (10) of  this
                                                                        
                                           5
                                                                        
  1    section, utilized to determine the concentration of alcohol or the presence of
  2    drugs or other intoxicating substances in a person.
  3        (10)  A  person who submits to a breath test for alcohol concentration, as
  4    defined in subsection  (4)  of  section  18-8004,  Idaho  Code,  may  also  be
  5    requested  to  submit  to  a second evidentiary test of blood or urine for the
  6    purpose of determining the presence of drugs or other intoxicating  substances
  7    if the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that a person was driving
  8    under  the  influence  of  any  drug or intoxicating substance or the combined
  9    influence of alcohol and any drug or intoxicating substance. The peace officer
 10    shall state in his or her report the facts upon which that belief is based.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                        STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                              RS 13795

This statement of purpose is to include within the definition of
vehicular manslaughter the operation of a vessel, namely a boat, in an
unlawful fashion.




                           FISCAL IMPACT

No fiscal impact as required by joint rules.





Contact
Name:    Senator Bart M. Davis
Phone:   (208)   332-1305


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                       S 1368