FL S1396

Establishes a Driving Under the Influence Diversion Pilot Program in each of Florida's judicial circuits, developed and operated by the state attorney, to allow first-time DUI offenders to avoid conviction while receiving substance abuse treatment if needed

Eligibility requires no prior alcohol/drug-related traffic offenses, no pending or prior felony convictions, no more than two prior misdemeanor convictions, no crash involvement, no minor passengers, blood-alcohol level below 0.20, and no previous program participation

Program participants must complete 12 months without alcohol or controlled substance use, perform 50-75 hours of community service (based on BAC level), complete a substance abuse course, and attend a victim impact panel

Requires 10-day vehicle impoundment/immobilization followed by 90-180 days of ignition interlock device use, with fee discounts of 25-50% available for low-income participants at or below 149% of federal poverty level

Successful completion results in a plea agreement for reckless driving with adjudication withheld; state attorneys must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature by October 1, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must establish a statewide participant database by July 1, 2023