HI HB2589

Designated as "Sara's Law" in honor of Koali-Denning Ring, this bill expands negligent homicide in the first degree to include causing death while operating a vehicle without a valid license under section 286-102.

Driving without a valid license resulting in death constitutes a class B felony, escalating to a class A felony if the driver has two or more prior convictions for driving without a valid license within five years.

Prior convictions for driving without a valid license count toward penalty enhancement only if not expunged by pardon, reversed, or set aside before the instant offense.

Courts retain authority to impose lesser sentences for class A felony convictions if strong mitigating circumstances exist, with written justification required.

Effective date set for July 1, 3000, and does not affect rights, duties, penalties, or proceedings that began before enactment.