SB 259 Summary

• Prohibits the bureau of motor vehicles from suspending driving privileges of persons who provide proof of financial responsibility but did not own the vehicle operated at the time of the accident or violation, if they can establish non-ownership, owner's permission, and lack of knowledge about missing financial responsibility.

• Repeals IC 9-30-4-6.1, which previously allowed automatic suspension of driving privileges for convictions including manslaughter, reckless homicide, false applications, criminal recklessness, and hit-and-run offenses.

• Creates new suspension provisions for out-of-state convictions: discretionary suspension for up to one year for most offenses, mandatory one-year suspension for offenses causing serious bodily injury or involving intoxication with prior DUI convictions, and mandatory two-year suspension for offenses causing death.

• Exempts persons arrested or charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated from providing proof of future financial responsibility until they are actually convicted of the offense.

• Requires individuals seeking specialized driving privileges to petition each court that has ordered a suspension separately, and prohibits the bureau from disclosing moving traffic violations that are dismissed, result in acquittal, or are vacated (except for commercial driver's license holders).