Second Regular Session Sixty-fourth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO INTRODUCED LLS NO. 04-0243.01 Jery Payne HOUSE BILL 04-1036 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Williams S., Briggs, Larson, and Merrifield SENATE SPONSORSHIP Arnold, House Committees Senate Committees State, Veterans, & Military Affairs A BILL FOR AN ACT Concerning a prohibition against minor drivers carrying minor passengers. Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted.) Transportation Legislation Review Committee. Prohibits a minor from driving with minor passengers until the driver has held a driver's license for 6 months. Exempts drivers from the prohibition if one passenger is at least 21, if the minors are members of the driver's immediate family, or if the driver is driving on account of an emergency or for employment. Punishes violations with a $15 to $100 fine and 2 license suspension points. Defines relevant terms. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. Part 1 of article 4 of title 42, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read: 42-4-116. Restrictions for minor drivers - definitions. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a minor driver shall not operate a motor vehicle containing a minor passenger upon the highways until such driver has held a driver's license for at least six months. (2) This section shall not apply if: (a) The motor vehicle contains an adult at least twenty-one years of age who has held a driver's license for at least one year; (b) All the minor passengers are members of the driver's immediate family; or (c) The minor is driving on account of an emergency or for employment. (3) A violation of this section is a class B traffic infraction and shall be punished according to sections 42-4-1701 (3) (a) (I) and 42-2-127. (4) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Minor driver" means a person who is operating a motor vehicle and who is less than eighteen years of age. (b) "Minor passenger" means a person who is riding in, but not operating, a motor vehicle and who is less than eighteen years of age. SECTION 2. 42-2-127 (5), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PARAGRAPH to read: 42-2-127. Authority to suspend license - to deny license - type of conviction - points. (5) Point system schedule: Type of conviction Points (jj) Driving with a minor passenger in violation of section 42-4-116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 SECTION 3. Effective date - applicability. This act shall take effect July 1, 2004, and shall apply to offenses committed on or after said date. SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.