Friday, March 7, 2014

Transdermal monitoring bill passes

A bill that specifically authorizes the use or transdermal monitoring for parole, probation and pre-trial diversion has passed both Houses of the General Assembly and has been sent to the Governor. The effective date is July 1, 2014.
Transdermal monoitoring is an effective means of determining whether a person consumes alcohol. It currently is available as a monitoring tool for persons on bond. They are used quite a bit in some jurisdictions. They are used for multiple DUI offenders as well as those accused of domestic violence when alcohol is involved.

The bill SB 1962 is summarized on the General Assembly website:

This bill authorizes the use of transdermal monitoring device or other alternative monitoring device as a term or condition of pretrial diversion, parole, probation or DUI probation if, in the opinion of the district attorney general, parole board, or court, as appropriate, the defendant's use of alcohol or drugs was a contributing factor in the defendant's unlawful conduct. This bill will apply to individuals entering for one of the above programs on or after July 1, 2014.

This bill defines "transdermal monitoring device" as any device or instrument that is attached to the person, designed to automatically test the alcohol or drug content in a person by contact with the person's skin at least once per one-half hour regardless of the person's location, and which detects the presence of alcohol or drugs and tampering, obstructing, or removing the device. 


No comments:

Post a Comment