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An Act To Improve the Driver Education and Evaluation Programs
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §20072,  as amended by PL 1999, c. 448, §4, is further amended to read:
§ 20072. Driver Education and Evaluation Programs
The Driver Education and Evaluation Programs are established in the office. The Driver Education and Evaluation Programs shall administer the alcohol and other drug education, evaluation and treatment programs as provided in this chapter. The office shall certify to the Secretary of State:those individuals who have satisfactorily completed a program pursuant to section 20073-B.
 
1.  Completion of Driver Education and Evaluation Programs.     Those individuals who have satisfactorily completed a program pursuant to section 20073-B; and
 
2.  Completion of treatment other than Driver Education and Evaluation Programs.     Those individuals who have satisfied the requirement for completion of treatment as defined in section 20071 by means other than a program pursuant to section 20073-B.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §20078-A, sub-§6, ¶A,  as enacted by PL 1993, c. 631, §7, is repealed.
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §2502, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2001, c. 511, §7, is further amended to read:
 
1. Issuance of special license.   Following the expiration of the total period of suspension imposed on a first-time offender pursuant to Title 15, section 3314 or sections 2411, 2453, 2472 and 2521, the Secretary of State shall issue a special license or permit to the person if the Secretary of State receives written notice that the person has completed the assessment components of the alcohol and other drug program pursuant to Title 5, section 20073-B. First offenders who have registered for the completion of treatment programs as described in Title 5, section 20072, subsection 2 are entitled to receive a special license after completion of 3 treatment sessions provided by a counselor or agency approved by the Office of Substance Abuse. A special license or permit may not be issued under this section to 2nd and subsequent offenders.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the laws regarding the Driver Education and Evaluation Programs. It discontinues the completion of treatment other than Driver Education and Evaluation Programs requirement. Individuals who lose their licenses for operating under the influence of alcohol and other drugs will be required to attend the educational component of the Driver Education and Evaluation Programs, if evidence of a substance abuse problem exists, and treatment, if indicated by the evaluation.