Parents who want to keep a closer eye on their teenage and college-age children could buy, install and use a Breathalyzer locking device on their car to keep drunken kids from driving under a bill introduced in the state Senate last week.
Currently, Michigan drivers can have an interlock device installed on their vehicle voluntarily and then blow into a breathalyzer that is connected to the ignition. If a person shows a blood alcohol level of more than 0.025%, the car can't be started. But the company that provides the device is required to let the Secretary of State know every time the device is used.
The bill introduced by Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, would allow the interlock ignition manufacturers to make, market and sell Breathalyzers to use in vehicles without a report being generated and sent to the SOS.
“Parents of teenagers and college students have a lot to worry about when they let their children use the family car,” Jones said. “Parents should be able to use current technology to stop their children from making a life-changing mistake, without information about that prevented mistake being reported to the state.”
Judges often rule that drunk drivers must have the device installed on their cars. Michigan's drunk driving laws provide that a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more is legally drunk, but with a court-ordered ignition interlock device, the car won't start if the blood alcohol content is at least 0.025%.
The Jones bill, which allows parents to be the judges of their family cars, could be costly. Amazon advertises an interlock device for sale at $799.
Other bills introduced last week:
HB 5680: Exclude the placement of solar panels on residential property from property tax assessments of true cash value. Sponsor: Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Potterville.
HB 5681-5685: Create an earmark for the training of firefighters from the fireworks safety fund. Sponsors: Reps. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township, Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond, Tom Cochran, D-Mason, Henry Yanez, D-Sterling Heights.
HB 5686-5687: Prohibit the issuance of driver’s licenses or state identification cards to a person who is not a citizen of the United States for a term that exceeds his or her legal presence in the country. Sponsors: Reps. Pamela Hornberger, R-Chesterfield Township, Beth Griffin, R-Paw Paw.
HB 5688-5689: Modify the conflict-of-interest provisions for public school teacher performance evaluators and prohibit limits on the number of teachers in a district who are rated highly effective. Sponsors: Reps. Steven Johnson, R-Wayland, Scott VanSingel, R-Grant.
HB 5690-5691 and SB 899-900: Prohibit prescription drug manufacturers from charging excessive prices, require manufacturers to provide notice of drug price increases and require attorney general to investigate violations. Sponsor: Reps. Darrin Camilleri, D-Brownstown Township, LaTanya Garrett, D-Detroit and Sens. Jim Ananich, D-Flint.
HB 5692-5693: Eliminate tariffs placed on customers who generate some of their own electricity — also called net metering customers — by public utilities. Sponsor: Rep. Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor.
HB 5694: Create a safety and security program for pre-school through graduate school. Sponsor: Rep. Robert Kosowski, D-Westland.
HB 5695: Create the veterans home medical providers' loan repayment program. Sponsor: Rep. Ronnie Peterson, D-Ypsilanti.
HB 5695: Prohibit operating a vehicle while wearing headphones or earbuds. Sponsor: Rep. Steve Marino.
HB 5697: Extend the sunset date to issue job training revenue bonds for community college. Sponsor: Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township.
HB 5698: Require employers to post proof of worker’s compensation insurance at place of employment. Sponsor: Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet.
HB 5699: Prohibit increase of collision and comprehensive coverage in no fault auto insurance. Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Green, D-Warren.
HB 5700: Establish the right to a jury trial for civil actions against the state. Sponsor: Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Williams Township.
HB 5701 and SB 897: Require recipients of Medicaid coverage to work. Sponsors: Rep. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake Township and Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake.
HB 5702-5704: Require prosecutorial review and prohibit local ordinances on civil asset forfeiture in drug cases, and require law enforcement training in the civil asset forfeiture process. Sponsors: Reps. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, Gary Glenn, R-Williams Township, Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain.
HB 5705: Revise the calculations for vehicle registration fees. Sponsor: Rep. Martin Howrylak, R-Troy.
HB 5706: Modify the calculations used to distribute state transportation funding. Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond.
HB 5707: Modify the performance evaluation system for public school teachers and administrators. Sponsor: Rep. Aaron Miller, R-Sturgis.
Senate bills
SB 886: Modify the criteria for driver education instructor preparation programs. Sponsor: Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba.
SB 887: Modify the definition of exemptions for taxable use of use taxes. Sponsor: Sen. Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township.
SB 888: Prohibit student workers from participating in the retirement system used by public school employees. Sponsor: Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph.
SB 889: Eliminate the basic skills exam required for teacher certification. Sponsor: Sen. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy.
SB 890: Require health facilities and local health departments to establish violence prevention programs. Sponsor: Sen. Joe Hune, Gregory.
SB 891: Exempt waste collection at water treatment facilities from some permit requirements. Sponsor: Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba.
SB 892: Allow individuals to install and use Breathalyzers that will restrict the operation of a vehicle in their personal vehicles. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.
SB 893: Modify the mobile home commission act to reflect change of ownership of mobile homes. Sponsor: Sen. Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township.
SB 894: Update the regulation of wireless communication infrastructure to comply with state law that was passed in 2006. Sponsor: Sen. Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek.
SB 895-896: Exempt notification requirements and statute of limitations for people who file wrongful imprisonment compensation cases in the state court of claims. Sponsors: Sens. Steven Bieda, D-Warren, Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.
SB 898: Modify the reporting requirements for captive insurance companies, which are groups that band together to insure themselves instead of going to an outside firm for insurance. Sponsor: Sen. Joe Hune, R-Gregory.
SB 901: Modify the definition of the practice of podiatric medicine and surgery. Sponsor: Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland.
For more information or to track the progress of bills, go to: www.legislature.mi.gov
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