SENATE OK'S BILL THAT TARGETS DRIVERS USING ILLEGAL DRUGS

With no debate, the Iowa Senate on Monday endorsed a plan to impose the
same punishments in Iowa's drunken-driving laws on motorists proven to be
under the influence of illegal drugs.

The provision is part of a broader plan to toughen penalties on drug
dealers and users, particularly those involved with methamphetamines.

The Senate voted 44-2 to approve the bill, and return it to the House,
where lawmakers must consider some minor changes. Just a week ago the
House voted 96-3 to approve essentially the same bill.

"This is probably the most significant criminal law bill of the session,"
said Judiciary Committee Chairman Andy McKean, R-Anamosa.

Under terms of the bill, drivers shown to have detectable levels of a long
list of hard drugs would be subject to prosecution under the laws that
cover drunken driving.

They say prosecutions of so-called drugged drivers are possible under the
law now, but rare. By explicitly addressing hard drugs as an intoxicant in
Iowa law, prosecutors say they expect prosecutions of drugged drivers to
become easier and more common.

Other provisions include:

Making third-offense drug possession a felony.

Eliminating a judge's discretion to suspend a mandatory minimum sentence
for methamphetamine dealers.

Denying appeal bonds for convicted dealers.

Allowing judges to deny state and federal benefits, such as college student
aid, to convicted users and dealers until they complete a rehabilitation
program.

Reporter Thomas A. Fogarty can be reached at fogartyt@news.dmreg.com or
(515) 286-2533.