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Windy Boy opposes MIP sanctions
Tim Leeds
Senate delays action on license measure
The state Senate decided more work is needed on one piece of proposed DUI reform after some lawmakers argued it went too far in punishing minors issued tickets for possession of alcohol.
A measure to ban those under 18 from holding a driver's license if they are caught with alcohol quickly ran into trouble Friday as sponsors sought approval from the full Senate.
Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, told the Senate the punishment is far too severe and argued the package of proposed DUI reform puts the Legislature on "the path of criminalizing everyone in Montana."
Windy Boy said he is strongly against driving under the influence and would strongly favor suspending the license of any young person convicted of DUI.
Young people driving under the influence should be told "tough luck, kid, you have to wait until you are 18," Windy Boy told the Havre Daily News.
But minors in possession — or MIPs — should not automatically lose their license privileges.
"There is strong peer pressure on our young people," he said. "And sometimes they drink when they shouldn't. We all make mistakes."
If people are caught drinking at a graduation party or at a bonfire, they should not automatically lose their driver licenses — unless they are caught driving, the senator said.
"We need to be real, kids will be kids and go whether we like it or not," he said.
"Please don't get me wrong on this issue, we do need to do something on the MIP or DUI's," Windy Boy said. "But this bill in its present form isn't cutting it. We as parents and grandparents, need to step-up and take responsibility."
He said in rural area, such as north-central Montana, young people are often required to do farm work, and losing their license will make it difficult on the entire family.
Windy Boy said he favored spending more time studying the issue of teen suicide.
There have been seven sucidies, most of them involving young people, in the Fort Peck area of his district, he said.
Windy Boy said he favored some of the anti-DUI reforms being proposed, but had questions about others.
The state Senate decided more work is needed on one piece of proposed DUI reform after some lawmakers argued it went too far in punishing minors issued tickets for possession of alcohol.
A measure to ban those under 18 from holding a driver's license if they are caught with alcohol quickly ran into trouble Friday as sponsors sought approval from the full Senate.
Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, told the Senate the punishment is far too severe and argued the package of proposed DUI reform puts the Legislature on "the path of criminalizing everyone in Montana."
Windy Boy said he is strongly against driving under the influence and would strongly favor suspending the license of any young person convicted of DUI.
Young people driving under the influence should be told "tough luck, kid, you have to wait until you are 18," Windy Boy told the Havre Daily News.
But minors in possession — or MIPs — should not automatically lose their license privileges.
"There is strong peer pressure on our young people," he said. "And sometimes they drink when they shouldn't. We all make mistakes."
If people are caught drinking at a graduation party or at a bonfire, they should not automatically lose their driver licenses — unless they are caught driving, the senator said.
"We need to be real, kids will be kids and go whether we like it or not," he said.
"Please don't get me wrong on this issue, we do need to do something on the MIP or DUI's," Windy Boy said. "But this bill in its present form isn't cutting it. We as parents and grandparents, need to step-up and take responsibility."
He said in rural area, such as north-central Montana, young people are often required to do farm work, and losing their license will make it difficult on the entire family.
Windy Boy said he favored spending more time studying the issue of teen suicide.
There have been seven sucidies, most of them involving young people, in the Fort Peck area of his district, he said.
Windy Boy said he favored some of the anti-DUI reforms being proposed, but had questions about others.
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