Bill would affect first-time DUI offenders

CARSON CITY -- The Senate approved a bill Monday that would lower the blood-alcohol level for first-time DUI offenders who are eligible to seek treatment over jail time or another court-imposed sentence.

Senate Bill 91 was approved on a unanimous vote.

The bill would lower the alcohol concentration required for an individual to be allowed to swap a jail term for time in a drug or alcohol treatment program. Under current law the concentration is 0.18 percent. The bill would lower it to 0.15 percent.

SB91 would apply the modified concentration level to other existing law governing punishment for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The bill will now move to the Assembly for consideration.