(Juneau) - A bill to encourage the use of therapeutic courts, aimed at saving money and reducing recidivism rates among those convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) has passed the House of Representatives. HB 441, sponsored by Representative Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), passed the House by a vote of 35 to 0.

Representative Rokeberg said of the bill, "I am pleased to see further legislative support for therapeutic courts which provide a rigorous method of monitoring and treatment for DUI defendants. These courts save the state money and help in changing the lives of many habitual offenders."

With the increased number of therapeutic courts across the country and throughout Alaska, including new courts in Fairbanks and Ketchikan, HB 441 would provide streamlined rules and regulations to assist the therapeutic courts in acting uniformly in their operations.

The legislation now moves to the Senate.

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