Virginia Law

A. No offender who has a court order pursuant to § 18.2-270.1 of the Code of Virginia shall use a remote alcohol monitoring device in Virginia unless enrolled in and monitored by the ASAP. Prior to providing offender orientation of the device, the service provider shall first receive written or electronic authorization from the ASAP for the particular offender. This section also applies to out-of-state offenders who have a Virginia court-ordered remote alcohol monitoring requirement. This enables the commission to maintain consistency in policy and use of remote alcohol monitoring devices in the Commonwealth of Virginia and allows for a consistent pattern of instruction to the manufacturer's service providers.

B. The remote monitoring device shall have orientation provided by a commission-approved service provider within 30 days of the date of the court order; if not, the service provider shall notify the ASAP. Once orientation has occurred, the service provider shall notify the ASAP via a method established by the commission, documenting that the remote alcohol monitoring device orientation has been completed.

C. All agreements between the service provider and the offender shall be in the form of a contract and signed by the service provider and the offender. Copies of the contract shall be retained by the service provider in a manner that complies with federal confidentiality guidelines, with a copy given to the offender.

D. Prior to orientation of the remote alcohol monitoring device, offenders shall provide to the service provider:

1. Photo identification; and

2. Written authorization from the commission when the air volume requirement, blow pressure, or anti-circumvention features of the remote alcohol monitoring device are to be lowered or disabled in order to compensate for an offender's diminished lung capacity, when applicable.

E. A training video for remote alcohol monitoring devices shall be developed and delivered by the service provider to the offender, including information on the use and maintenance of the device as well as procedures for regular and emergency servicing. A remote alcohol monitoring demonstration unit shall be made available to an offender at the offender's orientation appointment for training and practice purposes.

F. Prior to attaching a transdermal unit to an offender, the offender must be breath tested using a remote alcohol monitoring device certified by the commission for use in Virginia to confirm the offender has no BAC level. If during the orientation and demonstration of the remote alcohol monitoring device, the offender provides a positive BAC, the ASAP shall be notified.

G. The service provider shall maintain a toll-free 24-hour emergency telephone service that may be used to request assistance in the event of failure of the remote alcohol monitoring device. The assistance provided by the authorized service provider shall include technical information. The remote alcohol monitoring device shall be made functional within 48 hours of the call for assistance or the remote alcohol monitoring device shall be replaced.

H. At the time of device orientation, a service provider may charge an orientation fee. The maximum permissible cost for orientation of the device shall be set by the commission, and service providers shall not be permitted to exceed the maximum fee established by the commission. A portion of these fees shall include costs for offender indigency funds. In addition to the maximum fee permitted, service providers may collect applicable taxes and charge for optional insurance to cover device theft or accidental damage. Optional insurance may be offered by the service provider, and a written copy of the insurance policy stating clearly the applicable coverages, coverage amounts, conditions, and exclusions shall be given to offenders who purchase the insurance.

I. The manufacturer or manufacturer's service providers shall provide service to those offenders who are eligible for a reduction in fees based upon a declaration of indigence by the court and approval by the commission.

J. A remote alcohol monitoring device installed and assigned to one offender shall not be assigned simultaneously to any additional offender for the purpose of attempting to comply with a court-ordered Virginia remote alcohol monitoring requirement.

K. Remote alcohol monitoring services provided by one service provider for an individual offender shall not be transferred to another remote alcohol monitoring service provider without written permission from the commission. If the offender's reason to transfer to another remote alcohol monitoring service provider is based upon a malfunctioning remote alcohol monitoring device or legitimate customer service issue, the commission shall not unreasonably deny permission.

L. Remote alcohol monitoring test times shall be set by the court of jurisdiction. In the absence of recommended time settings by the court of jurisdiction, default test times shall be set by the commission.