Eligible sexual offense reporters would avoid some drug and alcohol charges

Officials would not cite, charge, arrest, or prosecute a qualifying person for a covered drug or alcohol offense. Covered offenses are civil penalties, violations, and misdemeanors involving drug or alcohol possession or use. Eligible people include victims, witnesses, and people who in good faith report a sexual offense or request help for a victim. The person must give their full name, contact information, and enough details to suggest a sexual offense occurred. The drug or alcohol evidence must come from the related report or request for help, and the person must not be accused of the sexual offense.

Officials would not revoke or change a qualifying person's release before trial, probation, or parole based on a protected incident. This applies only to an incident for which the person would be protected from the covered drug or alcohol charges. Officials also could not use the incident to allege a probation violation or seek a warrant or notice to appear over probation or a suspended sentence.

The measure would still allow prosecution based on independent evidence and investigation or prosecution of other crimes or violations. These limits apply even when someone qualifies for protection from drug or alcohol charges tied to a sexual offense report or request for help.