This section gives the commissioner enforcement authority, requires notice and hearings in certain accident-license cases, allows appeal of commissioner actions, and sets reporting and mailing rules.
§852. Commissioner to administer law; hearings; notice to injured parties; appeal to court A. The commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Chapter and may make rules and regulations necessary for its administration and shall provide for hearings upon request of persons aggrieved by orders or acts of the commissioner under the provisions of this Chapter. B. Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, whenever a person is involved in an accident and as a result thereof, whether directly or indirectly, the director of public safety is requested or required to hold an administrative hearing to determine whether or not that person's driver's license or driving privilege is to be suspended, cancelled, or revoked, the director shall, in addition, notify each party who suffered personal injury or property damage in such accident of the hearing. Such notification shall be made by regular or first class mail to the last known address of the party. The notification shall state therein that the hearing will be held, for what purpose the hearing will be held, that the party to whom the notification is made may attend the hearing, and that the hearing shall in addition be held for the purpose of determining whether or not compensation has been made for damages. C. Any order or act of the commissioner, under the provisions of this Chapter, shall be subject to review by appeal to the district court of the parish of East Baton Rouge or by appeal to the district court of the domicile of appellant, provided an appeal is filed in the district court within thirty days from the effective dates of the order or act of the commissioner, at the instance of any party in interest. The court shall determine whether the filing of the appeal shall operate as a stay of any such order or decision of the commissioner. The court may, in disposing of the issue before it, modify, affirm or reverse the order or decision of the commissioner in whole or in part. D. The deputy secretary for the office of public safety services shall annually include in his budget a provision for the expenditure of funds to improve the enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law. Ten days prior to the beginning of each regular session of the legislature, he shall submit a written report to each house of the legislature on the effectiveness of the law and his enforcement efforts, for amending the law, and for additional authority or financial assistance he requires to enforce the law effectively. E. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, no fine, fee, or other monetary sanction shall be imposed for failure to respond to any notice required as provided in this Chapter as it provides for notices of suspension or revocation of driving privileges or motor vehicle registration privileges unless the notice was transmitted by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Acts 1952, No. 52, §2. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 626, §1. Acts 1984, No. 212, §2, eff. July. 1, 1985; Acts 1991, No. 1020, §1; Acts 1992, No. 984, §10.