Maine committee hears bill to end five‑year driver’s‑license suspensions following certain drug convictions

A Maine legislative committee heard extensive testimony on LD 421, a bill to repeal courts’ ability to suspend a person’s driver’s license for up to five years after a conviction for certain drug offenses, during a public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. Representative Nina Milliken presented the bill and urged lawmakers to remove a penalty that she and witnesses described as a barrier to reentry.

“This bill is about giving our returning neighbors a fair shot at rebuilding their lives,” Representative Nina Milliken said, describing a constituent known as “Phil” whose license was suspended for five years after a conviction tied to possession for personal use. “Without a driver’s license, even basic things like attending a job interview, seeing a doctor, or buying groceries become major obstacles.”

Supporters — including people who recently returned from incarceration, reentry organizations and recovery advocates — said suspensions commonly begin when people leave incarceration, when they most need transportation for work, medical care and treatment. Witnesses described rural Maine’s limited public transit as a key factor that makes license loss especially harmful.

“My license is…