House debates measure to delay driving privileges for habitual truants; amends automatic expiration rules

The House considered H.B. 93 on Feb. 18, a proposal to allow a juvenile court to delay a minor’s driving privileges for up to a year after the court finds the minor a "habitual truant" (defined in the bill as receiving three truancy citations within a single school year and unsuccessful district interventions).

Representative Bordeaux, who presented the measure, said the aim is to hold young people accountable and provide an incentive to address attendance problems early. "Truancy is our first best flag that a kid will enter the juvenile justice system," the sponsor told colleagues, arguing the delay could persuade families and students to correct attendance patterns.

Questions from members focused on fairness and mechanics. Representative Kaiser asked whether a citation at age 13 could bar a young person from getting a license at 16; the sponsor and later amendments clarified judges retain discretion and that family agreement is part of the process. Lawmakers adopted a friendly amendment to make the order expire automatically at the end of a 12‑month period if there is no further truancy, rather than requiring the minor to petition the court to lift the order.

Supporters emphasized judicial discretion and existing hardship modification procedures. Critics asked how the driver's license bureau would be notified of expirations and how the rule would interact with family hardship exceptions; proponents said the bill includes procedural pathways for petitions and judge review.

Next steps: the House adopted the floor amendment clarifying automatic expiration; further procedural steps and final disposition were to follow.