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Senate advances driver-license revisions to allow restricted licenses for rehabilitated offenders
Summary
First substitute SB 147 authorizes restricted licenses for people with past drug-related suspensions after meeting a three-year clean period and physician verification; Amendment 1 clarified physician certification language and the bill passed to the third-reading calendar by roll call.
Senator Hilliard presented first substitute Senate Bill 147, which adjusts driver‑license rules to permit limited, restricted licenses for certain people who previously lost driving privileges because of drug convictions or related suspensions.
Under the substitute, eligibility requires at least three years since the first denial, written verification from the applicant’s primary care physician that the applicant has been free from illegal drug use for three years and that, for one year prior, there have been no convictions for driving without a license. The restricted license would allow driving to and from work, and violation of the restriction would bar future restricted licenses.
Senator Hilliard introduced Amendment 1 to clarify that the physician must be the applicant’s primary care physician and to require that the physician be unaware of any physical, emotional or mental impairment affecting driving ability. The amendment passed on voice vote. Supporters described the change as a measured rehabilitation tool; some senators urged exploration of juvenile expungement options but the sponsor said expungement does not apply to driver‑license revocations.
First substitute SB 147 was reported and then passed on roll call (28 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent) to the third‑reading calendar.
