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Driver’s License Suspension Reforms To Be Considered On Monday

News & Releases Shirley K. Turner

TRENTON – Senate Committees will meet on Monday to consider a wide array of new legislation, including a package of bills sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would implement some of the recommendations of the Motor Vehicle Affordability and Fairness Task Force.

Senator Turner’s bill will be considered by the Senator Transportation Committee at their 10 a.m. meeting.

Among the Motor Vehicle Affordability and Fairness Task Force recommendations implemented in her legislation are:

the authorization for judges to suspend an individual’s motor vehicle registration rather than their driver’s license (S-2236);

revisions in the statute that governing license suspensions for driving without insurance that shorten the duration of the suspension for people who subsequently secure insurance (S-2328);

modifications to the MVC’s license surcharge repayment program to require only 5% of the surcharge be paid before a license suspension can be lifted and allow payment plans of up to 36 months; (S-2331)

provisions that allow judges to work out payment plans for motor vehicle fines and fees for drivers who can show that they meet certain financial hardship criteria or waive up to $100 dollars of any fine owed by such an individual and replace it with community service. (S-2332)

These changes to the law are part of a larger effort by Senator Turner to enable individuals to keep their driver’s licenses so they can continue to drive to work, apply for jobs that require a valid driver’s license, and earn an income while ensuring the State receives the money that is owed and the individuals in question are not allowed to avoid the penalties and fines.

The Transportation Committee will meet in Committee Room 10 of the State House Annex.

Four other Senate Committees will meet on Monday. At 10 a.m., the Senate Commerce Committee will convene in Committee Room 1 and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will convene in Committee Room 4. At 1 p.m. The Senator Economic Growth Committee will meet in Committee Room 1 and the Senate Environment Committee with meet in Committee Room 10.

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