The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Taylor’s SB 210 on the license reinstatement fee reduction reducing the driver’s license reinstatement fee to: (1) $25 for a first suspension; (2) $50 for a second suspension; and (3) $100 for a third suspension.
The bill was amended by consent to clarify the past and future reinstatement fee reduction, restricted driving privileges, and reinstatement of driving privileges. The amended bill:
- establishes a temporary program to permit an individual required to pay a fee for reinstatement of driving privileges to satisfy the unpaid fees by paying $100
- permits the individual to regain driving privileges by paying the $100 driving privileges reinstatement fee to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), providing proof of future financial responsibility, and not being otherwise ineligible for reinstatement.
- establishes the insurance premium fund to help reduce insurance premium costs by up to 50% for an individual who has been granted a petition for reinstatement and whose annual household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level
- provides that the Department of Correction shall assist a committed offender in (1) obtaining driving privileges; (2) reinstating driving privileges; (3) applying for a waiver of reinstatement fees; and (4) establishing proof of financial responsibility; so that the committed offender may be eligible for driving privileges when the offender is subsequently released on parole, assigned to a community transition program, or discharged from the department.
- specifies that the BMV may restrict, but not suspend, the driving privileges of a person who operates a motor vehicle without proof of financial responsibility.
- specifies that a person whose driving privileges are restricted may only operate a motor vehicle while going to or returning from lawful employment, parenting time, medical appointments, and educational or vocational training.
- makes operating a motor vehicle in violation of the terms of a restricted license a Class C misdemeanor.
- provides that a person with restricted driving privileges is not required to pay a reinstatement fee for restoration of unrestricted driving privileges.
Representatives of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 8-0 and was recommitted to the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.
Read the bill here: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/senate/210