The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1199 authored by Rep. McNamara and Rep. Steuerwald regarding driving while suspended. This bill provides that the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) shall stay a suspension of a person’s driving privileges, and terminate that suspension, upon a showing of proof of future financial responsibility. The bill requires that the bureau terminate a suspension of a person’s driving privileges if the bureau does not receive proof that financial responsibility is not in effect after 180 days. The bill also provides that a suspension may be stayed and then terminated if a person fails to pay the judgment, that a warrant may be issued for failing to appear in a traffic violation case if the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, and that a person whose support obligation is enforced by the Title IV-D agency may have the obligor’s driving privileges reinstated.
The bill was amended by consent to: 1) permit forbearance of reinstatement fees for non-violent offenders who enroll in job training; 2) provide a program for reinstatement of licenses for convicted offenders; and 3) extend the traffic amnesty program for an additional 18 months.
The Indiana Public Defender Council, Department of Correction, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill at: http://www.iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/house/1199