Oct. 27, 2017
PITTSBURGH - At a press conference today, Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny/Washington) announced legislation to end driver’s license suspensions for people convicted of a non-vehicle related crime.
He was joined by Steve Shelton of The Pittsburgh Trade Institute, retired state parole officer Joyce Douglass, Anna Hollis of Amachi Pittsburgh, and Khalif Ali of The Pittsburgh Foundation and local Allegheny and Washington County residents in supporting the legislation to end driver’s license suspensions for people convicted of a non-vehicle related crime.
“In many cases involving license suspensions for non-driving offenses, the inability for offenders to drive takes away their livelihood, the ability to provide for their families and their ability to be productive members of society,” said Saccone.
The Pittsburgh Foundation, which is focusing on criminal justice reform and removing barriers to economic opportunity through its 100 Percent Pittsburgh organizing principle, supports measures that eliminate driver’s license suspensions for non-driving offenses. Khalif Ali, the foundation’s director of Public Policy and Advocacy, spoke in support of the legislation at a hearing of the House of Transportation and Judiciary Committees earlier today.
“Driver’s license suspensions for non-driving and drug-related offenses create insurmountable barriers for people who have served their time and are trying to become productive citizens,” said Ali. “We are encouraged by the bipartisan support these bills are receiving both as criminal justice reform and workforce development measures.”
House Bill 42, authored by Saccone, would remove the driver’s license suspension for non-driving related convictions such as theft, purchase of tobacco or alcohol by a minor, or carrying a false identification card.
“While I agree with the fines and structure associated with these crimes, I don’t believe the added penalty of a license suspension is warranted nor does it curb behavior,” said Saccone. “The individual convicted of any non-driving offense would be better served by doing community service.”
In separate legislation, House Bill 163, which Saccone also introduced, would eliminate the driver’s license suspension for any individual convicted of a crime related to the possession, sale or delivery of a controlled substance.
“Many people also incorrectly assume that Pennsylvania residents are able to obtain a work or ‘bread and butter’ license that at least allows a person to drive to and from work,” said Saccone. “In Pennsylvania, the work license is called an Occupational Limited License (OLL), and the limited license generally allows a person to drive to and from work, school and medical appointments. The problem is that few people are eligible to receive such a license. For example, a person suffering from a suspension for a drug charge, like possession with intent to deliver a drug or possession of marijuana, is not eligible to receive an OLL.”
House Bill 163 currently sits in the Transportation Committee, while House Bill 42 rests in the Judiciary Committee.
For more information on this legislation, visit
www.RepSaccone.com or
www.Facebook.com/RepSaccone.
Representative Rick Saccone
39th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Madry
717.260.6587
mmadry@pahousegop.com
RepSaccone.com /
Facebook.com/RepSaccone