The State Senate Can End the Unfair Driver’s License Suspension Law

TAKE ACTION NOW

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is about to pass an important reform for people with criminal convictions. But the state Senate needs a final push from you to make it a reality.

Decades ago, the legislature passed a law that required an automatic suspension of a person’s driver’s license if they were convicted of any one of a long list of non-driving crimes, including drug possession and underage possession of tobacco.

That law erects an unnecessary barrier for people who are trying to move on from an entanglement with the criminal justice system. And there is no public safety argument for it.

House Bill 163 repeals this archaic law. The bill has already passed the House and has been passed by a committee of the state Senate. Tell your state senator to vote YES on HB 163.

Message Recipients:
Your State Upper Chamber Representatives

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Your Message

Subject

Dear Senator,

The Senate will soon vote on House Bill 163. Every year, over 30,000 Pennsylvanians have their drivers' licenses automatically suspended for non-driving offenses. This legislation would end this unfair practice, which does nothing to improve or protect public safety and, worse, creates obstacles that set people up to fail. Please vote "yes" on HB 163.

Message Body

At the height of the failed war on drugs, Pennsylvania enacted a law that requires the Department of Transportation to automatically suspend the driver's license of anyone convicted of certain non-driving offenses such as drug possession, carrying a fake ID, truancy, and underage purchase of tobacco.

Suspending a driver's license for offenses that don't involve a vehicle does nothing to improve or protect public safety, and, worse, it creates obstacles and barriers that set people up to fail.

House Bill 163 would repeal this law, ending this unfair practice. A driver's license plays a critical role in ensuring people can get their lives back on track after a conviction. With a driver's license, a person has more options in employment, and, with more options, they have a greater likelihood of meeting their financial obligations. And if they're a parent or a caretaker, they can be fully engaged in their family's lives.

A driver's license is especially critical for people who live in areas where public transportation is limited.

Pennsylvania should join the 38 other states that have already repealed similar unfair, outdated, and draconian policies.

It is time for Pennsylvania to be smart about criminal justice policy. Please vote "yes" on HB 163.

Warm regards,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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The State Senate Can End the Unfair Driver’s License Suspension Law

TAKE ACTION NOW

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