In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to make driving with a suspended driver’s license after a second violation an arrestable offense.

Currently, mandatory jail time for driving on a suspended license does not occur until the sixth violation, with the exception of whether a DUI was involved or was the reason for a driver’s license suspension. I have continually heard from police officers that they are stopping vehicles where drivers are unlicensed and the drivers face no repercussions for their actions, as prior to the sixth violation, jail time is only optional and a summary offense, which often goes unpunished. Our police officers are being prevented from keeping our communities safe from drivers who are careless enough to continually drive on a suspended license.

To that end, my legislation makes a second or third violation of driving with a suspended driver’s license a misdemeanor of the third degree, alongside a fine of $500 to $2,500. Furthermore, my legislation makes a fourth or subsequent offense of driving with a suspended driver’s license a misdemeanor of the third degree, alongside a fine of $2,500 and a term of imprisonment of 30 days to 12 months.

Understandably, it is common for people to not know they have a suspension on their driver’s license, and they only find out once they are pulled over by a police officer. My legislation does not seek to punish those who inadvertently drive with a suspended driver’s license, it targets those who habitually drive with a suspended driver’s license after a second violation.

I hope you will consider joining me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to allow our police officers to keep our communities safe.