House committee passes Rep. Robin Shackleford’s traffic amnesty bill

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana House committee has approved legislation authored by Representative Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) that would create a traffic amnesty program to enable Hoosiers who have lost their driving privileges to get back on the road more quickly.

The House Courts & Criminal Code Committee approved House Bill 1152, which would create a temporary 18-month amnesty program allowing people to pay reduced fees in order to get their licenses back. In many cases, people have lost their licenses due to parking fines and traffic violations.

“A suspended driver’s license prevents people from maintaining a regular job, keeping financial commitments, and helping other family members,” Shackleford said. “I don’t think we should automatically reinstate the licenses of these drivers but, I do support creation of some kind of amnesty that helps them live up to some of their responsibilities and maintaining their daily lives.”

Under the legislation, individuals who have outstanding license suspensions would be able to pay a reduced license reinstatement fee, as well as a reduced infraction judgment for offenses committed before January 2016. Individuals also would be required to pay an administrative fee.

Creation of an amnesty program has been a priority for Rep. Shackleford in recent sessions. In 2017, she authored legislation that created a legislative committee to study the issue last summer. The result of that work led to House Bill 1152.

“Nearly 500,000 Hoosiers have their driving privileges suspended due to unpaid financial obligations, ranging from parking tickets to driver’s license reinstatement fees,” Shackleford said. “Citizens who qualify for the traffic amnesty program can be given a chance to regain their licenses and help provide additional revenue for local services.”

Among those showing support for the bill were: Terry Curry, Marion County Prosecutor; Tim Brown, Indy Chamber; Andrew Bradley, Indiana Institute for Working Families; Kimberly Simmons, Indianapolis Urban League; Richard Samuels, Indianapolis Community Action Program; Vincent Hill, Indiana Minority Health Coalition; and Larry Landis, Public Defender’s Agency.