CS for SB 302 - Penalties and Fees Summary

• Prohibits driver license suspension solely for failure to pay traffic penalties or court fines if a person demonstrates financial inability to pay through specified documentation (unemployment, disability benefits, bankruptcy status, or indigency determination).

• Reduces driver license revocation/suspension periods for drug offenses from 1 year to 6 months for persons 18 and older, eliminates mandatory license suspension for minors under 18 for drug offenses, and removes all license suspension requirements for alcohol and tobacco violations.

• Requires clerks of court to solicit competitive bids for collection services, prohibits assessment of surcharges for collections referrals, and limits collection fees to no more than 40 percent of the amount owed.

• Allows traffic citation forms to inform violators of payment plan options and community service alternatives for those with demonstrable financial hardship.

• Repeals provisions relating to school attendance requirements for driver license eligibility and eliminates driver license suspension for certain minor offenses including graffiti, theft, and worthless checks.