MS SB2561

Establishes the "Empowering Reentry Through Licensing Act" authorizing the Department of Public Safety to issue six-month provisional driver's licenses to eligible persons released from incarceration.

Eligible persons must have served at least one year, be within 180 days of release or on probation/parole within six months of release, and have a suspended, revoked, or cancelled driver's license upon release.

Provisional licenses permit driving to and from residence, employment, school, child care, probation/parole meetings, authorized locations, and religious services, but do not apply to commercial operator's licenses.

Ineligible persons include those convicted of vehicular homicide or a third or subsequent DUI/DWI offense, and those whose licenses were suspended under the Driver License Compact.

Department of Public Safety must defer all pre-incarceration fees and penalties, issue provisional licenses at no cost, and develop procedures to issue full licenses after six months if driving record is cleared; Department of Corrections must identify eligible persons and provide driver's license status information upon admission.