A bill allowing the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to waive payments by felons before they can receive a provisional license passed out of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee Wednesday.
State Representative Pam Peterson’s bill enables courts to order the DPS to delay payment of required fines and fees by some felons before they can have their driving privileges reinstated. The provisional license only lets a person travel to and from work, school, and a few other activities.
The Tulsa Republican says it can be a major barrier for people leaving incarceration or who are involved in treatment programs like Tulsa’s Women in Recovery.
“Those women do not have access to a good transit system. They may have a job, and yet the county fines and fees have kept and prevented them from getting a legal provisional license, which also means they would have insurance to drive and get to their job,” Peterson said.
She stressed the bill does not eliminate the payments outright.
"I think this will make a big difference in a lot of people's lives," Peterson said.
HB 2474 now goes to the full House.
KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
