Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has signed into law a bill that will help hundreds of bus and truck drivers keep their driving privileges.
The new law followed steps taken by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles that threatened to disqualify nearly 500 commercial drivers.
In August, the agency sent notifications to affected individuals that they would soon lose their CDLs. Bus and truck drivers who had certain offenses while operating personal vehicles nearly two decades ago or longer were placed on notice.
Facing backlash after sending the notifications, the Registry of Motor Vehicles created a hearing process to give drivers an opportunity to plead their case to keep their CDL.
Legislative remedy
Healey also went to work on the issue. She introduced a bill to bring Massachusetts in line with the federal rule that requires periods of disqualification for certain offenses committed in a passenger vehicle, but only for offenses that occurred after Sept. 30, 2005.
In a letter to lawmakers, the governor said that while federal law requires CDL disqualification for passenger vehicle offenses occurring after September 2005, Massachusetts law does not include the limitation.
Previously H5139, the new law puts the limitation into statute. Also included is a requirement for the RMV to draft regulations to establish guidelines and conditions under which a lifetime disqualification may be reduced to 10 years. The draft regulations are due by July 1.
The governor said the new law will save hundreds of jobs.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring safety on our roads while also supporting the many hardworking Massachusetts residents who rely on commercial driver’s licenses for their livelihoods,” Healey said in prepared remarks.
Bus and truck drivers with more recent offenses will, as before, continue to be subject to all federally mandated disqualification periods.
More than half of the people facing disqualification are being sent letters to inform them they no longer face a downgrade, the governor’s office said. Another 65 drivers will soon be cleared after they address other outstanding obligations. About two dozen drivers have already had their disqualifications reversed.
Multiple instances of operating under the influence are not eligible for removal. LL
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