Gov. Baker To Sign Bill Letting Drug Offenders Keep Licenses

BOSTON (AP) — People convicted of less serious drug crimes will no longer face automatic driver’s license suspensions of up to five years under a bill about to become law.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker plans to sign the bill at 11 a.m. Wednesday at a Statehouse ceremony. He’ll be joined by Democratic Senate President Stan Rosenberg.

The Legislature unanimously approved the bill last week.

The current law stems from a 1980s-era get-tough approach to illegal drugs, but critics say it makes it more difficult for offenders who have completed their sentences to get jobs and avoid returning to drugs.

The bill also waives a $500 reinstatement fee that drug offenders had to pay to get their licenses back.

Judges could still suspend the licenses of people convicted of serious drug trafficking crimes.