Mississippi House Bill HB924

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Driver's license; authorize issuance of hardship license to persons who have their licenses suspended as a result of being out of compliance with order for support.

Impact

The proposed legislation amends several sections of the Mississippi Code and introduces a new set of procedures for obtaining hardship licenses. Under this bill, a driver’s license can now be restricted to allow operation only to commute to work or attend religious services. The license will also have a specific term of four years and will differ visually from a standard driver’s license to indicate its limited usage. This change is expected to improve access to driving for individuals who would otherwise be unable to maintain employment due to license suspensions related to child support non-compliance.

Summary

House Bill 924 aims to authorize the issuance of hardship driver’s licenses to individuals whose licenses have been suspended for non-compliance with child support orders. This bill allows these individuals to petition the chancery court for hardship driving privileges if they can demonstrate that their inability to drive would hinder their employment. The court must be satisfied with the evidence presented, which includes documentation from the Mississippi Department of Human Services validating the need for such a license.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential implications this may have on enforcement of child support orders. Some lawmakers may express concerns that enabling individuals to obtain hardship licenses could undermine the enforcement of financial responsibilities mandated by support orders. There might also be discussions about the effectiveness of this approach in ensuring compliance, as granting a privilege to those who have failed to meet obligations could be seen as conflicting with the intent of child support laws.