Pubdate: Wed, 14 Apr 2010
Source: State, The (SC)
Copyright: 2010 The State
Contact:  http://www.thestate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426
Author: Roddie Burris

SENATE REFUSES FEDERAL DRUG MANDATE

South Carolina would opt out of a federal mandate requiring driver's 
license suspensions for all persons convicted of drug offenses, under 
a resolution approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

The opt out, which must be agreed to by the governor and the full 
General Assembly, would allow the state to continue receiving federal 
transportation funds.

Federal law requires states to enact laws suspending driving 
privileges for anyone convicted of drug offenses, whether the offense 
was traffic related or not, and without regard to the age of the offender.

Under sentencing reform legislation recommendations that recently 
passed the Senate, the driving suspensions would only apply to 
minors, said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, who has led the reforms.

The state must still pass separate legislation to repeal the 
suspensions, which 32 other states also have begun.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom