WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 4998

An Act relative to offenses while driving on a non-administrative license suspension

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ted Philips

H 4998 establishes enhanced criminal penalties for driving with court-ordered license suspensions to strengthen enforcement of judicial suspension orders in Massachusetts.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4998

Legislative bill overview

H 4998 creates new criminal penalties for driving with a suspended license when that suspension is non-administrative in nature (meaning it resulted from a court judgment rather than administrative action by the Registry of Motor Vehicles). The bill establishes enhanced offenses and potential consequences for violating such court-ordered suspensions.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses a gap in Massachusetts law by distinguishing between administrative suspensions (automatic, regulatory) and judicial suspensions (imposed by courts as punishment). The distinction matters because driving on a judicially-imposed suspension represents deliberate violation of a court order, which policymakers argue warrants stricter penalties. This could affect thousands of drivers annually and influences public safety enforcement priorities.

Potential points of contention

  • Proportionality concerns: Critics may argue that creating separate, harsher penalties for non-administrative suspensions could result in disproportionate consequences for individuals who may face complex circumstances affecting their ability to comply with court orders
  • Enforcement clarity: Questions exist about how law enforcement will efficiently distinguish between administrative and non-administrative suspensions during traffic stops, potentially creating implementation challenges
  • Equity implications: Enhanced penalties could disproportionately impact lower-income drivers who struggle to maintain license compliance and may lack resources to address underlying suspension causes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.