Bill
H 3739
Allows RMV to offer monthly payment plans for reinstatement fees and grant conditional reinstatement after initial payment.
Status and procedural history (selected)
- Introduced (House) 01/15/2025 by Rep. Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr.; referred to Committee on Judiciary (01/15/2025).
- Referred to Committee on Transportation 02/27/2025. Senate concurrence recorded 02/27/2025.
- Public hearing scheduled 07/08/2025.
- Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means 09/15/2025.
- Related docket: HD 2718 (replaces).
(Note: some docket entries appear out of sequence in source materials; dates above reflect reported actions.)
Purpose / intent
- To reduce financial barriers to driver’s license reinstatement after suspension or revocation by authorizing the Massachusetts Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to accept partial/periodic payments of fees required for reinstatement and to allow conditional reinstatement upon initial payment.
Key provisions
- Amends Section 33 of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws by replacing the existing thirty-seventh paragraph with new language that:
- Authorizes the Registrar to allow any person owing fees related to suspensions or revocations of any license or right to operate a motor vehicle to enter into a monthly payment plan for those reinstatement fees.
- Sets the minimum monthly payment at $25.00.
- Permits the Registrar to accept automatic monthly payments by credit or debit card, or payments by check or money order (by mail or in person).
- Allows the Registrar, upon receipt of the first payment under such a plan and if the person is otherwise qualified, to issue a conditional reinstatement of the license or driving privilege.
- Requires revocation of a conditional reinstatement if a required monthly payment is more than 30 days past due or if the person violates any motor vehicle law listed in Chapter 90.
- Provides that upon payment in full of the fees owed, the Registrar shall fully reinstate the license or right to operate a motor vehicle if the person is otherwise qualified.
Who would be affected
- Individuals with suspended or revoked Massachusetts driver’s licenses who owe reinstatement fees — they would gain access to monthly payment plans with conditional reinstatement possibilities.
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) — would implement, manage, and enforce payment plans and conditional reinstatements.
- Law enforcement and courts may see indirect effects (changes to compliance, license statuses); state fiscal impact depends on payment compliance and administrative implementation.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Improves access: may reduce the economic burden that prevents some drivers from regaining legal driving privileges, potentially increasing lawful driving and access to work.
- Administrative workload: RMV would need systems/processes for enrollment, payment processing (including card-on-file), conditional reinstatement tracking, and delinquency enforcement.
- Compliance risk: conditional reinstatement can be revoked for 30+ day delinquencies or motor-vehicle-law violations, balancing access with public safety concerns.
- Fiscal: could increase short-term collection via installment payments but may require initial administrative investment; exact budgetary effects are not specified in the bill text.
Note on unrelated material
- The source document includes an unrelated draft South Carolina bill amending the definition of “federal law enforcement officer.” That text is not part of Massachusetts H 3739 and appears to be inserted in error.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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