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Research conducted by two IU McKinney students, and the solutions they proposed, will be considered during an interim study committee during Summer 2016.

Ryan Schwier, ’16, and 3L Autumn Hempfling, completed the study “Roadblock to Economic Independence: How Driver’s License Suspension Policies in Indiana Impede Financial Self-Sufficiency, Burden State Government, and Tax Public Resources” as part of their work in the Health and Human Rights Clinic. Not only did the study point out the problems faced by the poor in reinstating their driver’s licenses after suspension, the research offered solutions for legislators’ consideration.

The issue was the subject of House Resolution 40, passed in the waning days of the 2016 legislative session. The resolution calls for the subject to be assigned to an appropriate committee so legislators can consider solutions that could be passed in future sessions of the Indiana General Assembly.

Schwier and Hempfling’s research shows that state laws and procedures related to driver’s licenses suspensions impact low-income Hoosiers disproportionately. The use of driver’s license suspensions for reasons not related to driving safety, combined with the increase in license reinstatement fees, make it difficult for the poor to legally regain their licenses. The lack of reliable alternative transportation and the growing suburbanization of jobs means that these suspensions create barriers to maintaining employment.

“With any luck, and with the perseverance of those committed to seeing it through, we can turn this into a bill for the upcoming legislative session,” said Schwier.