Bill removing barriers to substance abuse treatment due to abstract driving records signed into law

Gov. Inslee signed legislation Thursday aimed at helping Washingtonians who face difficulty in accessing substance-abuse treatment due to incomplete copies of their driving records.

Senate Bill 5347 is sponsored by Sen. Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro Woolley), who said that limits on obtaining a full and comprehensive driver’s record from the Department of Licensing can often keep people from receiving effective treatment or meeting court-ordered obligations.

The bill eliminates the limitation on the DOL providing an abstract driving record covering five years or less.

The bill also eliminates a restriction that limits records of alcohol-related offenses to a 10-year period, which allows the department to provide a full copy of a person’s driving record with all offenses to substance-abuse treatment agencies.

The law created by the bill will go into effect on July 23.

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