Senate Bill 63: Restrictive Drivers License Requirements

Author:
Senator Larkin

Summary:
This was a driver’s license bill which would have required persons under 18 to have a high school diploma or its equivalent or be enrolled in an educational program leading to a diploma or equivalent diploma.

For minors who have not yet graduated they would have been required to present a “certificate of good student attendance” from the school they attend in order to get a driver’s license or permit. There was no provision for parents conducting a homeschool program to provide this certificate for their children. Therefore, if the had bill passed as written, a homeschool student would not be able to receive a driver’s license until they turned 18.

For minors who have graduated from high school they would have been required to present their diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED). Since the State of New York does not recognize diplomas issued through a home instruction program, it appears that homeschool students would not have been eligible for a driver’s license until they turned 18.

Status:

01/05/2005		Introduced before the Senate Transportation Committee.
06/24/2005		Assembly adjourned and is at the call of the Majority Leader. (Likely closed for the rest of the year).
06/23/2006		Legislature is Closed

Since this bill was not reported from a standing committee, the Committee on Health, it will be reintroduced in January, 2006.

HSLDA's Position:
This bill should be opposed.

Action Requested:
No action required at this time

Background:
Senator Larkin has introduced similar bills in 2000 and in the 2001-2002 and 2003-2004 legislative sessions. The respective bills were Senate Bill 6763, Senate Bill 1932, and Senate Bill 1376. None of these bills made it out of committee. However, HSLDA will monitor this bill closely and notify our members should any action be necessary.

Other Resources

Bill Text