SENATE REFUSES FEDERAL DRUG MANDATE

South Carolina would opt out of a federal mandate requiring driver's
license suspensions for all persons convicted of drug offenses, under
a resolution approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

The opt out, which must be agreed to by the governor and the full
General Assembly, would allow the state to continue receiving federal
transportation funds.

Federal law requires states to enact laws suspending driving
privileges for anyone convicted of drug offenses, whether the offense
was traffic related or not, and without regard to the age of the offender.

Under sentencing reform legislation recommendations that recently
passed the Senate, the driving suspensions would only apply to
minors, said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, who has led the reforms.

The state must still pass separate legislation to repeal the
suspensions, which 32 other states also have begun.