Those facing drug-related or other nontraffic violations in Pennsylvania will no longer have their drivers' licenses automatically revoked.

Act 95, which was signed into law in October by Gov. Tom Wolf, is now in effect, according to the governor's office.

The act amends a federal law put into place during the 1990s when the “war on drugs” sought to significantly reduce drug-related crimes.

For years, the federal government threatened states with reduced federal highway funding if they refused to automatically suspend the licenses of those convicted of nontraffic drug crimes.

A news release from Wolf's office said more than 20,000 Pennsylvania drivers' licenses were suspended each year for non-driving offenses.

Jason Beckwith of Action in Recovery, a county program in which those striving for sobriety participate in community service projects, said Act 95 makes sense.

He said those facing drug-related convictions must be able to drive to their jobs to pay their fines and support themselves and their families as they work to improve their lives.

“It just adds more stress,” Beckwith said of revoking the license of a struggling addict. “All it's doing is pushing them closer to using their coping mechanism, which was using the drug in the first place.”

Joyce Ainsworth, the county human services director, is also in favor of Act 95.

She said barriers to housing and driving privileges can be overwhelming for an addict in his or her quest to move forward.

“We need to try to break down some of these barriers so people in recovery are more successful,” Ainsworth said.

Wolf agrees. “We must ensure penalties promote rehabilitation, instead of the opposite,” he said in the release. “We need to make this is our goal when it comes to probation and parole and bail policies. If our policies make a second chance harder, especially in a way that is disproportional by economic status, they need to change.”

Wolf said 41 states have opted out of the federal law enacted in the 1990s to take away the licenses of those convicted on nontraffic drug-related charges, buying tobacco underage, and a few other offenses committed by juveniles.

“I hope the nine remaining states with this archaic law will follow Pennsylvania's lead in championing commonsense criminal justice reform, such as ending driver's license suspensions for non-driving offenses,” Wolf said.

Beckwith said while more change is needed in helping former addicts recover, Act 95 is a solid start.

“We're making progress for people in recovery and those who are trying to maintain their sobriety,” he said.