A bill backed by State Rep. Bill Straus of Mattapoisett (D) and signed Wednesday by Gov. Charlie Baker, will allow low-level drug offenders to keep their driver’s licenses.

About 30 years ago, the state’s “war on drugs” lead to the enactment of a law that stopped those convicted of drug-related crimes from being able to drive legally for five years.

Staus said there was no way for those convicted to get their license back, even in hardship cases, which makes it difficult for some offenders to get jobs, help family members, etc.

“No one is endorsing or sanctioning drug use, but we should keep the disposition and sanctions to those in criminal court system not the Registry of Motor Vehicles,” said Straus.

He was not one of the original sponsors of the bill, but as the House Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, did support it and worked with members of the State Senate to iron out a bill that was agreeable to both branches. It passed unanimously in the House and Senate.

Straus said they did not want to send a “mixed message” with the bill, so high-level drug traffickers will still have the five-year sanction on their license. The new law does allow for the possibility of applying for a hardship.

Massachusetts is one of almost three dozen states that has ended its automatic suspension of licenses for drug-related crimes.