HB 1408: State Identification for Homeless Persons

This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Public Safety to create rules and regulations for homeless individuals to obtain an alternative state identification card, which will not require proof of domicile, a key requirement for standard identification. The bill defines "homeless" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate residence or living in temporary arrangements. It also amends existing laws to ensure that this provision for homeless persons is recognized and to clarify that certain documentation requirements for non-citizens applying for identification cards do not apply to homeless individuals as defined in this act. The Real ID Act of 2005 is a federal law that sets minimum security standards for state-issued identification cards and driver's licenses to be accepted for federal purposes, such as boarding airplanes. This bill aims to provide a pathway for identification for a vulnerable population without conflicting with federal standards.