SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6020

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Labor & Workforce Development, March 2, 1999

Title:  An act relating to recording of social security numbers on applications for licenses to assist in child support enforcement.

Brief Description:  Delaying implementation of the requirement to record social security numbers on license applications to assist in child support enforcement.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove, Fairley, Benton, Kohl‑Welles, Zarelli, Swecker, Roach, McDonald, Rossi, Morton, Spanel, Thibaudeau, Hochstatter, T. Sheldon, Sheahan, Johnson, Prentice, Brown, Heavey, Stevens and Costa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  2/25/99, 3/2/99 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6020 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Kline and Oke.

Staff:  David Pringle (786-7448)

Background:  The federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (welfare reform) made significant changes to the child support enforcement system, including increasing the use of Social Security numbers on license applications to improve tracking of obligors.

In 1998, the Washington State Legislature passed ESSB 6418 to conform with federal requirements.  Subsequently Congress postponed the deadline for implementation of state collection of Social Security numbers on drivers= licenses until October 1, 2000, or such earlier date as the state may select.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Legislature declares that it will delay the collection of Social Security numbers on applications for original, replacement, or renewal noncommercial drivers' licenses until the federal government actually implements requirements to do so.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The effect of the bill is narrowed from all drivers' licenses, professional licenses, occupations licenses, and recreational licenses to only noncommercial drivers' licenses.  This reflects current federal law.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 24, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Congress is becoming more concerned about the privacy implications of wide use of Social Security numbers.  There are some big questions about personal security, privacy, and identity theft that are not being addressed by these requirements.  We should put off complying until necessary, as there is growing support to stop implementation of these programs.

Testimony Against:  The federal delay only applies to regular drivers' licenses, and the original bill applies to all licenses.  This (original) bill will be challenged as out of compliance unless changed to only apply to drivers' licenses.  Wide use of Social Security numbers on licenses, including drivers' licenses, can be a valuable tool for interstate tracking of child support obligors.

Testified:  Jerry Sheehan, American Civil Liberties Union (pro); Mike Kreidler, United States Department of Health and Human Services (con).