SB 5412-S2 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 3RD SUB)

Declares it is the purpose of this act to significantly reduce identity theft and other fraud by preventing the fraudulent issuance of driver's licenses and identicards.

Declares that a person who violates RCW 9.35.020 is liable for civil damages of one thousand dollars or actual damages, whichever is greater, including costs to repair the victim's credit record, and reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the court.

Requires that: (1) No later than January 1, 2006, the department shall implement a voluntary biometric matching system for driver's licenses and identicards.

(2) The biometric matching system selected by the department shall be capable of highly accurate matching, and shall be compliant with biometric standards established by the American association of motor vehicle administrators.

(3) Upon the establishment of a biometric driver's license and identicard system as described in this section, the department shall allow every person applying for an original, renewal, or duplicate driver's license or identicard to voluntarily submit a biometric identifier.

(4) The department may not disclose biometric information to the public or any governmental entity except when authorized by court order.

(5) If Senate Bill No. 5428 or House Bill No. 1681 is enacted into law, this provision does not apply when an applicant renews his or her driver's license or identicard by mail or electronic commerce.

Authorizes the department to charge an additional fee of no more than one dollar and fifty cents for every original, renewal, or duplicate driver's license or identicard issued by the department. This fee shall be used exclusively for expenses related to adding biometric security to the driver's license and identicard.