BILL REQ. #:  H-3266.1 

Read first time 01/16/14.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to homeless identification; and adding a new section to chapter 46.20 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department must issue a temporary homeless identification card, containing a picture, fingerprint, current address, and signature of the applicant, if the applicant:
     (a) Does not have a valid Washington driver's license or identicard; and
     (b) Proves his or her identity and homeless status as provided in this section.
     (2) The temporary homeless identification card must be distinctly designed so that it will not be confused with an official Washington driver's license or identicard. The card expires one year after it is issued, except that the department may renew it for an additional six months upon a showing of the applicant's continued homeless status.
     (3) As proof of identity, the applicant must:
     (a) Meet the requirements under RCW 46.20.035, or provide the following:
     (i) A birth certificate;
     (ii) A social security number; and
     (iii) A fingerprint; and
     (b) Verify his or her status as a homeless person, as defined in RCW 43.185C.010, including:
     (i) A certification of temporary homeless status issued by the department of commerce; or
     (ii) A written declaration by a temporary housing or homeless service provider in the state, affirming:
     (A) The applicant's current homeless status;
     (B) The name and a brief physical description of the applicant; and
     (C) The provider's physical and mailing address to be used as the applicant's own address.
     (4) A person unable to provide a birth certificate or social security number as specified in subsection (3) of this section may request that the department review other available documentation in order to ascertain identity. The department may waive the birth certificate and social security number requirements if it finds that other documentation clearly establishes the identity of the applicant.
     (5) The department may cancel a temporary homeless identification card if:
     (a) The card is used in violation of RCW 46.20.0921; or
     (b) The department determines that the holder is no longer homeless.
     (6) If a temporary housing or homeless service provider determines that the holder is no longer homeless, it must notify the department and the department may cancel the temporary homeless identification card.
     (7) The department may not charge any fee to the applicant for issuing a temporary homeless identification card. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
     (8) A temporary homeless identification card is only valid as documentation for employment purposes and is not intended to be a valid state identification card for any other purpose or subject to compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005, P.L. 109-13.