BILL REQ. #:  S-0208.1 

Read first time 01/14/13.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to verifying lawful status of individuals upon obtaining or renewing their state-issued drivers' licenses or related 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) Beginning August 1, 2013, any person obtaining or renewing his or her driver's license, driver's instruction permit, agricultural driving permit, identicard, intermediate license, or commercial driver's license shall show proof of his or her United States citizenship or his or her lawful presence within the United States. An original or renewal application must not be granted to any person who does not provide verified proof of his or her United States citizenship or his or her lawful presence within the United States. A person who is a citizen or national of the United States, or who is a legal permanent resident alien, must not be required to provide proof under this subsection, so long as the department has a record of the person's status in compliance with subsection (4) of this section.
     (2) A person may prove his or her citizenship by providing a valid, unexpired United States passport or passport card, a certified copy of a birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad issued by the United States department of state, a certificate of naturalization issued by the department of homeland security, or a certificate of citizenship.
     (3) A person may prove his or her lawful presence within the United States by providing documentation that he or she is an alien:
     (a) Lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States;
     (b) With conditional permanent resident status in the United States;
     (c) Who has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered into the United States in refugee status;
     (d) Who has a valid nonimmigrant status in the United States;
     (e) Who has a pending application for asylum in the United States;
     (f) Who has a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
     (g) Who has approved deferred action status; or
     (h) Who has a pending application for lawful permanent residence or conditional permanent resident status.
     (4) The department shall maintain records of an applicant's status as a United States citizen or as a noncitizen, including the type of document provided and the expiration of the applicant's authorization to lawfully be within the United States. The department shall make such records available to the secretary of state and state and local criminal justice agencies.
     (5) The department shall verify the status of an applicant through either the systematic alien verification for entitlements program or through verification of the applicant's social security number with the United States social security administration.