(1) Issuance. The department shall issue an identicard, containing a picture, if the applicant:

(a) Does not hold a valid Washington driver's license;

(b) Proves the applicant's identity as required by RCW 46.20.035; and

(c) Pays the required fee. Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, the fee is seventy-two dollars, unless an applicant is:

(i) A recipient of continuing public assistance grants under Title 74 RCW, who is referred in writing by the secretary of social and health services or by the secretary of children, youth, and families;

(ii) Under the age of twenty-five and does not have a permanent residence address as determined by the department by rule; or

(iii) An individual who is scheduled to be released from an institution as defined in RCW 13.40.020, a community facility as defined in RCW 72.05.020, or other juvenile rehabilitation facility operated by the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families; or an individual who has been released from such an institution or facility within thirty calendar days before the date of the application.

For those persons under (c)(i) through (iii) of this subsection, the fee must be the actual cost of production of the identicard.

(2)(a) Design and term. The identicard must:

(i) Be distinctly designed so that it will not be confused with the official driver's license; and

(ii) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, expire on the eighth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate after issuance.

(b) The identicard may include the person's status as a veteran, consistent with RCW 46.20.161(4).

(c) If applicable, the identicard may include a medical alert designation as provided in subsection (5) of this section.

(3) Renewal. An application for identicard renewal may be submitted by means of:

(a) Personal appearance before the department;

(b) Mail or electronic commerce, if permitted by rule of the department and if the applicant did not renew the identicard by mail or by electronic commerce when it last expired; or

(c) From January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024, electronic commerce, if permitted by rule of the department.

An identicard may not be renewed by mail or by electronic commerce unless the renewal issued by the department includes a photograph of the identicard holder.

(4) Cancellation. The department may cancel an identicard if the holder of the identicard used the card or allowed others to use the card in violation of RCW 46.20.0921.

(5) Any person may apply to the department to obtain a medical alert designation, a developmental disability designation, or a deafness designation on an identicard issued under this chapter by providing:

(a) Self-attestation that the individual:

(i) Has a medical condition that could affect communication or account for a health emergency;

(ii) Is deaf or hard of hearing; or

(iii) Has a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020;

(b) A statement from the person that they have voluntarily provided the self-attestation and other information verifying the condition; and

(c) For persons under eighteen years of age or who have a developmental disability, the signature of a parent or legal guardian.

(6) A self-attestation or data contained in a self-attestation provided under this section:

(a) Shall not be disclosed; and

(b) Is for the confidential use of the director, the chief of the Washington state patrol, and law enforcement and emergency medical service providers as designated by law.

(7) Alternative issuance/renewal/extension. The department may issue or renew an identicard for a period other than eight years, or may extend by mail or electronic commerce an identicard that has already been issued. The fee for an identicard issued or renewed for a period other than eight years, or that has been extended by mail or electronic commerce, is nine dollars for each year that the identicard is issued, renewed, or extended. The department must offer the option to issue or renew an identicard for six years in addition to the eight year issuance. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.

(8) Identicard photos must be updated in the same manner as driver's license photos under RCW 46.20.120(5).

Effective date—2021 c 158 ss 2 and 5-11: See note following RCW 46.20.049.

Finding—Intent—2021 c 158: See note following RCW 46.20.049.

Finding—2020 c 261: "The legislature finds that the health and safety of the traveling public, law enforcement, and emergency medical service providers are enhanced by the voluntary sharing of information about medical conditions, including deafness and developmental disabilities. Licensed drivers and applicants who wish to voluntarily include a medical alert designation on their driver's license may provide law enforcement and emergency medical service providers with the opportunity to know at the point of contact or shortly thereafter that there is a medical condition which could affect communication or account for a driver health emergency. By taking action in accordance with existing driver privacy protections, the legislature seeks to enhance health and public safety by the voluntary provision and careful use of this information." [ 2020 c 261 s 1.]

Effective date—2020 c 261: "This act takes effect January 1, 2022." [ 2020 c 261 s 4.]

Effective date—2018 c 157 s 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect January 1, 2019." [ 2018 c 157 s 3.]

Effective date—2017 c 122 s 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect August 30, 2017." [ 2017 c 122 s 4.]

Expiration date—2017 c 122 s 1: "Section 1 of this act expires August 30, 2017." [ 2017 c 122 s 3.]

Effective date—2014 c 185: See note following RCW 46.20.161.

Effective date—2012 c 80 ss 5-13: See note following RCW 46.20.055.

Effective date—2005 c 314 ss 101-107, 109, 303-309, and 401: See note following RCW 46.68.290.

Part headings not law—2005 c 314: See note following RCW 46.68.035.

Effective dates—2002 c 352: See note following RCW 46.09.410.

Intent—1999 c 6: See note following RCW 46.04.168.

Effective date—1985 ex.s. c 1: See note following RCW 46.20.070.

Purpose—1971 ex.s. c 65: "The efficient and effective operation and administration of state government affects the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state and it is the intent and purpose of this act to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the people by improving the operation and administration of state government." [ 1971 ex.s. c 65 s 2.]

Effective date—Purpose—1969 ex.s. c 155: See notes following RCW 46.20.118.

(1) Issuance. The department shall issue an identicard, containing a picture, if the applicant:

(a) Does not hold a valid Washington driver's license;

(b) Proves the applicant's identity as required by RCW 46.20.035; and

(c) Pays the required fee. Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, the fee is $72, unless an applicant is:

(i) A recipient of continuing public assistance grants under Title 74 RCW, or a participant in the Washington women, infants, and children program. Any applicant under this subsection must be verified by documentation sufficient to demonstrate eligibility;

(ii) Under the age of 25 and does not have a permanent residence address as determined by the department by rule; or

(iii) An individual who is scheduled to be released from an institution as defined in RCW 13.40.020, a community facility as defined in RCW 72.05.020, a correctional facility as defined in RCW 72.09.015, or other juvenile rehabilitation facility operated by the department of social and health services or the department of children, youth, and families; or an individual who has been released from such an institution or facility within 30 calendar days before the date of the application.

For those persons under (c)(i) through (iii) of this subsection, the fee must be the actual cost of production of the identicard.

(2)(a) Design and term. The identicard must:

(i) Be distinctly designed so that it will not be confused with the official driver's license; and

(ii) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, expire on the eighth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate after issuance.

(b) The identicard may include the person's status as a veteran, consistent with RCW 46.20.161(4).

(c) If applicable, the identicard may include a medical alert designation as provided in subsection (5) of this section.

(3) Renewal. An application for identicard renewal may be submitted by means of:

(a) Personal appearance before the department;

(b) Mail or electronic commerce, if permitted by rule of the department and if the applicant did not renew the identicard by mail or by electronic commerce when it last expired; or

(c) From January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024, electronic commerce, if permitted by rule of the department.

An identicard may not be renewed by mail or by electronic commerce unless the renewal issued by the department includes a photograph of the identicard holder.

(4) Cancellation. The department may cancel an identicard if the holder of the identicard used the card or allowed others to use the card in violation of RCW 46.20.0921.

(5) Any person may apply to the department to obtain a medical alert designation, a developmental disability designation, or a deafness designation on an identicard issued under this chapter by providing:

(a) Self-attestation that the individual:

(i) Has a medical condition that could affect communication or account for a health emergency;

(ii) Is deaf or hard of hearing; or

(iii) Has a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020;

(b) A statement from the person that they have voluntarily provided the self-attestation and other information verifying the condition; and

(c) For persons under 18 years of age or who have a developmental disability, the signature of a parent or legal guardian.

(6) A self-attestation or data contained in a self-attestation provided under this section:

(a) Shall not be disclosed; and

(b) Is for the confidential use of the director, the chief of the Washington state patrol, and law enforcement and emergency medical service providers as designated by law.

(7) Alternative issuance/renewal/extension. The department may issue or renew an identicard for a period other than eight years, or may extend by mail or electronic commerce an identicard that has already been issued. The fee for an identicard issued or renewed for a period other than eight years, or that has been extended by mail or electronic commerce, is $9 for each year that the identicard is issued, renewed, or extended. The department must offer the option to issue or renew an identicard for six years in addition to the eight year issuance. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.

(8) Identicard photos must be updated in the same manner as driver's license photos under RCW 46.20.120(5).

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2024 c 162 s 3 and by 2024 c 315 s 4, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Effective date—2024 c 315: See note following RCW 72.09.270.

Effective date—2024 c 162 ss 1-3: See note following RCW 46.20.075.

Effective date—2021 c 158 ss 2 and 5-11: See note following RCW 46.20.049.

Finding—Intent—2021 c 158: See note following RCW 46.20.049.

Finding—2020 c 261: "The legislature finds that the health and safety of the traveling public, law enforcement, and emergency medical service providers are enhanced by the voluntary sharing of information about medical conditions, including deafness and developmental disabilities. Licensed drivers and applicants who wish to voluntarily include a medical alert designation on their driver's license may provide law enforcement and emergency medical service providers with the opportunity to know at the point of contact or shortly thereafter that there is a medical condition which could affect communication or account for a driver health emergency. By taking action in accordance with existing driver privacy protections, the legislature seeks to enhance health and public safety by the voluntary provision and careful use of this information." [ 2020 c 261 s 1.]

Effective date—2020 c 261: "This act takes effect January 1, 2022." [ 2020 c 261 s 4.]

Effective date—2018 c 157 s 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect January 1, 2019." [ 2018 c 157 s 3.]

Effective date—2017 c 122 s 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect August 30, 2017." [ 2017 c 122 s 4.]

Expiration date—2017 c 122 s 1: "Section 1 of this act expires August 30, 2017." [ 2017 c 122 s 3.]

Effective date—2014 c 185: See note following RCW 46.20.161.

Effective date—2012 c 80 ss 5-13: See note following RCW 46.20.055.

Effective date—2005 c 314 ss 101-107, 109, 303-309, and 401: See note following RCW 46.68.290.

Part headings not law—2005 c 314: See note following RCW 46.68.035.

Effective dates—2002 c 352: See note following RCW 46.09.410.

Intent—1999 c 6: See note following RCW 46.04.168.

Effective date—1985 ex.s. c 1: See note following RCW 46.20.070.

Purpose—1971 ex.s. c 65: "The efficient and effective operation and administration of state government affects the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state and it is the intent and purpose of this act to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the people by improving the operation and administration of state government." [ 1971 ex.s. c 65 s 2.]

Effective date—Purpose—1969 ex.s. c 155: See notes following RCW 46.20.118.