HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 2607

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to assisting homeless individuals in obtaining Washington state identicards.

Brief Description: Assisting homeless individuals in obtaining Washington state identicards.

Sponsors: House Committee on Human Services & Early Learning (originally sponsored by Representatives Callan, Corry, Caldier, Eslick, Orwall, Entenman, Davis, Shewmake, Lekanoff, Thai, Chapman, Steele, Fey, Chopp, Robinson, Bergquist, Senn, Cody, Doglio, Goodman, Leavitt, Ramel, Santos, Ormsby, Pollet, Kloba and Macri).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Human Services & Early Learning: 1/24/20, 1/29/20 [DPS];

Transportation: 2/10/20, 2/11/20 [DPS (HSEL)].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/18/20, 87-11.

Passed Senate: 3/5/20, 48-1.

Passed Legislature.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Senn, Chair; Callan, Vice Chair; Frame, Vice Chair; Eslick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Corry, Goodman, Griffey, Kilduff, Lovick and Ortiz-Self.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Dent, Ranking Minority Member; McCaslin, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Klippert.

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Fey, Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Slatter, 2nd Vice Chair; Valdez, 2nd Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Young, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boehnke, Chambers, Chapman, Doglio, Duerr, Entenman, Eslick, Gregerson, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, Mead, Orcutt, Ortiz-Self, Paul, Ramos, Riccelli, Shewmake, Van Werven and Volz.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Dufault, Goehner and McCaslin.

Staff: Christine Thomas (786-7142).

Background:

Identicards.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues identification cards known as identicards. Identicards expire on the sixth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate after issuance, at which time they may be renewed. The DOL must issue an identicard to any applicant who:

• does not hold a valid Washington driver's license;

• proves his or her identity; and

• pays a $54 fee.

The cost for an identicard may be reduced to the cost of production if the applicant:

• receives public assistance grants;

• is under age 18 and does not have a permanent residence address; or

• is scheduled to be released from a juvenile rehabilitation institution, a community juvenile facility, or other juvenile rehabilitation facility, or has been released from such an institution or facility within 30 calendar days before the date of the application.

Proof of Identity.

Generally, to meet the proof of identity requirement when applying for an identicard, an applicant must display or provide the DOL with at least one of the following pieces of valid identifying documentation that contains the signature and photograph of the applicant:

• a valid or recently expired driver's license or instruction permit;

• a Washington state identicard or an identification card issued by another state;

• an identification card issued by the United States, a state, or an agency of either the United States or a state;

• a military identification card;

• a United States passport; or

• an Immigration and Naturalization Service form.

A minor applicant may prove his or her identity by providing an affidavit of the applicant's parent or guardian where the parent or guardian displays or provides at least one piece of identifying documentation along with additional documentation establishing the relationship between the parent or guardian and the applicant.

The DOL may request supplemental identifying documentation, or may undertake an investigation to verify the validity of any documentation presented, in order to ascertain identity.

An applicant who is unable to present the identifying documentation listed above may request that other identifying documentation be considered by the DOL in order to ascertain identity. The DOL may waive the requirement for a piece of valid identifying documentation listed above if the applicant presents sufficient valid supporting documents found by the DOL to clearly establish the identity of the applicant.

The DOL has found the following pieces of alternative documentation to be sufficient to clearly establish identity:

• a foreign country's passport, containing the signature and a photograph of the individual, that has with it a valid United States Immigration and Naturalization entry form;

• an enrollment card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe, containing the signature and a photograph of the individual, with one other supporting document;

• an identification card issued by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, containing the signature and a photograph of the individual, with one other supporting document;

• a written identification verification document completed by the Washington Department of Corrections; and

• a Washington city or county police employee identification card, containing the signature and a photograph of the individual, with one other supporting document.

If a licensing services representative assisting the applicant is unable to ascertain identity from the documents presented, the applicant must be referred to an in-office document reviewer for further assistance. The in-office document reviewer will evaluate the applicant's documentation in order to determine whether identity can be clearly established. If the in-office document review cannot clearly establish an applicant's identity, and if requested by an applicant, a senior technician for the region in which the applicant is making application will evaluate the applicant's documentation in order to determine whether identity can be clearly established. If requested by the applicant, the senior technician shall refer the applicant to the DOL headquarters staff for final determination whether identity can be clearly established.

To establish proof of identity and residency for foster youth seeking an identicard, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) may submit to the DOL:

• a written signed statement prepared on DCYF letterhead, verifying certain personal information about the youth including a statement that the youth is subject to a dependency court order; and

• a photograph of the youth.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Individuals without a permanent residence address up to age 25, instead of age 18, qualify for an identicard at the cost of production instead of $54.

The DCYF must assist licensed or contracted providers in following a process for submitting identicard application materials for individuals qualifying for a reduced cost identicard based on being under age 25 and not having a permanent residence address.

The DCYF must compile information received from the entities listed above and submit this information to the DOL.

The DOL must develop, in consultation with the DCYF, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs (OHY), other forms of identification that may be common for individuals qualifying for an identicard under age 25 that meet the alternative documentation requirements of the DOL.

The DOL must accept identicard materials directly from:

• individuals or entities licensed by the DCYF;

• individuals or entities contracted to provide services by the DCYF;

• individual schools or school districts; and

• individuals and entities contracted to provide services by the OHY.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Human Services & Early Learning):

(In support) This bill provides a pathway for individuals without housing to receive identification, which in turn is a pathway to receiving a place to live. The process for getting an identification is time consuming and expensive. By extending the actual cost identicard to homeless individuals up to age 25, the bill matches the ages of youth served by the OHY. Helping people receive an identification will assist youth in pursuing education, providing an identification when requested by law enforcement, and in receiving an enhanced identification, which will soon be a requirement for air travel. There is inconsistent treatment in the various DOL offices in response to individuals applying for identification cards, and this bill will lead to greater consistency.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Transportation):

(In support) A path is provided for homeless youth to obtain an identicard that is needed for education, transportation, housing, and general civility. The foster care and juvenile rehabilitation care systems provide avenues for youth to obtain identicards, but homeless youth struggle to secure identicards due to costs and access. Reducing barriers and extending the cost waiver to youth up to age 25 will enable homeless youth to obtain identicards. An identicard is the first step to ending homelessness, getting a job, securing shelter, accessing vital resources, and reuniting with family. Having an identicard is a privilege that should be more accessible to homeless youth.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (Human Services & Early Learning): Representative Callan, prime sponsor; and Liz Trautman, Avrey Tuttle, and Isaiah Wilson, The Mockingbird Society.

Persons Testifying (Transportation): Representative Callan, prime sponsor; and Liz Trautman and Rinn Cronin Kleinman, The Mockingbird Society.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Human Services & Early Learning): None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Transportation): None.