What's happening
This bill allows individuals with federal deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status to obtain a New York driver's license without a Social Security number.
Why it matters
Expands access to driving privileges for DACA recipients. , which can improve their ability to work, attend school, and participate in daily life, especially for those living in areas with limited public transportation.
Recognizes federal DACA documentation as sufficient proof of identity. for a driver's license, reducing bureaucratic barriers and uncertainty for individuals who lack a Social Security number but are lawfully present.
Aligns state identification policies with federal immigration actions. , potentially offering a measure of stability and legitimacy to DACA recipients amid fluctuating federal policies, and signaling state-level support for this population.
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Who cares
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients
Federal documents showing favorable action on their acceptance into DACA would satisfy the bill’s proof-of-identity requirement for a driver’s license.
Federally authorized immigrants without Social Security numbers
Applicants ineligible for a Social Security number could receive an original driver’s license if they provide satisfactory proof of federally authorized presence and meet all other licensing qualifications.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
The agency would need to apply the new eligibility rule and accept qualifying federal DACA documents as proof of identity.
Headline styles
DACA Valid for Driver’s License
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3209
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to proof of identity requirements for the issuance of a driver's license
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 502-b to read as follows:
§ 502-b. Proof of identity; childhood arrivals program. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an applicant for a driver's license who provides satisfactory proof that his or her presence in the United States is authorized under federal law, but who is not eligible for a social security account number, is eligible to receive an original driver's license if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure.
2. Any federal document demonstrating favorable action by the federal government for acceptance of a person into the deferred action for childhood arrivals program shall satisfy the eligibility requirements of subdivision one of this section with respect to proof of identity.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06702-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.