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Committee reports bill to let PennDOT reuse recent photos, signatures for some drivers with disabilities
Summary
The House Transportation Committee voted to report House Bill 410, with an amendment that delays the bill's effective date; the measure would allow PennDOT to issue an ID or driver's license using the most recent photo and signature on file for qualifying individuals with disabilities and certain veterans.
The House Transportation Committee on a committee vote reported House Bill 410, which would allow PennDOT to issue a driver's license or ID using the most recent photo and signature already in PennDOT's records for certain people with disabilities and for veterans certified as 100% service-connected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Committee staffer Kyle summarized the bill for members, saying, “This bill allows individuals with disabilities who meet certain qualifications to request that PennDOT issue a driver's license or ID card using the most recent existing photo and signature available in PennDOT's records.” He added that PennDOT may refuse to use an existing photo or signature if none is available or if “material changes need to be made to the person's record, including but not limited to change of name or correction of information, such as height or eye color, which must be made in person.”
Representative Jennifer O'Meara, the bill's sponsor, told the committee she first began working on the measure in 2021 after hearing from constituents who benefited from an online renewal option introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I couldn't think of a good reason why we couldn't continue it for a very specific group of people,” O'Meara said, describing constituents who said online renewal reduced stress and difficulty for people with disabilities.
Chairman Nielsen offered Amendment A0032, which Kyle summarized as changing the bill's effective date from 28 months to 33 months at PennDOT's request; the amendment was agreed to by the prime sponsor. Representative Amara seconded the amendment. The committee adopted Amendment A0032 unanimously. The committee then unanimously reported House Bill 410 as amended. Kyle told members the bill passed the House last session by a vote of 161 to 41 and that PennDOT supports the bill as amended and has filed the effective-date amendment.
The bill would still require in-person transactions when a photograph or signature is not available or when records need a material correction. The committee record notes no known organized opposition to the bill. The committee did not set a final House vote date during the meeting.
