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Committee lays over bill to allow medical head coverings in driver's license photos
Summary
Senate File 2161, introduced March 19, 2025 by Senator Howe, would permit people with medical conditions to keep permanent medical head coverings (such as beanies) in driver's license photos when accompanied by physician documentation; the committee laid the bill on the table to refine language distinguishing temporary and permanent conditions.
Senator Howe introduced Senate File 2161 on March 19, 2025, a constituent-driven measure to allow individuals with medical head coverings to keep those coverings on in driver's license photos when the covering is for a medical condition.
"This is in response to that," Senator Howe said, describing a constituent with brain cancer who was required to remove a medical beanie during a driver's license renewal photo. The bill would allow an applicant with a permanent medical condition to present a physician's card and not be required to remove a medical covering for the ID photo. For temporary conditions the bill as drafted requires additional documentation if the covering is later no longer needed.
Committee members expressed broad support for the measure as "common sense" and humane. Senator Jasinski and Senator Nelson both voiced support in committee. Staff raised a drafting issue that has arisen in prior bills: whether the language should explicitly exempt permanent conditions from repeated physician recertification instead of requiring renewed medical statements. Mr. Greenfield, committee staff, and other staff noted consistency with precedent from prior legislation (including discussion of Senate File 483) would be helpful.
Senator Howe said she interpreted the bill's current language as already distinguishing permanent from temporary conditions but indicated she would be willing to refine the language for clarity. Committee members agreed to hold the bill to allow sponsors and staff to prepare an amendment clarifying that permanent medical conditions need not require recurrent physician statements.
Action: The committee laid Senate File 2161 on the table for further drafting and possible future action.
