Bill Sponsors
Kallman, Ciccone, Acosta, Mack, Quezada, Vargas, Euer, Sosnowski, Urso, and Thompson
Committee
Senate Judiciary
Summary
Select
This legislation establishes a process for minors between the ages of 14 and 17 who are homeless or in the care of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to obtain a Rhode Island state identification card. It permits administrators from shelters or DCYF to provide written verification of residency for these minors. Furthermore, the bill allows youth aged 16 and older who are homeless or in state custody to obtain certified copies of their birth certificates without parental consent. All fees associated with these identification cards and birth records are waived for qualifying minors.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Eliminates financial and bureaucratic barriers for homeless and foster youth to obtain essential identification, directly supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community.
- Empowers minors in state custody or unstable housing situations to access vital records like birth certificates without relying on potentially absent, abusive, or uncooperative guardians.
- Promotes social equity by ensuring that a lack of a permanent address or funds does not prevent young people from accessing the documentation necessary for employment, education, and social services.
Cons for Progressives
- Restricts eligibility for accessing birth certificates without parental consent to those sixteen and older, potentially leaving younger vulnerable teens without access to their own vital records.
- Relies heavily on the discretion of shelter administrators or state officials to validate identity, which could still leave youth who are navigating homelessness outside of the formal shelter system without access to ID.
- Does not address the root causes of youth homelessness or provide housing guarantees, essentially functioning as a bureaucratic patch rather than a systemic solution to poverty and housing instability.
Pros for Conservatives
- Facilitates the ability for minors to obtain identification, which is a necessary step for obtaining legal employment and becoming self-sufficient, productive members of the economy.
- Ensures that identification issuance remains secure by requiring verification from authorized administrators (DCYF or shelters) rather than accepting undocumented self-attestation.
- Streamlines administrative processes for obtaining vital records, potentially reducing long-term dependency on state social workers to manage basic personal documentation for these minors.
Cons for Conservatives
- Erodes parental rights by allowing minors to obtain official government documents, including birth certificates, without the knowledge, consent, or signature of a parent or legal guardian.
- Waives fees for specific groups, shifting the financial burden of processing these documents onto taxpaying citizens and resulting in a loss of revenue for the state.
- Creates potential loopholes for identity fraud by allowing third-party shelter administrators to vouch for a minor's identity instead of requiring standard, rigorous proof of residency and guardianship.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Homeless Minors
- Foster Youth
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Shelter Administrators
- Department of Children Youth and Families
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/09/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER 10.5 STATE IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR MINORS WITHOUT RESIDENCE ACT
31-10.5-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "State Identification Cards For Minors Without Residence Act".
31-10.5-2. Minors without permanent residence.
(a) Minors between fourteen (14) and seventeen (17) years of age, that are Rhode Island residents without a permanent residence shall be eligible to receive a state identification card issued by the department of motor vehicles (DMV) pursuant to § 3-8-6.1.
(b) For issuance of state identification cards, the DMV shall accept the following as proof of identification:
(1) Minors in the care of the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) shall be eligible for a state identification card with a signed letter from the administrator of DCYF.
(2) Minors in the care of a shelter shall be eligible for a state identification card with a signed letter from the administrator of the shelter.
(3) Minors residing in a shelter with a parental guardian for at least thirty (30) days shall be eligible with a letter from the shelter administrator attesting to their occupancy in the shelter, the minor's birth certificate, social security card, passport or driver’s license. In the event a minor is residing in a shelter without a parental guardian due to unforeseen circumstances, the shelter administrator may represent the child as the legal guardian for the purposes of this section.
(c) Minors seeking state identification cards in accordance with this chapter shall be exempt from the licensing fees contained in § 3-8-6.1.
SECTION 2. Sections 23-3-24 and 23-3-25 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-3 entitled "Vital Records" are hereby amended to read as follows:
23-3-24. Copies of data from vital records.
In accordance with § 23-3-23 and the regulations adopted pursuant to that section:
(1) The state registrar of vital records shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the registrar’s custody or a part thereof. Each copy issued shall show the date of registration; and copies issued from records marked “delayed,” “amended,” or “court order” shall be similarly marked and show the effective date. Any copies issued of a “certificate of foreign birth” shall indicate this fact and show the actual place of birth.
(2) The local registrars shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the local registrar’s custody or to which the local registrar has access only in a form that shall be prescribed by the state director of health or the state archives under the control of the secretary of state, following transfer pursuant to § 23-3-5.1.
(3) A certified copy of a certificate or any part thereof, issued in accordance with subdivision (1) or (2) of this section, shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original, and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certificate, provided that the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a record that has been amended, or a “certificate of foreign birth,” shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.
(4) The National Office of Vital Statistics may be furnished copies or data that it may require for national statistics; provided, that the state shall be reimbursed for the cost of furnishing the data; and provided further, that the data shall not be used for other than statistical purposes by the National Office of Vital Records unless so authorized by the state registrar of vital records.
(5) Federal, state, local, and other public or private agencies may, upon request, be furnished copies or data for statistical purposes upon terms or conditions that may be prescribed by the state director of health.
(6) No person shall prepare or issue any certificate which purports to be an original certified copy, or copy of a certificate of birth, death, or fetal death, except as authorized in this chapter or LC003692 - Page 2 of 5 regulations adopted under this chapter.
(7) A child who is at least sixteen (16) years of age and who either does not have a residence address or is in the department of children, youth and family's custody may receive a certified copy of the child's certificate of birth registration without the signature of the child’s parent, guardian, or foster parent.
23-3-25. Fees for copies and searches
(a) The state registrar shall charge fees for searches and copies as follows:
(1) For a search of two (2) consecutive calendar years under one name and for issuance of a certified copy of a certificate of birth, fetal death, death, or marriage, or a certification of birth, or a certification that the record cannot be found, and each duplicate copy of a certificate or certification issued at the same time, the fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(2) For each additional calendar year search, if applied for at the same time or within three (3) months of the original request and if proof of payment for the basic search is submitted, the fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(3) For providing expedited service, the additional handling fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(4) For processing of adoptions, legitimations, or paternity determinations as specified in §§ 23-3-14 and 23-3-15, there shall be a fee as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(5) For making authorized corrections, alterations, and additions, the fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54; provided, no fee shall be collected for making authorized corrections or alterations and additions on records filed before one year of the date on which the event recorded has occurred.
(6) For examination of documentary proof and the filing of a delayed record, there is a fee as set forth in § 23-1-54; and there is an additional fee as set forth in § 23-1-54 for the issuance of a certified copy of a delayed record.
(b) Fees collected under this section by the state registrar shall be deposited in the general fund of this state, according to the procedures established by the state treasurer.
(c) The local registrar shall charge fees for searches and copies of records as follows:
(1) For a search of two (2) consecutive calendar years under one name and for issuance of a certified copy of a certificate of birth, fetal death, death, delayed birth, or marriage, or a certification of birth or a certification that the record cannot be found, the fee is twenty dollars ($20.00). For each duplicate copy of a certificate or certification issued at the same time, the fee is fifteen dollars ($15.00).
(2) For each additional calendar year search, if applied for at the same time or within three (3) months of the original request and if proof of payment for the basic search is submitted, the fee is two dollars ($2.00). LC003692 - Page 3 of 5
(d) Fees collected under this section by the local registrar shall be deposited in the city or town treasury according to the procedures established by the city or town treasurer except that six dollars ($6.00) of the certified copy fees shall be submitted to the state registrar for deposit in the general fund of this state.
(e) To acquire, maintain, and operate an electronic statewide registration system (ESRS), the state registrar shall assess a surcharge of no more than five dollars ($5.00) for a mail-in certified records request, no more than three dollars ($3.00) for each duplicate certified record, and no more than two dollars ($2.00) for a walk-in certified records request or a certified copy of a vital record requested for a local registrar. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d), any such surcharges collected by the local registrar shall be submitted to the state registrar. Any funds collected from the surcharges listed above shall be deposited as general revenues.
(f) An individual in accordance with § 23-3-24(7) shall not be charged a fee by the state registrar.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
31-10.5-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "State Identification Cards For Minors Without Residence Act".
31-10.5-2. Minors without permanent residence.
(a) Minors between fourteen (14) and seventeen (17) years of age, that are Rhode Island residents without a permanent residence shall be eligible to receive a state identification card issued by the department of motor vehicles (DMV) pursuant to § 3-8-6.1.
(b) For issuance of state identification cards, the DMV shall accept the following as proof of identification:
(1) Minors in the care of the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) shall be eligible for a state identification card with a signed letter from the administrator of DCYF.
(2) Minors in the care of a shelter shall be eligible for a state identification card with a signed letter from the administrator of the shelter.
(3) Minors residing in a shelter with a parental guardian for at least thirty (30) days shall be eligible with a letter from the shelter administrator attesting to their occupancy in the shelter, the minor's birth certificate, social security card, passport or driver’s license. In the event a minor is residing in a shelter without a parental guardian due to unforeseen circumstances, the shelter administrator may represent the child as the legal guardian for the purposes of this section.
(c) Minors seeking state identification cards in accordance with this chapter shall be exempt from the licensing fees contained in § 3-8-6.1.
SECTION 2. Sections 23-3-24 and 23-3-25 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-3 entitled "Vital Records" are hereby amended to read as follows:
23-3-24. Copies of data from vital records.
In accordance with § 23-3-23 and the regulations adopted pursuant to that section:
(1) The state registrar of vital records shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the registrar’s custody or a part thereof. Each copy issued shall show the date of registration; and copies issued from records marked “delayed,” “amended,” or “court order” shall be similarly marked and show the effective date. Any copies issued of a “certificate of foreign birth” shall indicate this fact and show the actual place of birth.
(2) The local registrars shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the local registrar’s custody or to which the local registrar has access only in a form that shall be prescribed by the state director of health or the state archives under the control of the secretary of state, following transfer pursuant to § 23-3-5.1.
(3) A certified copy of a certificate or any part thereof, issued in accordance with subdivision (1) or (2) of this section, shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original, and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certificate, provided that the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a record that has been amended, or a “certificate of foreign birth,” shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.
(4) The National Office of Vital Statistics may be furnished copies or data that it may require for national statistics; provided, that the state shall be reimbursed for the cost of furnishing the data; and provided further, that the data shall not be used for other than statistical purposes by the National Office of Vital Records unless so authorized by the state registrar of vital records.
(5) Federal, state, local, and other public or private agencies may, upon request, be furnished copies or data for statistical purposes upon terms or conditions that may be prescribed by the state director of health.
(6) No person shall prepare or issue any certificate which purports to be an original certified copy, or copy of a certificate of birth, death, or fetal death, except as authorized in this chapter or LC003692 - Page 2 of 5 regulations adopted under this chapter.
(7) A child who is at least sixteen (16) years of age and who either does not have a residence address or is in the department of children, youth and family's custody may receive a certified copy of the child's certificate of birth registration without the signature of the child’s parent, guardian, or foster parent.
23-3-25. Fees for copies and searches
(a) The state registrar shall charge fees for searches and copies as follows:
(1) For a search of two (2) consecutive calendar years under one name and for issuance of a certified copy of a certificate of birth, fetal death, death, or marriage, or a certification of birth, or a certification that the record cannot be found, and each duplicate copy of a certificate or certification issued at the same time, the fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(2) For each additional calendar year search, if applied for at the same time or within three (3) months of the original request and if proof of payment for the basic search is submitted, the fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(3) For providing expedited service, the additional handling fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(4) For processing of adoptions, legitimations, or paternity determinations as specified in §§ 23-3-14 and 23-3-15, there shall be a fee as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(5) For making authorized corrections, alterations, and additions, the fee is as set forth in § 23-1-54; provided, no fee shall be collected for making authorized corrections or alterations and additions on records filed before one year of the date on which the event recorded has occurred.
(6) For examination of documentary proof and the filing of a delayed record, there is a fee as set forth in § 23-1-54; and there is an additional fee as set forth in § 23-1-54 for the issuance of a certified copy of a delayed record.
(b) Fees collected under this section by the state registrar shall be deposited in the general fund of this state, according to the procedures established by the state treasurer.
(c) The local registrar shall charge fees for searches and copies of records as follows:
(1) For a search of two (2) consecutive calendar years under one name and for issuance of a certified copy of a certificate of birth, fetal death, death, delayed birth, or marriage, or a certification of birth or a certification that the record cannot be found, the fee is twenty dollars ($20.00). For each duplicate copy of a certificate or certification issued at the same time, the fee is fifteen dollars ($15.00).
(2) For each additional calendar year search, if applied for at the same time or within three (3) months of the original request and if proof of payment for the basic search is submitted, the fee is two dollars ($2.00). LC003692 - Page 3 of 5
(d) Fees collected under this section by the local registrar shall be deposited in the city or town treasury according to the procedures established by the city or town treasurer except that six dollars ($6.00) of the certified copy fees shall be submitted to the state registrar for deposit in the general fund of this state.
(e) To acquire, maintain, and operate an electronic statewide registration system (ESRS), the state registrar shall assess a surcharge of no more than five dollars ($5.00) for a mail-in certified records request, no more than three dollars ($3.00) for each duplicate certified record, and no more than two dollars ($2.00) for a walk-in certified records request or a certified copy of a vital record requested for a local registrar. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d), any such surcharges collected by the local registrar shall be submitted to the state registrar. Any funds collected from the surcharges listed above shall be deposited as general revenues.
(f) An individual in accordance with § 23-3-24(7) shall not be charged a fee by the state registrar.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.