The latest on REAL ID.

AuthorRamsdell, Molly
PositionTRENDS & TRANSITIONS

Pennsylvania in May joined 16 other states that passed laws opposing compliance with the federal REAL ID Act. The law also authorizes the governor and attorney general to file an action in court to challenge the constitutionality or legality of the federal law.

The 2005-enacated REAL ID Act (P.L. 109-13) requires states to adopt federal standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. These standards require states to: apply physical security features to a card; accept only certain documents to confirm an applicant's identity and verify the validity of those documents; conduct background checks for some motor vehicle department employees; and install certain security features at motor vehicle facilities.

The regulations require states and territories to submit certification materials by Oct. 15, 2012--at least 90 days before the effective date of compliance, which is Jan. 15, 2013. Residents from non-compliant states will not be able to use their state issued driver's licenses or identification cards for certain federal purposes, including boarding commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities or entering nuclear power plants. The department has no plans to extend the January 2013 deadline, reported an official from the Department of Homeland Security...

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