« Ind. Courts - "Delays hurt plan to link state courts: Millions spent, progress scant, and legislators growing weary" | Main | Courts - Impact of the crime lab testimony decision [Updated] »
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Ind. Gov't. - "BMV headaches ahead"
On July 9 this ILB posted this story on new requirements for those obtaining or renewing their driver's licenses beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
A lengthy editorial today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette points out just how onorous those requirements are. For instance:
Anyone whose name has changed from his or her birth certificate (married women, for example) must present proof of the name change. Someone who has changed names multiple times, through marriage and divorce, must show proof of each name change. * * *A side-bar sets out the requirements:Teen drivers or anyone who doesn’t receive bank statements or utility bills listing their own name and current address will need to be accompanied by someone older than 18 – with proper ID and residency documentation – who can sign a residency affidavit for the driver’s license applicant.
Identity sourceThe editorial concludes:Original or certified copy (1):
• U.S. birth certificate
• United States passport
• Foreign passport with a VISA and I-94 form
• Consular report of birth abroad
Social Security number
Provide 1
• Social Security number, original or certified copy (1)
• Social Security card
• W-2 form
• SSA-1099 form
• Non-SSA-1099 form
• Pay stub with name and Social Security number on it
• Social Security Administration documents establishing that you are ineligible for a Social Security number
Lawful status document
Original or certified copy (1):
• U.S. birth certificate
• U.S. passport
• Foreign passport with a VISA and I-94 form
• Consular report of birth abroad
Indiana residency documents
Provide 2:
• Computer-generated bill from a utility company, credit card company, doctor or hospital, issued within 60 days of the date you visit a license branch and containing your name and address of residence
• Bank statement
• Preprinted pay stub
• Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement
Change documents
If your legal name, date of birth or gender is different from information on a source document proving identity, you must present additional source documents showing the change. Acceptable source documents supporting a change include:
• Marriage license
• Divorce decree
• Court order approving a change of legal name or date of birth
Well-intended state and federal officials have been pushed by a security industry intent on selling its high-tech identity solutions.See also this June 14th ILB entry headed: "Obama Administration Plans to Scale Back Real ID Law".Indiana is among the states that have signed lucrative contracts with the out-of-state corporations, some of which have held conferences to coach BMV officials on how to convince lawmakers that tougher requirements are needed.
In other states, elected officials have objected to the costly and onerous demands made by the Real ID Act, which required states to issue a federally approved driver’s license that would become part of a national database and would be necessary for airline travel.
Groups as diverse as the American Civil Liberties Union and Gun Owners of America opposed the law, criticizing it as an attack on privacy rights.
The Obama administration is working to repeal and replace it with a cheaper, less-rigorous law – Pass ID – with state costs offset by federal grants.
Indiana officials, however, note that the state’s SecureID program “will exceed the security requirements” of the proposed federal law.
Indiana residents should ask whether the risks of identity theft and security breaches are truly great enough to justify the cost of identification procedures beyond those required elsewhere or, at the very least, be prepared for the inevitable BMV troubles ahead.
[More] The Journal Gazette also has a story today by Niki Kelly, headed "Driver’s license rule draws critics: Democrats, AARP fear ID verification burdensome." Some quotes:
INDIANAPOLIS – A move to make Indiana driver's licenses and IDs more secure will have an effect on more than driving: It delays a legislative shift toward online renewals and complicates Indiana's strict voter ID law.Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Andy Miller announced SecureID last week as a program to combat identity theft and comply with federal regulations passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. * * *
Essentially these requirements have already been on the books for those getting IDs or driver's licenses but now will affect all Hoosiers renewing or amending their licenses.
The Indiana Democratic Party is especially concerned that the new documentation requirements provide another voting barrier for Hoosiers.
Indiana voters must show state or federally issued photo IDs to vote - one of the strictest laws in the nation. * * *
The AARP expressed concern about the identity verification requirements, saying the new regulations would disproportionately affect older, poorer and minority Hoosiers.
In the past, the BMV was required to be open on the day of an election to provide IDs and licenses needed to vote. But now the permanent cards won't be available until they are mailed later.
The Republican and Democratic co-directors of the Indiana Election Division said in a memo that the interim paper document the BMV will give Hoosiers will suffice as ID for voting purposes.
Miller said "cheat sheets" will be provided to election workers to educate them about the changes.
He does concede, though, that the new program will slow down the effect of a law passed this year by legislators allowing for online driver's license renewals.
While the BMV will pass rules to allow for online renewal, the practical effect is that Hoosiers won't be able to use the option for several years because their next renewal will require a trip to the BMV with the necessary documents in tow.
"We talked about that during the legislative session," Miller said. "But once folks are documented, it's an option for the future."
Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 15, 2009 06:41 AM
Posted to Indiana Government