This bill does the following:
1. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services to conduct an annual survey on how many persons 15 years of age or older and under 26 years of age who are in foster care or were formerly in foster care are eligible to obtain a driver's license, have obtained a driver's license, have completed a driver education course, have obtained a learner's permit or have obtained a state identification card. The survey must include how many persons 15 years of age or older and under 26 years of age who are in foster care or were formerly in foster care have completed required hours of driving under a learner's permit, have access to a motor vehicle and have motor vehicle insurance. The office is required to submit a report annually by January 15th to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters. The report must include the findings from the annual survey and an evaluation of the budgetary requirements of funding associated with these findings and provide an evaluation of the performance and outcomes of the programs;
2. It requires the office to establish a program to pay for the fees and costs incurred by a minor placed in the care of someone other than the minor's biological parents or a minor who is living independently of the minor's biological parents related to obtaining a license and motor vehicle insurance and additional costs related to obtaining a driver's license. The department may adopt rules to implement the provisions;
3. It directs the department to establish a program to ensure that any minor placed in the care of someone other than the minor's biological parents or a minor who is 15 years of age or older who is living independently of the minor's biological parents is provided the opportunity to obtain assistance in obtaining a driver's license or learner's permit or enrolling in a driver education course; skills training for safe driving; required hours of driving under a learner's permit; and information on how to obtain motor vehicle insurance. The department may adopt rules related to the program;
4. It provides that a licensed dealer is required to allow a minor who is at least 15 years and 6 months of age who had been placed in the care of someone other than the minor's biological parents or a minor who is living independently of the minor's biological parents who has a valid driver's license to contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle;
5. It directs the Secretary of State to waive all fees assessed by the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles related to obtaining a license for a person who has not attained 27 years of age and who is or has been placed in the care of someone other than the person's parents by the department;
6. It allows a minor who has no parent, guardian or spouse to have the minor's driver's license application signed by a lay caregiver of the minor who is 22 years of age or older, an employee designated by the office or the minor applicant if approved by the office;
7. It limits the liability of a person who lawfully signs an application for a minor who has no parent or guardian or spouse who has attained 18 years of age; and
8. It requires rating bureaus or independent insurers as recognized by the Superintendent of Insurance to allow certain minors who are driver education school graduates to obtain vehicle liability insurance with rights, privileges and benefits equal to those of an individual policy holder who is 19 years of age or older.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1712, HP 1101: 29-A.1302, 29-A.1354