The proposed bill introduces the "State Identification Cards for Minors Without Residence Act," which allows minors aged 14 to 17 who are Rhode Island residents without a permanent residence or are in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to obtain a state identification card from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) without incurring any licensing fees. The DMV will accept various forms of identification, including signed letters from the DCYF administrator or shelter administrators, and documentation such as birth certificates, social security cards, passports, or driver's licenses. Additionally, minors residing in a shelter with a parental guardian for at least 30 days can apply for the identification card with a letter from the shelter administrator attesting to their occupancy.

The bill also amends existing laws regarding vital records, allowing minors aged 16 and older who either do not have a residence address or are in DCYF custody to receive a certified copy of their birth registration without needing a parent's, guardian's, or foster parent's signature. It specifies that individuals in this situation will not be charged a fee by the state registrar for obtaining this certified copy. The act is set to take effect upon passage, aiming to facilitate access to identification for vulnerable minors in Rhode Island.