The bill H.351, introduced by Representative Headrick of Burlington, seeks to amend Vermont's laws concerning operators licenses, privilege cards, and nondriver identification cards. Key changes include extending the validity of these documents to eight years, implementing reduced fees for low-income individuals, and ensuring that identification cards reflect an individual's full legal name. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is also tasked with developing a plan to provide identification to unhoused individuals and conducting outreach to inform Vermonters about their rights and options regarding these documents.

Specific amendments include changing the expiration dates of licenses and identification cards to eight years after issuance, rather than on the holder's birthday. The bill allows individuals to exchange existing licenses or cards for the new eight-year versions by July 1, 2029, with fees based on the type of card. Additionally, the DMV is required to report on its ability to issue accurate identification and to create a public education campaign to raise awareness about the new provisions, including rights related to gender markers and fee waivers for low-income households. The bill also mandates the creation of educational materials in multiple languages and specifies that the provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 23-601, 23-603, 23-608, 23-115