ENROLLED ORIGINAL
AN ACT
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To amend the District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925 to provide that an electronic image of a
license, permit, or identification card that is displayed on a cellular telephone or other
portable electronic device in a manner approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles
may be presented in lieu of a physical license, permit, or identification card in the
District.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
act may be cited as the Electronic Proof of License, Permit, or Identification Card Amendment
Act of 2021.
Sec. 2. Section 7 of the District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925, effective March 3, 1925
(43 Stat. 1121; D.C. Official Code 501401.01), is amended by adding a new subsection (j) to
read as follows:
(j)(1) In any circumstance in which a license, permit, or identification card issued
pursuant to this act is required, an individual may present an electronic image of such license,
permit, or identification card issued pursuant to this act in a manner approved by the Department
of Motor Vehicles.
(2) This subsection shall not apply where a physical license, permit, or
identification card is required by federal law, rules, regulations, or policies.
(3)(A) The presentation of a license, permit or identification card on a cellular
telephone or other portable electronic device shall not constitute consent for a law enforcement
officer to access any other content on the cellular telephone or other portable electronic device.
(B) A law enforcement officer presented with an electronic image of a
license, permit, or identification card on a cellular telephone or other portable electronic device
shall be immune from liability for damage to or loss of the cellular telephone or other portable
electronic device; except, that no immunity shall extend to recklessness or intentional
misconduct.
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(4) For the purposes of this subsection, the term electronic image means an
electronic representation of a physical license, permit, or identification card issued pursuant to
this act..
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975,
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code 1-301.47a).
Sec. 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of
Columbia Register.
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Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
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Mayor
District of Columbia
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