Massachusetts Senate Approves Homeless ID Bill

BOSTON (AP) — A bill that would make it easier for homeless families and young people to obtain state identification cards is making its way through Beacon Hill.

On Thursday, the Massachusetts Senate approved a bill that would require the registrar of motor vehicles to come up with what supporters call a burden-free process for homeless individuals to obtain state IDs.

That process would be free of fees and would accept alternative forms of documentation to prove Massachusetts residency, including information from homeless service providers or other state agencies.

The specific kind of documentation would be left up to the registrar.

A study commissioned by the Office of Health and Human Services identified 3,789 unaccompanied homeless youth across the state in 2018.

The bill's sponsor, Democratic Sen. Harriette Chandler said IDs are essential for everything from opening a bank account and applying for a job to getting into stable housing and interacting with police.

A second bill approved Thursday by the Senate would change the name of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission to the Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities.

Supporters said the bill also enables the commission to streamline its operations and increase protections for persons with disabilities.

Both bills now head to the Massachusetts House.