H.R. 1457 — IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act

This section provides the short title of the Act as the “IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act.”

This section directs the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to produce, within 3 years of enactment, a federally issued identification card at no cost to applicants in the United States that meets standards set by the Task Force on Federal Identification Cards and may be used to satisfy identification requirements to the same extent as a State-issued driver’s license or identification card. The identification must include the individual’s full name, date of birth, gender designation (male, female, or X), photograph, unique identification number, issue date, and expiration date, and must incorporate physical security features and machine-readable identity information. It establishes a 10-year validity period, with special rules for individuals under 18 years old, whose identification expires when they turn 18, and for individuals who reach 65 years old or older during the validity period, whose identification remains valid through the end of the 10-year term without renewal. It requires applicants to be at least 14 years old and authorizes renewals without requiring documents containing personally identifiable information unless that information has changed since the most recent application. It also requires the Social Security Administration to launch a public education campaign at least 6 months before the identification becomes available and directs the Postmaster General, within 2 years of enactment, to create a Postal Service application process modeled on passport applications that allows in-person service with free photography, online applications, mailed paper applications at no cost, and delivery of approved identifications by mail or at a post office location.

This section establishes a Task Force on Federal Identification Cards to determine the requirements for producing and making available the identification described in section 2(a). The Task Force must have at least 9 members: the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration; at least 1 representative each from the Election Assistance Commission, the Domestic Policy Council, the United States Postal Service, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Veterans Affairs; and additional individuals with relevant expertise as appointed by the Commissioner in collaboration with the other representatives. The Task Force must make efforts to ensure that populations disproportionately affected by lack of access to identification are represented among any additional appointees. This section requires all appointments to be made not later than 8 months after enactment and provides that vacancies are filled in the same manner as original appointments. It prohibits full-time federal officers and employees from receiving additional pay, allowances, or benefits for Task Force service and authorizes travel expenses, including per diem, for other members under 5 U.S.C. chapter 57, subchapter I. It requires the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, representatives from the Election Assistance Commission, and representatives from the Domestic Policy Council to provide support staff, and, upon request, information, administrative services, and supplies that they jointly consider necessary for the Task Force to carry out its duties. It also exempts the Task Force from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). This section requires the Task Force to issue a report not later than 1 year after enactment on the requirements to produce and make available the identification described in section 2(a). The report must include a requirement that the Commissioner of Social Security and the Postmaster General establish procedures to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information obtained from individuals seeking assistance in obtaining the identification. It also requires the Task Force, not later than 1 year after enactment, to develop and publish voluntary best-practice recommendations for nonprofit organizations and other entities serving vulnerable populations, including recommendations for providing full service to individuals seeking the identification and for minimizing barriers to obtaining the documentation needed to secure it. The Task Force terminates when the identification is made available to individuals under section 2(a).

This section authorizes such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.