REAL ID Modernization Act

To modernize the REAL ID Act of 2005, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the REAL ID Modernization Act 2. REAL ID Act amendments (a) Definitions Section 201 of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109–13 49 U.S.C. 30301 (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking The term driver’s license (A) means ; and (B) by striking Code. (B) includes driver’s licenses stored or accessed via electronic means, such as mobile or digital driver’s licenses, which have been issued in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. ; and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking The term identification card (A) means ; and (B) by striking State. (B) includes identification cards stored or accessed via electronic means, such as mobile or digital identification cards, which have been issued in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. . (b) Minimum requirements for Federal recognition Section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109–13 49 U.S.C. 30301 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking , in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, (B) by adding at the end the following: (3) Limitation The presentation of a digital image of a driver’s license or identification card to an official of a Federal agency may not be construed to grant consent for such Federal agency— (A) to examine any data (other than the digital document being presented) contained on the personal electronic device on which the license or card is displayed; or (B) to otherwise search or seize such device. ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in the subsection header, by striking document driver’s license and identification card (B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , or as part of, features on (C) in paragraph (5), by inserting , which may be taken at the time the person applies for a driver’s license or identification card or may be a digital photograph of the person that is already on file with the State if the photograph was taken during the 6-year period preceding such application (D) in paragraph (6), by striking principle principal (E) in paragraph (8)— (i) by striking Physical security Security (ii) by striking document driver’s license or identification card (3) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking Proof of the The (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking Documentation showing the The (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Electronic presentation of identity and lawful status information A State may accept information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) through the use of electronic transmission methods if— (A) the Secretary issues regulations regarding such electronic transmission that— (i) describe the categories of information eligible for electronic transmission; and (ii) include measures— (I) to ensure the authenticity of the information transmitted; (II) to protect personally identifiable information; and (III) to detect and prevent identity fraud; and (B) the State certifies to the Department of Homeland Security that its use of such electronic methods complies with regulations issued by the Secretary. ; and (D) in paragraph (4)(A), as redesignated, by striking each document the information and documentation (4) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (7), by striking document materials and papers materials, records, and data (B) in paragraph (8), by striking security clearance requirements background checks (C) in paragraph (9), by striking fraudulent document recognition fraud detection and prevention (c) Permanent extension of grants to States Section 204(b) of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109–13 49 U.S.C. 30301 for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009 (d) Rulemaking procedure Section 205(a) of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109–13 49 U.S.C. 30301 (a) Procedure At the Secretary’s discretion, the promulgation of regulations and the administration of this title may be made without regard to— (1) chapter 35 Paperwork Reduction Act (2) the notice and comment and delayed effective date provisions under section 553 of title 5, United States Code. . (e) Notification of REAL ID Act of 2005 requirements The REAL ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109–13 49 U.S.C. 30301 208. Notification of requirements and deadlines During the 15-month period beginning 90 days before the date on which Federal agencies will no longer accept, for official purposes, driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not comply with the requirements under section 202, aircraft operators and third party reservation entities shall notify passengers, to the extent practicable, about the requirements and enforcement deadlines under this Act. . 3. Immediate burden reduction measures Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, a State does not need to require an applicant for a driver’s license or identification card to provide separate documentation of the applicant’s Social Security account number or address of principal residence in order to comply with section 201 of the REAL ID Act of 2005, as amended by section 2(a).

Summary: REAL ID Modernization Act This bill revises requirements for obtaining driver's licenses and personal identification cards under the REAL ID Act of 2005. Specifically, the bill permits electronic and mobile driver's licenses, allows electronic submission of required information, permits a digital photograph to be one that is already on file with the state if the photograph was taken during the six-year period preceding the application, repeals the authorization for the Department of Transportation to make grants to states for conforming with standards, requires aircraft operators and third party reservation entities to notify passengers about this bill's requirement, and eliminates documentation requirements for Social Security numbers and permanent addresses.