HF 241

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:35am

A bill for an act
relating to drivers' licenses; modifying requirements for photograph on a driver's
license or Minnesota identification card; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008,
sections 171.07, subdivisions 1, 3; 171.071, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

License; contents.

(a) Upon the payment of the required fee, the
department shall issue to every qualifying applicant a license designating the type or class
of vehicles the applicant is authorized to drive as applied for. This license must bear a
distinguishing number assigned to the licensee; the licensee's full name and date of birth;
either (1) the licensee's residence address, or (2) the designated address under section
5B.05; a description of the licensee in a manner as the commissioner deems necessary; and
the usual signature of the licensee. No license is valid unless it bears the usual signature of
the licensee. Every license must bear a colored photograph or an electronically produced
image new text begin that shows the full head and face new text end of the licensee.

(b) If the United States Postal Service will not deliver mail to the applicant's
residence address as listed on the license, then the applicant shall provide verification from
the United States Postal Service that mail will not be delivered to the applicant's residence
address and that mail will be delivered to a specified alternate mailing address. When an
applicant provides an alternate mailing address under this subdivision, the commissioner
shall use the alternate mailing address in lieu of the applicant's residence address for
all notices and mailings to the applicant.

(c) Every license issued to an applicant under the age of 21 must be of a
distinguishing color and plainly marked "Under-21."

(d) The department shall use processes in issuing a license that prohibit, as nearly as
possible, the ability to alter or reproduce a license, or prohibit the ability to superimpose a
photograph or electronically produced image on a license, without ready detection.

(e) A license issued to an applicant age 65 or over must be plainly marked "senior" if
requested by the applicant.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Identification card; fee.

(a) Upon payment of the required fee, the
department shall issue to every qualifying applicant a Minnesota identification card. The
department may not issue a Minnesota identification card to an individual who has a
driver's license, other than a limited license. The card must bear a distinguishing number
assigned to the applicant; a colored photograph or an electronically produced image new text begin that
shows the full head and face new text end of the applicant; the applicant's full name and date of birth;
either (1) the licensee's residence address, or (2) the designated address under section
5B.05; a description of the applicant in the manner as the commissioner deems necessary;
and the usual signature of the applicant.

(b) If the United States Postal Service will not deliver mail to the applicant's
residence address as listed on the Minnesota identification card, then the applicant shall
provide verification from the United States Postal Service that mail will not be delivered
to the applicant's residence address and that mail will be delivered to a specified alternate
mailing address. When an applicant provides an alternate mailing address under this
subdivision, the commissioner shall use the alternate mailing address in lieu of the
applicant's residence address for all notices and mailings to the applicant.

(c) Each identification card issued to an applicant under the age of 21 must be of a
distinguishing color and plainly marked "Under-21."

(d) Each Minnesota identification card must be plainly marked "Minnesota
identification card - not a driver's license."

(e) The fee for a Minnesota identification card is 50 cents when issued to a person
who is developmentally disabled, as defined in section 252A.02, subdivision 2; a
physically disabled person, as defined in section 169.345, subdivision 2; or, a person with
mental illness, as described in section 245.462, subdivision 20, paragraph (c).

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.071, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Certain head wear permitted.

new text begin Notwithstanding the provisions of section
171.07, new text end if new text begin an applicant for a driver's license or identification card presents a physician's
statement affirming that new text end an accident involving a head injury, serious illness, or treatment of
the illness has resulted in hair loss by deleted text begin an deleted text end new text begin the new text end applicant deleted text begin for a driver's license or identification
card deleted text end , the commissioner shall permit the applicant to wear a hat or similar head wear in
the photograph or electronically produced image. The hat or head wear must be of an
appropriate size and type to allow identification of the holder of the license or card and
must not obscure the holder's new text begin forehead and new text end face.