Conn. Governor Rell Urges Passage of Measure Strengthening Driver's Licenses Issuing Process

Last Friday, Gov. M. Jodi Rell urged the Connecticut Senate transportation committee to move forward with legislation she proposed to strengthen and improve systems used to issue driver's licenses, motor vehicle registrations and identity cards in order to prevent fraud and abuse.

Robert Genuario, Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, and John Yacavone, Division Chief of Legal Services for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), were asked by Gov. Rell to testify at the committee's public hearing today in support of her bill, S.B. No. 1058.

In their testimony, Genuario and Yacavone were expected to stress the importance of making certain systems for issuing important documents at the DMV are safe, secure and reliable.

Gov. Rell said, "This bill make its clear that we are ready to use all available resources and the latest technology to carefully verify the identity of anyone who applies for a driver's license, motor vehicle registration or an identity card. These documents are used for identity and law enforcement purposes and it is critical we take all proper precautions in issuing them."

The specific provisions of the bill will:

• Toughen penalties for using false documents -- such as a birth certificate, passport or resident address verifications -- to obtain a driver's license, state identity card or vehicle registration. This crime would be classified as a Class D felony, punishable by a prison term of up to five years, a fine up to $5,000, or both. These penalties would also apply to anyone who solicits a DMV employee to obtain a state-issued credential under false pretenses.
  
  
• Require applicants for driver's licenses or identity cards to furnish their Social Security number.
  
  
• Authorize the DMV to verify Social Security numbers with the Social Security Administration, and refuse to issue, or to suspend or revoke a credential if the numbers do not match.
  
  
• Require that any driver's license, temporary license or identity card that is issued contain a photo of the person to whom it is granted.
  
  
• Authorize the Commissioner of DMV to suspend or revoke any credentials if there is reason to believe the individual is the holder of more than one driver's license or identity card.
  
  
• Permit the DMV to issue temporary driver's licenses or identity cards pending verification of an applicant's information.
  
  
• Require applicants for Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) to submit evidence that they are lawful Connecticut residents, and a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien or temporary resident alien authorized to work in this country for at least one year.
  
  
• Require the DMV to conduct a state and national criminal background check on any applicant offered agency employment.
  
  
• Authorize the DMV to issue licenses and identity documents to individuals who are not United States citizens and who are in the country for a limited duration only for the time period for which they can lawfully be in the country. If they are granted an extension for their stay, or obtain permanent resident status, these individuals will be eligible for a new licenses or identity cards with a new expiration date.

"The legislation I have proposed will reduce the potential for fraud or abuse when it comes to issuing important documents that can be used to verify personal identification. This is an era when strong action is warranted to protect the safety and security of everyone in our state. We simply can no longer accept outdated systems that can be easily abused. The world is too dangerous a place and we all fully understand that a fraudulent license or identification card in

• the wrong hands can play a part in creating a tragic situation," Rell said.
  
  In addition to S.B. No. 1058, Governor Rell has also proposed a capital budget expenditure of $10 million to upgrade DMV computer systems used to issue motor vehicle registrations. The upgrade will permit on-line data entry for the processing of new motor vehicle registrations. This will immediately put new registration information in the DMV computer network, where it will be available to law enforcement agencies, DMV branches and other state agencies. It currently takes up to 60 days for this information to be entered into the DMV system. The upgrade will also allow DMV to instantly issue a computer-generated registration form to vehicle owners. Under the current system a temporary form is issued that serves as the vehicle registration until it is renewed two years later.
  
  The Governor has also directed DMV to implement a comprehensive license-fraud prevention plan that includes the issuance of temporary licenses and identification cards while detailed background checks are completed and stronger measures are used to verify the identify of individuals before permanent documents are issued. Several of the components of S.B. No. 1058 will help with the implementation of this plan.