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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 14, 2022 02:22 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Carol Hill-Evans |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Exempting Duplicate Identification Card Fees for Homeless Pennsylvanians |
| Individuals experiencing homelessness face numerous challenges in their day-to-day lives. Often, the greatest obstacle they face to getting a job or help through a public assistance program is the inability to provide proof of identity. When someone experiencing homelessness came to my district office and we were unable to help secure a duplicate identification card, I was moved to introduce legislation to reduce the financial barriers for those experiencing homelessness to secure state issued identification cards. Currently, Pennsylvania law provides a fee exemption for an initial application for, or renewal of, a state issued identification card. My legislation would expand those exemptions to cover the cost of one duplicate card during the term of the identification card. When experiencing homelessness, there is a higher risk of critical identification documents going missing or becoming stolen. We should not further penalize already vulnerable people by levying additional fees and refusing to provide help outside of their identification card’s renewal timeframe. Making sure the residents of our state have the tools they need to provide for themselves and their families should be a top priority. For this reason, I ask that you please join me in expanding access to identification cards for people experiencing homelessness. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. |
Introduced as HB228