THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY FRANKEL, DERMODY, HANNA, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROWNLEE, CALTAGIRONE, DAVIDSON, DeLUCA, BARBIN, DONATUCCI, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GEORGE, GERBER, GOODMAN, BISHOP, HARKINS, JAMES, JOSEPHS, KORTZ, MANN, MUNDY, MURT, MYERS, NEILSON, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYTON, PRESTON, READSHAW, ROEBUCK, SANTONI, DEAN, STURLA, THOMAS, SCHMOTZER, WATERS, WHEATLEY, WILLIAMS AND YOUNGBLOOD, MAY 31, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MAY 31, 2012  

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled

"An act concerning elections, including general, municipal,

special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates,

primary and election expenses and election contests; creating

and defining membership of county boards of elections;

imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth,

courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners;

imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying,

revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and

repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to

elections," further providing for requirements relating to

voter identification.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 206 of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333,

No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, added March

14, 2012 (P.L.195, No.18), is amended to read:

Section 206.  Requirements Relating to Voter

Identification.--(a)  The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall

prepare and disseminate information to the public regarding the

proof of identification requirements established under sections

1210 and 1302.

(b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of 75 Pa.C.S. § 1510(b)

(relating to issuance and content of driver's license) to the

contrary, the Department of Transportation shall issue an

identification card described in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1510(b) at no cost

to any registered elector who has made application therefor and

has included with the completed application a statement signed

by the elector declaring under oath or affirmation that the

elector does not possess proof of identification as defined in

section 102(z.5)(2) and requires proof of identification for

voting purposes.

(c)  The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall prepare the form

of the statement described in subsection (b) and shall

distribute the form to the counties and the Department of

Transportation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Secretary

of Transportation and the county boards of election shall

disseminate information to the public regarding the availability

of identification cards under subsection (b).

(d)  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 807 of the act

of June 29, 1953 (P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics

Law of 1953, the Department of Health shall waive fees to obtain

birth certificates for individuals requiring the document to

obtain a State-issued identification card. The Department of

Health shall also reimburse citizens the cost of government fees

up to fifty dollars ($50) for obtaining a birth certificate from

other states for individuals requiring the document to obtain a

State-issued identification card.

(e)  The State shall put no limitations on the use of photo

identification cards obtained without cost for purposes of

voting.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.