Bill Text: NJ S102 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes identification cards for persons without permanent residence.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S102 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S102-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator RONALD L. RICE
District 28 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes identification cards for persons without permanent residence.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act providing for the issuance of uniform identification cards for persons without a permanent residence and supplementing P.L.1985, c.48 (C.55:13C-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) a. As used in this act:
"Digital photograph" means a certified image of an applicant's face which can be verified and authenticated by electronic means.
"Applicant" or "card holder" means a person without a domicile who is unable to secure permanent and stable housing as determined by a homeless shelter that is subject to regulation by the Department of Community Affairs.
"Homeless shelter" means shelter for the homeless, pursuant to regulation promulgated by the Department of Community Affairs.
b. The governing body of a municipality in which a homeless shelter is located may establish, by ordinance, a program to issue identification cards developed pursuant to section 2 of P.L. c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to eligible applicants.
c. The ordinance shall set forth a process by which the governing body of the municipality shall work in coordination with participating homeless shelters to determine the eligibility of an applicant for an identification card. In addition, the ordinance shall establish an application process to be initiated by a participating homeless shelter and implemented by the municipality.
d. The identification card may be used by the card holder to receive services made available by the municipality which may include, but shall not be limited to, library card services provided by the municipality; access to municipal buildings or structures such as museums, housing projects, and municipal parks; and access to any other municipal service or program that the governing body deems appropriate. The identification card shall not be used for federal identification purposes.
2. a. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall develop a uniform identification card to be distributed by municipalities to eligible applicants pursuant to section 1 of P.L. c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The information on the card shall include a digitized color photograph of the applicant, the applicant's name, the name of the municipality and homeless shelter from which the applicant filed an application for the identification card, and such other information and encrypted data as the commissioner deems appropriate and necessary.
b. The commissioner, in consultation with the Superintendent of State Police, shall develop a database that contains information contained on the identification card which may be accessed in real-time by law enforcement officers.
3. The commissioner shall establish guidelines to effectuate the purposes of this act. Those guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the manner in which to notify municipalities that are eligible and entitled to distribute identification cards established under this act, as well as guidelines that municipalities and homeless shelters are required to adhere to when distributing identification cards.
4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill allows any municipality, in which a homeless shelter is located, to establish a program to issue identification cards to homeless persons. The bill provides that the card may be used by a homeless person to receive services by the municipality such as, library card services, access to museums, housing projects, municipal parks, and access to any other municipal service or program that the governing body of the municipality deems appropriate. The bill provides that the identification card would not be used for federal identification purposes.
Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to develop a uniform identification card to be distributed by municipalities that establish such a program. The card is to include a digitized color photograph of the card holder, the card holder's name, and the name of the municipality and homeless shelter from which the applicant filed an application for the identification card. The bill further provides that such information is to be maintained in a database made accessible to law enforcement officers.
