MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Kansas Bill Would Allow Digital Driver’s Licenses and IDs on Smartphones
TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow residents to carry a digital version of their driver’s license or state identification card on their smartphones.
Senate Bill 230 would authorize the Division of Vehicles within the Kansas Department of Revenue to establish, or contract for, an electronic credentialing system to issue optional digital driver’s licenses and digital ID cards. Under the bill, digital credentials would be supplemental to physical cards but would be required to be accepted anywhere a physical license or ID is used.
The bill would allow Kansans to store a secure version of their license or ID on a mobile device, similar to digital IDs already available on some smartphones, including Apple devices.
Key provisions of SB 230
- Digital licenses and IDs would be optional and issued for a $10 fee.
- The digital credentials must include secure authentication and verification, with rules and regulations adopted to ensure validity.
- All transmitted data would be required to be encrypted.
- The bill places limits on data use, prohibiting anyone who scans a digital credential from selling or sharing personal information without the holder’s consent. Exemptions are provided for banks, savings and loans, and trust companies.
- The Division of Vehicles could impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for unlawful sale or sharing of personal data.
The legislation also creates new criminal penalties related to fraud. Manufacturing false digital credentials would be classified as a Class B nonperson misdemeanor, while possessing false digital credentials would be a severity level 9 nonperson felony.
SB 230 would further extend the authority of the Division of Vehicles to oversee the issuance and administration of digital credentials, along with the electronic system required to support them. The bill also includes technical and conforming changes to existing law.
The legislation was introduced by Elaine Bowers of Concordia and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation for consideration.