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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 26, 2024 09:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ryan E. Mackenzie |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Protecting Pennsylvania's Roadways |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation invalidating classes of out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. As background, Florida recently enacted legislation invalidating types of driver’s licenses issued specifically to undocumented immigrants. Under this new law, such out-of-state driver’s licenses are not valid for operating a motor vehicle within that state, and operating a vehicle in that state with a class of driver’s license issued to an undocumented immigrant subjects the undocumented immigrant to penalties similar to operating a vehicle without a license. Additionally, the law required the online posting of classes of driver’s licenses no longer valid in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, two states issue special driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants: Connecticut and Delaware. Given Pennsylvania’s proximity to Delaware and Connecticut, I believe similar legislation is warranted in the Commonwealth. My legislation would invalidate classes of out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. PennDOT would be required to publicly post types of out-of-state undocumented immigrant driver’s licenses that are no longer valid in Pennsylvania. Finally, an undocumented immigrant who operates a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state driver’s license would be subject to the same penalties as driving without a license, including penalty enhancements for Vehicle Code violations such as homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle. Under current law in Pennsylvania, PennDOT may not issue a driver’s license to a person who is unable to prove lawful presence within the United States. Given that the Commonwealth already prohibits driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, we should make our law consistent and eliminate any loopholes that would jeopardize the safety of our roadways. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB2620
Memo Updated: September 26, 2024 09:48 AM