Bill to give driver’s license to homeless youth passes PA House

(WJET/WFXP)– A bill that would help Pennsylvania’s homeless youth trying to get an ID or driver’s license is headed to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 472 passed the PA House of Representatives this week with bipartisan support and would waive any fees that come with getting a driver’s license and ID for people under 18 marked as homeless.

“By waiving the license fee, we’re removing financial barriers to allow youth identified as homeless to get a license or ID card and use that to enroll or transfer schools, make doctor’s appointments, and enroll in food and housing assistance programs,” said State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro who sponsored the bill. “These are vital services that can help keep these youth connected to their schools and communities while their lives stabilize.”

Should the bill pass the Senate and be signed into law, it would also allow those children to use a shelter or school address as a temporary address for the license and let social workers, OCY caseworkers and teachers sign off on the paperwork.

Conversely, minors looking to get those fees waived would also have to be enrolled in some kind of education program. The bill passed by a 170-33 vote.