HLS 18RS-630 REENGROSSED
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 450
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
MTR VEHICLE/DRIVER LIC: Provides relative to the possession of driver's licenses and
special identification cards
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 32:401(introductory paragraph) and (14) and 411(F)(1) and
3 (3)(a) and R.S. 40:1321(B), relative to the possession of driver's licenses and special
4 identification cards; to authorize a digitized format of a driver's license and special
5 identification card that complies with the standards of REAL ID; to provide for the
6 issuance of a digitized special identification card; to establish a fee to install the
7 application to display a digitized driver's license; to provide for definitions; and to
8 provide for related matters.
9Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 32:401(introductory paragraph) and 14 and 411(F)(1) and (3)(a) are
11hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
12 §401. Definitions
13 The following words and phrases when used in this Chapter shall have the
14 meaning herein assigned to them in this Section unless the context clearly indicates
15 otherwise:
16 * * *
17 (14) "License" or "driver's license" means any license, which shall include
18 a license that complies with the standards of REAL ID as provided for in R.S.
19 32:410(E), secured from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, in
20 accordance with this Chapter to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this
21 state.
Page 1 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-630 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 450
1 * * *
2 §411. Deposit of license in lieu of security upon arrest; receipt; licensee to have
3 license or receipt in immediate possession; notification to vehicle owner;
4 surrender of license; issuance of temporary permits
5 * * *
6 F.(1) The licensee shall have his physical license, or a digitized driver's
7 license as provided in this Section, in his immediate possession at all times when
8 driving a motor vehicle and shall display it upon demand of any officer or agent of
9 the department or any police officer of the state, parish, or municipality, except that
10 where the licensee has previously deposited his license as provided in Subsection C
11 of this Section, and has received a receipt, as provided in Subsection D of this
12 Section, the licensee shall display the receipt upon demand of any officer or agent
13 of the department or any police officer of the state, parish, or municipality, the same
14 to serve as a substitute for the license until the license is returned to the licensee.
15 However, when an officer or agent of the department or any police officer of the
16 state, or any parish or municipality has reasonable grounds to believe a person has
17 committed an offense of driving without a valid driver's license in his possession, the
18 police officer shall make every practical attempt based on identifying information
19 provided by the person to confirm that the person has been issued a valid driver's
20 license. If the police officer determines that the person has been issued a valid
21 driver's license that is not under revocation, suspension, or cancellation, but that the
22 license is not in his possession, the peace officer shall issue a written summons to the
23 offender in accordance with law, commanding him to appear and answer the charge.
24 * * *
25 (3)(a) For the purposes of this Subsection, a digitized driver's license, which
26 shall include a license that complies with the standards of REAL ID as provided for
27 in R.S. 32:410(E), shall mean a data file available on any mobile device which has
28 connectivity to the internet through an application that allows the mobile device to
29 download the data file from the department or an authorized representative of the
Page 2 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-630 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 450
1 department, contains all of the data elements visible on the face and back of the
2 license, and also displays the current status of the license. For the purposes of this
3 Subparagraph, "current status" shall include but is not limited to valid, expired,
4 cancelled, suspended, disqualified, hardship, or interlock hardship status.
5 * * *
6 Section 2. R.S. 40:1321(B) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 §1321. Special identification cards; issuance; veteran designation; disabled veteran
8 designation; university logo; "I'm a Cajun" designation; needs
9 accommodation designation; fees; expiration and renewal; exceptions;
10 promulgation of rules; promotion of use; persons less than twenty-one years
11 of age; the Protect and Save our Children Program; Selective Service
12 Registration
13 * * *
14 B.(1) Each special identification card shall be accepted as valid identification
15 of the person to whom it was issued when it is presented physically or in the form
16 of a digitized special identification card for the purpose of furnishing proof of that
17 person's identification. Under no circumstances shall the state of Louisiana, or any
18 of its agencies, be held liable in any manner legally or otherwise as a result of the use
19 or misuse of a special identification card.
20 (2)(a) For purposes of this Subsection, a digitized special identification card
21 shall mean a data file available on any mobile device which has connectivity to the
22 internet through an application that allows the mobile device to download the data
23 file from the department or an authorized representative of the department and
24 contains all of the data elements visible on the face and back of the special
25 identification card, displays the current status of the identification card, and shall
26 include any special identification card that complies with the standards of REAL ID
27 as provided for in Subsection P of this Section. For purposes of this Subparagraph,
28 "current status" shall include but is not limited to valid, expired, or cancelled.
Page 3 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-630 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 450
1 (b) A digital copy, photograph, or image of a special identification card
2 which is not downloaded through the application on a mobile device shall not be
3 considered a valid digitized special identification card as provided by this
4 Subsection.
5 (c) In connection with requests for identification not associated with traffic
6 stops or checkpoints in Louisiana, a person may be required to produce a physical
7 special identification card to a law enforcement officer, a representative of a state or
8 federal department or agency, or a private entity when so requested and be subject
9 to all the applicable laws and consequences for failure to produce such identification
10 card.
11 (d) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall promulgate such
12 rules as are necessary to implement a digitized special identification card. No
13 digitized special identification card shall be valid until the department has adopted
14 such rules.
15 (e) The display of a digitized special identification card shall not serve as
16 consent or authorization for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to search,
17 view, or access any other data or application on the mobile device. If a person
18 presents their mobile device to a law enforcement officer for purposes of displaying
19 their digitized special identification card, the law enforcement officer shall promptly
20 return the mobile device to the person once he has had an opportunity to verify the
21 identity of the person.
22 (f) The fee to install the application to display a digitized special
23 identification card as defined in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall not exceed
24 six dollars.
25 * * *
Page 4 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-630 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 450
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 450 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session James
Abstract: Clarifies requirements for digitized driver's licenses and establishes digitized
special identification cards.
Present law defines "license" or "driver's license" as any license secured from the Dept. of
Public Safety and Corrections, in accordance with present law to operate a motor vehicle on
the highways of this state.
Proposed law modifies the definition of "license" and "driver's license" to include a license
that complies with the standards of REAL ID as outlined in present law.
Present law requires a licensee have his license, or a digitized driver's license in his
immediate possession at all times when driving a motor vehicle.
Proposed law clarifies that the licensee must have his physical license or digitized driver's
license in his immediate possession at all times when driving a motor vehicle.
Present law defines "digitized drivers license" as a data file available on any mobile device
which has connectivity to the internet through an application that allows the mobile device
to download the data file from the department or an authorized representative of the
department, contains all of the data elements visible on the face and back of the license, and
also displays the current status of the license.
Proposed law clarifies that the term "digitized driver's license" includes a license that
complies with the standards of REAL ID.
Present law authorizes the use of a special identification card as valid identification of a
person to whom it was issued when presented for the purpose of furnishing proof of
identification.
Proposed law maintains present law and specifies that the special identification card must
be accepted as valid identification of a person to whom it was issued when it is presented
physically or in the form of a digitized special identification card.
Proposed law defines a "digitized special identification card" as a data file available on any
mobile device which has connectivity to the internet through an application that allows the
mobile device to download the data file from the department or an authorized representative
of the department, contains all of the data elements visible on the face and back of the
license and includes any special identification card that complies with the standards of
REAL ID as outlined in present law.
Proposed law specifies that a digital copy, photograph, or image of a special identification
card that is not downloaded through the application on a mobile device will not be
considered a valid digitized special identification card.
Proposed law authorizes a law enforcement officer, a representative of a state or federal
department or agency, or a private entity to require a person to produce a physical special
identification card in connection with requests for identification not associated with traffic
stops or checkpoints.
Page 5 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-630 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 450
Proposed law requires the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections to promulgate rules as are
necessary to implement a digitized special identification card and specifies that no digitized
special identification card will be valid until such rules are adopted.
Proposed law specifies that display of a digitized special identification card does not serve
as consent or authorization for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to search,
view, or access any data or application on the mobile device and requires that a law
enforcement officer promptly return the mobile device to the person once he has had an
opportunity to verify the identity of the person.
Proposed law provides that the fee to install the application to display a digitized special
identification card cannot exceed $6.
(Amends R.S. 32:401(intro. para.) and (14), 411(F)(1) and (3)(a), and R.S. 40:1321(B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
Page 6 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.