New Jersey Assembly Bill A4688

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/12/24
• Refer: 9/12/24
• Report Pass: 6/16/25

Caption

Requires MVC to utilize legal name including roman numerals on certain documents issued by MVC.

Impact

Should A4688 be enacted, it would modify how state laws relate to identification requirements in New Jersey. The bill emphasizes that the MVC must accept names as they legally appear — including roman numerals — thereby ensuring that all individuals have the right to have their names accurately represented according to their legal definition. This change aims to promote inclusivity and accuracy in official documentation, allowing individuals to be properly identified according to their given legal names. It effectively replaces any conflicting laws regarding name representation on state-issued documents, aligning with the legal definition of names as recorded on birth certificates or per court orders.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4688 addresses the protocol for the display of legal names on various forms of identification issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). This bill mandates that individuals whose legal names include roman numerals are allowed to have their complete legal name, inclusive of the roman numeral, reflected on critical documents such as driver's licenses, identification cards, and permits. The intention is to standardize the representation of personal names on official documents, which is especially pertinent for individuals who have names that include roman numerals, which are often overlooked in existing regulations.

Contention

While the bill aims to address a significant issue for a subset of the population, there may be points of contention regarding its implementation and potential administrative burdens placed on the MVC. Detractors might argue that updating practices to accommodate names with roman numerals could complicate the existing system and lead to confusion among staff or other agencies dealing with these documents. Moreover, it raises broader discussions about the representation of names on official documents and the bureaucratic processes that individuals navigate when interacting with state agencies.