House Bill 903

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO ISSUE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO RETIRED PERSONS INDICATING THE RETIRED STATUS OF THE HOLDER THEREOF; TO PRESCRIBE FOR THE DESIGN AND FORM OF THE IDENTIFICATION CARD; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, TO PRESCRIBE THE INFORMATION TO BE PRESENTED UPON APPLICATION FOR THE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD; TO ESTABLISH THE FEE FOR ISSUANCE OF THE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO PRESCRIBE THE FORM OF LICENSE ISSUED TO LICENSEES WHO ARE RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. As used in this act, the term:

(a) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

(b) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.

(d) "Identification card for retired persons" means an identification card issued as provided in this act.

SECTION 2. (1) The Department of Public Safety is authorized to issue personal identification cards to retired persons who make application to the department in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner. The identification card for retired persons shall prominently display the Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS) symbol and, in addition to any other information required by this act, may contain a recent color photograph of the applicant and the following information:

(a) Full legal name;

(b) Address of residence;

(d) Date identification card was issued;

(e) Date identification card expires;

(f) Sex;

(g) Height;

(h) Weight;

(i) Eye color;

(j) Location where the identification card was issued;

(k) Signature of person identified or facsimile thereof;

(l) Fingerprint of person identified; and

(m) Any other information as required by the department.

(2) The identification card for retired persons shall bear the signatures of the commissioner and the Governor and shall bear an identification card number which shall not be the same as the applicant's social security number, unless the person specifically requests that the social security number be used.

SECTION 3. (1) The identification card for retired persons shall be issued for a period of four (4) years to any person with the requisite number of years of state services and who have ceased employment as a public employee, and shall be renewable on the applicant's birthday in the fourth year following the issuance. The identification cards shall be issued to retirees

upon presentation of documentation from PERS evidencing the individual's retirement from services, the length of service and the agency, department, municipality, county or political subdivision from which the person retired. This documentation shall not be required to be presented at each request for renewal.

(2) The face of the identification card for retired persons shall bear the word "RETIREE" with a box or blank space adjacent thereto.

(3) The department shall require an applicant for an identification card for retired persons to furnish a birth certificate or other verifiable evidence stating the applicant's birth date.

(4) The department shall collect a fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) for an identification card for retired persons, which fee shall be deposited in the State Treasury in the same manner as motor vehicle driver's license fees.

SECTION 4. Section 63-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-35. (1) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall prescribe the form of license issued pursuant to this article which shall, among other features, include a driver's license number assigned by the Department of Public Safety. A licensee shall list his social security number with the department which shall cross reference the social security number with the driver's license number for purposes of identification. Additionally, each license shall bear a full-face color photograph of the licensee in such form that the license and the photograph cannot be separated. The photograph shall be taken so that one (1) exposure will photograph the applicant and the application simultaneously on the same film. The department shall use a process in the issuance of a license with a color photograph that shall prevent as nearly as possible any alteration, counterfeiting, duplication, reproduction, forging or modification of the license or the superimposition of a photograph without ready detection. The photograph shall be replaced by the department at the time of renewal. Drivers' licenses, including photographs appearing thereon, may be renewed by electronic means according to rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner in conformity to Section 27-104-33.

(2) The commissioner shall prescribe the form of license issued pursuant to this article to licensees who are not United States citizens and who do not possess a social security number issued by the United States government. The license of such persons shall include a number and/or other identifying features.

(3) Any new, renewal or duplicate driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license or commercial driver's license issued to a person required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 45-33-25 shall bear a designation identifying the licensee or permittee as a sex offender.

(4) The commissioner is authorized to provide the new, renewal or duplicate driver's license, temporary driving permit, intermediate license or commercial driver's license to any honorably discharged veteran as defined in Title 38 of the United States Code, and such license or permit shall exhibit the letters "Vet" or any other mark identifying the person as a veteran. The veteran requesting the "Vet" designation shall present his DD-214 or equivalent document that includes a notation from the state Veterans Affairs Board that the applicant is a veteran.

(5) The commissioner is authorized to prescribe the form of license issued pursuant to this article to licensees who are retired public employees of the State of Mississippi. The license of such persons shall include the identifying features as a license issued under the provision of this article, except that the license shall prominently display the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS) symbol on its face, and shall include designation for such retirement status on the reverse of the license with other enumerated endorsements and restrictions.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.