Processes for the issuance of certain credentials to individuals experiencing homelessness established.

A bill for an act

relating to state government; establishing processes for the issuance of certain

credentials to individuals experiencing homelessness; amending Minnesota Statutes

2024, sections 144.212, by adding subdivisions; 144.2255; 144.226, subdivision

8; 171.07, subdivision 3b.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.212, is amended by adding a subdivision

to read:

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Subd. 13.

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Homeless services provider.

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"Homeless services provider" means:

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(1) an employee of a government entity or nonprofit organization that operates a food

bank, a homeless shelter, a housing assistance program, an outreach or advocacy program

for individuals experiencing homelessness, or any similar program;

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(2) an employee of a human services agency or social services agency that provides

health services, behavioral health services, employment services, or public assistance services

to individuals experiencing homelessness;

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(3) a peace officer who regularly works with individuals experiencing homelessness;

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(4) a designated homeless student liaison described in United States Code, title 42,

section 11432;

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(5) a school counselor, school nurse, school social worker, or other school staff person

who provides services to individuals experiencing homelessness who are students; or

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(6) a social worker.

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Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.212, is amended by adding a subdivision to

read:

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Subd. 14.

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Individual experiencing homelessness.

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"Individual experiencing

homelessness" has the meaning given to homeless individual in United States Code, title

42, section 11302, paragraph (a).

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Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.2255, is amended to read:

144.2255 CERTIFIED BIRTH RECORD FOR
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HOMELESS YOUTH
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INDIVIDUAL

EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
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.

Subdivision 1.

Application; certified birth record.

A subject of a birth record who is
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a homeless youth
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an individual experiencing homelessness and is
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in Minnesota or another

state may apply to the state registrar or a local issuance office for a certified birth record

according to this section. The state registrar or local issuance office shall issue a certified

birth record or statement of no vital record found to a subject of a birth record who submits:

(1) a completed application signed by the subject of the birth record;

(2) a statement that the subject of the birth record is
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a homeless youth
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an individual

experiencing homelessness
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, signed by the subject of the birth record; and

(3) one of the following:

(i) a document of identity listed in Minnesota Rules, part
4601.2600
, subpart 8, or, at

the discretion of the state registrar or local issuance office, Minnesota Rules, part
4601.2600
,

subpart 9;

(ii) a statement that complies with Minnesota Rules, part
4601.2600
, subparts 6 and 7;

or

(iii) a statement verifying that the subject of the birth record is
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a homeless youth
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an

individual experiencing homelessness
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that complies with the requirements in subdivision

2 and is from
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an employee of a human services agency that receives public funding to

provide services to homeless youth, runaway youth, youth with mental illness, or youth

with substance use disorders; a school staff person who provides services to homeless youth;

or a school social worker
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a homeless services provider
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.

Subd. 2.

Statement verifying subject is
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a homeless youth
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an individual experiencing

homelessness
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.

A statement verifying that a subject of a birth record is
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a homeless youth
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an

individual experiencing homelessness
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must include:

(1) the following information regarding the individual providing the statement: first

name, middle name, if any, and last name; home or business address; telephone number, if

any; and email address, if any;

(2) the first name, middle name, if any, and last name of the subject of the birth record;

and

(3) a statement specifying the relationship of the individual providing the statement to

the subject of the birth record and verifying that the subject of the birth record is
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a homeless

youth
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an individual experiencing homelessness
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.

The individual providing the statement must also provide a copy of the individual's

employment identification.

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Subd. 3.

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Expiration; reissuance.

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If a subject of a birth record obtains a certified birth

record under this section using the statement specified in subdivision 1, clause (3), item

(iii), the certified birth record issued shall expire six months after the date of issuance. Upon

expiration of the certified birth record, the subject of the birth record may surrender the

expired birth record to the state registrar or a local issuance office and obtain another birth

record. Each certified birth record obtained under this subdivision shall expire six months

after the date of issuance. If the subject of the birth record does not surrender the expired

birth record, the subject may apply for a certified birth record using the process in subdivision

1.

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Subd. 4.

Data practices.

Data listed under subdivision 1, clauses (2) and (3), item (iii),

are private data on individuals.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.226, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

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Certain
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birth record fees waived for
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homeless youth
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individual experiencing

homelessness
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.

A subject of a birth record who is
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a homeless youth
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an individual experiencing

homelessness
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shall not be charged any of the fees specified in this section for
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a
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up to two
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certified birth
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record
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records
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or
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a
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statement of no vital record found under section
144.2255
.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

Subd. 3b.

Identification card for
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homeless youth
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individuals experiencing

homelessness
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.

(a)
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A homeless youth, as defined in section
256K.45, subdivision 1a
,
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For

purposes of this subdivision, "individual experiencing homelessness" has the meaning given

in section 144.212, subdivision 14.
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(b) An individual experiencing homelessness
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who meets the requirements of this

subdivision may obtain a noncompliant identification card, notwithstanding
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section
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sections
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171.06, subdivision 3
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, and 171.062
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.

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(b)
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(c)
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An applicant under this subdivision must:

(1) provide the applicant's full name, date of birth, and sex;

(2) provide the applicant's height in feet and inches, weight in pounds, and eye color;

(3) submit a certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a government bureau of vital

statistics or equivalent agency in the applicant's state of birth, which must bear the raised

or authorized seal of the issuing government entity; and

(4) submit a statement verifying that the applicant is
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a homeless youth
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an individual

experiencing homelessness
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who resides in Minnesota that is signed by
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:
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a homeless services

provider, as defined in section 144.212, subdivision 13.
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(i) an employee of a human services agency receiving public funding to provide services

to homeless youth, runaway youth, youth with mental illness, or youth with substance use

disorders; or

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(ii) staff at a school who provide services to homeless youth or a school social worker.

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(c)
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(d)
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For a noncompliant identification card under this subdivision:

(1) the commissioner must not impose a fee, surcharge, or filing fee under section
171.06
,

subdivision 2; and

(2) a driver's license agent must not impose a filing fee under section
171.061, subdivision

4.

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(d)
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(e)
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Minnesota Rules, parts
7410.0400
and
7410.0410
, or successor rules, do not

apply for an identification card under this subdivision.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective October 1, 2026.

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