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H 3725

An Act providing for mobile driver’s licenses in the commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jack Lewis

Massachusetts would require a parallel electronic/mobile driver’s license system alongside physical IDs, with privacy-focused standards and state-regulated issuance and verificatio

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 3725

Summary: H 3725 — An Act Providing for Mobile Driver’s Licenses in the Commonwealth

Purpose and intent
- Create and regulate an electronic/ mobile credential system that operates in addition to Massachusetts’ physical driver’s license or ID cards.
- Align with national and international standards (AAMVA Mobile Driver License Implementation Guidelines and ISO/IEC 18013-5) to enable secure display of credentials on mobile devices.
- Enhance credential accessibility while protecting privacy and data security.

Key provisions and changes
- Establishment of Electronic Credential System
- The Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) must establish an electronic credential system.
- Electronic credentials must be issued to all individuals eligible for a physical credential, in addition to the physical credential.
- Data elements for electronic credentials must match those used for the individual’s physical credential.
- Electronic credentials have a defined validity period set by the RMV.
- The RMV may contract with private entities and/or other governmental bodies to develop, maintain, or facilitate the issuance and verification of electronic credentials.

  • Standards, privacy, and data handling

    • Electronic credentials must comply with latest AAMVA standards.
    • System must comply with state and federal data security and privacy laws.
    • Verification must authenticate credentials per AAMVA standards; only necessary data elements may be requested.
    • Relying parties may only retain electronic credential data elements with explicit consent from the credential holder; users must be informed of use and retention periods.
    • System must maximize privacy, avoid unnecessary tracking, and restrict disclosure to what is required by law.

  • Use, display, and interactions with law enforcement

    • Credential holders must still carry their physical credential while operating a motor vehicle.
    • No requirement to display or relinquish possession of a mobile device for acceptance of an electronic credential.
    • Law enforcement may request the physical credential; provisioned device data should not be a substitute for surrender of the physical credential.
    • Display of an electronic credential does not authorize access to other data or applications on the device.
    • If a credential is presented to law enforcement, the device should be returned once identity is verified.
    • Immunity from liability for damage to the device, except in cases of willful misconduct, when a credential is presented to authorities.

  • Implementation and timelines

    • The RMV must promulgate rules to implement the section.
    • Regulations to implement the new system must be promulgated within 270 days after passage.
    • The act’s provisions take effect 270 days after passage.

Who is affected
- Credential holders (drivers and non-driver IDs) in Massachusetts, who would receive both physical and electronic credentials.
- RMV and state IT/registrar staff responsible for implementing and maintaining the electronic credential system.
- Relying parties (entities that verify credentials) and law enforcement, which interact with electronic credentials.
- Contractors and potential partner agencies involved in development, deployment, and verification of credentials.
- Other states or third parties via intergovernmental agreements when issuing/validating credentials.

Timeline and status
- Introduced: February 27, 2025.
- Referred to: House Committee on Transportation; Senate concurrence noted.
- Hearing: Scheduled for November 4, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Committee hearing in room A-2).
- Regulatory timelines: 270 days to promulgate implementing regulations; 270 days after passage for the act to take effect.

Sponsors
- Primary sponsor: Representative Jack Patrick Lewis (Framingham).

Notes
- Related Bill: HD 2307 (replaces prior draft).
- The bill envisions an interoperable, privacy-conscious framework for mobile driver’s licenses, maintaining physical credentials while enabling digital display under standardized security and privacy safeguards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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