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S 3153

Authorizes the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of optional mobile or digital alternatives to driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Cooney

The bill protects a child’s federal benefits from being used to offset state maintenance costs, while preserving SSI eligibility and creating safeguards like ABLE accounts and annu

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3153

Note: the descriptive title you provided (about a DMV pilot for mobile/digital IDs) does not match the text and supporting documents supplied. The documents below concern Senate Bill No. 3153 (1R) regarding federal benefits for children in out‑of‑home placements and limits on the Department of Children and Families’ use of those benefits. The summary below reflects the bill text and fiscal/committee materials provided.

S-3153 (1R) — Summary

Short title (in reprint): An Act concerning federal benefits for a child in out‑of‑home placement (CLEAR Act of 2025 in one version).

Purpose / Intent

To protect federal benefits and other property of children in the custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCF) from being used by the State to offset the costs of the child’s maintenance, while preserving the child’s eligibility for means‑tested federal programs (notably Supplemental Security Income, SSI).

Key provisions

  • Prohibits the Department of Children and Families from using any portion of a child’s property or federal benefits to offset State maintenance costs for that child, except as needed to:
    • Maintain the child’s eligibility for SSI, and
    • Avoid violating federal asset/resource limits that would jeopardize SSI eligibility.
  • When DCF is appointed representative payee for a child’s federal benefits:
    • DCF may use benefits for the child’s unmet needs beyond the State’s maintenance obligation, but must notify the child, the child’s parent, legal guardian, counsel, and the Family Part of the Chancery Division.
    • DCF must monitor federal asset/resource limits, and establish a qualified ABLE account or other trust account for every eligible child to conserve benefits without jeopardizing benefits eligibility.
    • DCF must provide an annual accounting of benefit use/conservation to the child and designated parties.
  • DCF must determine eligibility and apply for federal benefits for children who may qualify, with notice to designated parties.
  • Commissioner must apply for any federal waivers necessary to implement the law and to preserve federal reimbursement under Title IV‑E of the Social Security Act. Where necessary to preserve a child’s SSI eligibility, the bill requires DCF to forego claiming Title IV‑E maintenance payments for that child.
  • Rulemaking and an effective date: the Act takes effect on the first day of the 12th month after enactment; the Commissioner may take anticipatory administrative action.

Who is affected

  • Children under DCF/Division custody who receive or may be eligible for federal benefits (SSI, Social Security Title II, VA survivor benefits, Railroad Retirement, etc.).
  • Department of Children and Families (administrative duties, account management).
  • State fiscal picture due to interaction with federal Title IV‑E reimbursements.

Fiscal impact (OLS estimate)

  • Annual State revenue decrease: approximately $500,000 (reduced federal Title IV‑E reimbursement).
  • Annual State expenditure increase: approximately $170,000 (estimated cost to hire two staff for universal screening, account/monitoring, and management of ABLE/trust accounts).
  • Committee materials note DCF already has many similar practices in place, so operational disruption is expected to be limited.

Procedural status / timeline (selected)

  • Introduced in Senate: May 6, 2024.
  • Reported out of Senate committee with amendments: Oct 7, 2024; further committee action Dec 9, 2024.
  • Passed Senate: Dec 19, 2024 (38–0).
  • Received in Assembly and referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee: Dec 19, 2024; reported out by Assembly Appropriations: Mar 20, 2025.
  • As provided in your materials, later actions list referral to Transportation (Jan 23, 2025) and additional entries; check official legislative records for current status.

Sponsors and related measures

  • Sponsors (listed): Rick Scott (primary), Jeremy Cooney (primary).
  • Related/companion bills: A-4543, A-5720; prior-session measures A-8160, S-8208.

If you want, I can:
- Pull the most current bill status from the legislature’s website, or
- Produce a comparison table showing current DCF practice vs. new statutory requirements.

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

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