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Bill

HB 239

Driver's license; prescribe information to be included on and authorize discretionary inclusion of blood type.

2025 Regular Session

Mississippi bill to include blood type information on driver's licenses, either mandatorily or at driver discretion, died in Transportation Committee.

Died In Committee
#transportation
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Bill Summary · HB 239

Legislative bill overview

HB 239 would require Mississippi driver's licenses to include specific information and allow for discretionary inclusion of the cardholder's blood type. The bill was introduced in the 2025 legislative session but died in the Transportation Committee without advancing to a vote.

Why is this important

Blood type information on driver's licenses could expedite emergency medical treatment in accidents by providing first responders immediate access to this critical health data without needing to contact medical records. However, it also raises questions about medical privacy, data security on a widely-distributed ID document, and whether voluntary versus mandatory inclusion creates practical implementation challenges.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical privacy concerns: Blood type is health information; printing it on a document carried daily and presented frequently could expose sensitive medical data and create security risks if licenses are lost or stolen
  • Practical emergency response questions: Whether first responders would reliably check driver's licenses for blood type, and whether it could conflict with established emergency protocols that use other verification methods
  • Voluntary versus mandatory inclusion: Unclear whether blood type would be optional (requiring driver choice and potentially complicating production) or required of all applicants, which raises consent issues

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

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