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Bill Summary · SB 419

Bill Summary: SB 419 (“Eric's ID Law”) — Georgia, 2025-26

Purpose and intent

  • The bill proposes a broad set of changes to address interactions with individuals who have disabilities, focusing on two main areas:
    • Enhanced training for peace officers on engaging with people who have non-apparent disabilities.
    • The creation and management of disability notations on driver’s licenses and state identification (ID) cards, including public education, privacy protections, and fee considerations.

Key provisions

  1. Training for peace officers (new Code § 35-8-28)

    • Beginning in 2027, all basic training courses for peace officers must include training on interactions with individuals with non-apparent disabilities.
    • The training must cover best practices for encounters with individuals who have a disability notation on a driver’s license or ID card.
    • The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (or equivalent entity) is tasked with developing and administering this training.

  2. Disability notation on licenses and IDs (new and revised provisions in Title 40)

    • Creation and management of a notation indicating non-apparent disabilities on driver’s licenses and state IDs, upon request.
    • Provisions for removal of such notations upon request. Privacy protections are emphasized, with limited disclosure, except under specific, enumerated circumstances (e.g., court order, criminal justice agency, licensing authority, written authorization, or child support matters).

  3. Driver’s license and ID card fee and issuance details (amendments to Title 40)

    • Revisions to the fee schedule for license applications, permits, renewals, and initial issuances, including commercial and noncommercial classifications.
    • Specific fee amounts are listed for various license classes and durations (e.g., five-year and eight-year terms; road test requirements; endorsements).
    • The Department may offer incentive discounts for renewals not requiring personal appearance.
    • No exceptions to standard license or permit fees apply beyond the stated allowances, with a cap on replacement fees related to disability notation changes (one free replacement per license period).

  4. Disability notation on licenses vs. IDs (new/adjusted definitions and processes)

    • Introduces a defined set of terms for disability, non-apparent disability, permanent vs. temporary disability, and related concepts in the disability article (Code § 40-5-170).
    • Identifies acceptable methods for displaying the disability notation or the international handicap symbol on licenses/IDs, subject to applicant documentation and procedures in § 40-5-38.

  5. Identification cards for persons with disabilities (Title 40)

    • For identification cards, non-apparent disabilities can be noted, with a process aligned to license notation provisions.
    • Department may display either the international symbol or the disability notation on IDs/ licenses, based on the applicant’s documentation and requests.

  6. Term and renewal for disability ID cards (Code § 40-5-172)

    • Identification cards for persons with disabilities issued for permanent disabilities are valid for eight years.
    • Renewals occur on the applicant’s birthday in the seventh year after issuance.
    • If the disability is not obvious, an up-to-date sworn affidavit from a physician may be required to attest to the permanent disability at renewal.

Affected parties

  • Individuals with non-apparent disabilities who may request a disability notation on their driver’s license or state ID.
  • Peace officers and law enforcement personnel, who would receive mandated training on interacting with individuals with non-apparent disabilities.
  • Georgia Department of Driver Services (or its successor), which would implement the notation system, manage requests/removals, and regulate related records and notifications.
  • The public, through outreach and education efforts about the availability of disability notations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective training requirement begins in calendar year 2027; by then, law enforcement basic training programs must include the new module.
  • The act contemplates a regulatory framework to be established by the Commissioner (rules and procedures for notation, forms, waivers for information releases, and public education programs).
  • Fees and license issuance provisions are codified with detailed schedules; replacements due to disability notation changes have limited or no fee exceptions beyond specified rules.
  • The bill repeals conflicting laws to the extent of inconsistency.

Privacy and safeguards

  • The bill places strong emphasis on limiting the disclosure of information related to disability notations.
  • Notation requests, removals, and related records have restricted disclosure, with specified exceptions (court orders, criminal justice agencies, licensing authorities, authorized waivers, or child support requests).

Sponsor and status

  • Prime sponsors: Senators James (28th), Kemp (38th), Jackson (41st), Parent (44th), Sims (12th), with several co-sponsors.
  • Action history shows referral to the Senate and prior hopper activity in January 2026.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Improves officer training to reduce misunderstandings and improve safety during encounters with individuals with non-apparent disabilities.
  • Provides a mechanism for individuals to have a disability notation on licenses/IDs, potentially aiding identification and accommodation in certain situations.
  • Raises privacy questions around who can access disability-related information and under what circumstances.
  • Introduces a defined framework for credential-related costs and renewal processes, which could affect individuals renewing licenses with disability notations.
  • Requires ongoing public outreach to inform the public about the availability and use of the notation.

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

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