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AB 220

Relating to: discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 28 co-sponsors

AB 220 lets Nevada DHHS issue free photo IDs to residents experiencing homelessness (age 10+), expanding access to housing, work, and services; no fee; confidential.

Representative Haywood added as a coauthor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 220

AB 220 — Summary (2025 Session, Chapter 371)

Status: Approved by the Governor (Chapter 371, June 6, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Assemblymember Hunt

Purpose / Intent

AB 220 authorizes the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish and administer a program to issue photo identification cards to Nevada residents experiencing homelessness. The bill is intended to reduce barriers for unhoused Nevadans to access housing, employment, health care, public benefits, and other services that commonly require government-issued photo ID.

Key provisions

  • DHHS program: Authorizes DHHS to create and run an ID issuance program for Nevada residents who are experiencing homelessness (defined to include transient persons, those at imminent risk, or homeless).
  • Eligibility: Cards may be issued to residents age 10 or older who do not already hold a valid driver’s license or ID card from any other state or jurisdiction. “Resident” is defined as having actually lived in Nevada at least 6 months.
  • No fee: DHHS may not charge a fee for issuance, renewal, replacement, or name changes to these IDs. DHHS may accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the program.
  • Application requirements: Applicants must attest that they are experiencing homelessness and lack another valid ID. Applicants are required to present original or certified documents (the same types DMV requires) to verify full legal name and age. If the applicant cannot produce such documents, DHHS may still issue a card but it must clearly state on its face that the holder’s full legal name and age were not verified.
  • Name changes: DHHS must allow updates to the full legal name after formal name-change documentation and in certain life-event circumstances; no fee may be charged for changes.
  • Card form and expiration: DHHS must adopt regulations prescribing card content. Card expiration must be set by regulation and cannot be later than the eighth anniversary of the cardholder’s birthday nearest issuance/renewal. Cards remain valid until expiration unless the holder obtains an ID/license elsewhere; surrendered if another ID/license is issued.
  • Sex offender rule: Existing law’s prohibition on issuing or renewing IDs for registered sex offenders (or offenders convicted of crimes against children) until DHHS receives confirmation of registration compliance applies; such cards issued to these individuals have special expiration timing (see statute).
  • Confidentiality: Personal information in DHHS files or records related to the card or application is made confidential.
  • Duplicate cards: Permits replacement cards when lost/destroyed.
  • Prohibited conduct / penalties: Certain misuse or unlawful acts related to the ID are misdemeanors (statutory details in text).
  • Local acceptance: Authorizes certain local governments to accept the DHHS-issued ID for specified local purposes.
  • Administrative details: DHHS to adopt implementing regulations. The program is structured to be funded only to the extent money is available and via allowed donations/grants.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Nevada residents experiencing homelessness who lack state-issued photo ID.
  • State agencies: DHHS (to implement and run the program), Central Repository (for information-sharing about registrants), and potentially DMV (coordination).
  • Local governments and service providers: May be authorized to accept the DHHS ID for certain interactions.
  • Public safety/administrative systems: Minimal changes in processing for sex-offender registration checks and confidentiality protections.

Fiscal and policy considerations

  • Fiscal note: The bill notes an effect on state government; program costs are anticipated (DHHS staffing, card production, verification processes). DHHS may accept external funding (grants/donations). Local governments may have modest operational impacts if they accept/recognize the card for local services.
  • Public impact: Facilitates access to services, housing applications, employment, and entry into facilities that require ID; advocates (e.g., ACLU Nevada) supported the measure as a practical solution for unhoused residents.
  • Program guardrails: Verification requirements, unverified-card labeling, confidentiality, and sex-offender compliance provisions are intended to balance access and administrative safeguards.

Context / Data

DHHS Office of Analytics data (PIT 2023) shows an estimated 8,666 people experiencing homelessness in Nevada (concentrated in Clark and Washoe counties), underscoring the potential reach of the program.

For full statutory language and regulatory requirements, consult Chapter 371 (AB 220, 2025) as enrolled and enacted.

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

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