Speaker Mark-Viverito and Council Members Menchaca & Dromm announce legislation

CITY HALL, NY (TIP): City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Immigration Committee Chair Carlos Menchaca and Council Member Daniel Dromm , April 10, announced the introduction of legislation to provide New Yorkers with municipal identification cards – the New York City Identity Card- that will facilitate New Yorkers access to City services.

The legislation would require the City to create the New York City Identity Card Program. Through this program, the City would offer a secure municipal identification card to anyone who lives within the five boroughs. Under the law, City agencies would be required to accept the card, making it easier for New Yorkers to use to access City services where identification is required. Much like a license, applicants would have to provide proof of residency and identity to obtain the card.

To increase the popularity of the card, the City would be required to expand the benefits once implemented including working with banks and other public and private institutions to promote broad acceptance of the municipal identification program. The bill requires that the card be designed in a way that deters fraud much like a driver’s license or passport. “New York City Identity Cards will provide New Yorkers with broader access to City services, foster better community relations and help bring stability to all City residentsthis is a smart, humane policy that will help New Yorkers,” said Speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito. “I’m proud to work with Immigration Chair Menchaca and Council Member Dromm on this critical legislation, and look forward to hearing from my Council colleagues, the de Blasio Administration and the public on this bill.”

“The New York City Identity Card will provide residents with government issued identification,” Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) said. “Everybody needs identification everywhere you go in New York City. Without ID, individuals are not allowed to enter schools to pick up their children. This legislation makes New York City a safer, more inclusive city.” Immigration Committee Chair Carlos Menchaca said: “As Chair of the Immigration Committee, I am proud to join Council Member Daniel Dromm to introduce legislation that would create New York City’s first municipal identification card program. I commend Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s leadership in spearheading this legislation.

I represent the 38th Council District, which is made up of many diverse and vibrant neighborhoods. I know firsthand that far too many of our neighbors struggle to prove their identity, finding it difficult to access the most basic of services. Identification cards are gateways to critical services. A number of other cities, including New Haven, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, have established municipal ID card programs. With this bill, the City Council is committed to creating a municipal ID card program that benefits our entire City. This introduction is just the first step, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with the administration to ensure that proof of identity is no longer a privilege for New Yorkers.”