Right to real privacy

FR first reported on the federal Real ID Act, P.L. 109-13 (pdf), with a post on the state of Virginia's creation of a task force to review the Act and its potential impact on Virginia, "including but not limited to the potential increased cost." As Associated Press (AP) reports in a Tuesday story, the Real ID Act "requires states by 2008 to verify documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and passports when people apply for driver's licenses," employing a common machine-readable technology and state databases with linked state driver information and photos. However, now it seems, according to AP, states are viewing the issue more as a "fight over privacy rights versus homeland security."

New Hampshire's House overwhelmingly passed HB 1582 which prohibits the state from participating in a national identification card system or amending the procedures for applying for a driver's license or identification card. The strongly worded bill is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union as well as conservative privacy advocates. The Senate is expected to return a vote in early May.

AP reports many state governors and most state legislatures are opposed to the Real ID and wait "to see regulations for implementing it from the federal Department of Homeland Security before acting."

The general court finds that the public policy established by Congress in the Real ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13, is contrary and repugnant to Articles 1 through 10 of the New Hampshire constitution as well as Amendments 4 though 10 of the Constitution for the United States of America.

House Bill 1582, 2006, State of New Hampshire