Missouri Receives Extended Grace Period for the Implementation of REAL ID Requirements

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, recently received information regarding Missouri’s compliance with the federal REAL ID Act.

“Recently, the Missouri Department of Revenue informed legislators that the Department of Homeland Security is granting a grace period for the use of Missouri issued IDs through January 22, 2019,” said Sen. Cunningham. “This means that Missourians will be able to use their current driver’s licenses for air travel and to gain access to military bases and other federal facilities through that date.”

The REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed by Congress after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. This federal law sets standards for how states should issue forms of photographic identification. During the 2017 legislative session, the Legislature passed and the governor signed House Bill 151 into law. This legislation allows the Department of Revenue to give citizens the option of applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. The new law does include several security measures aiming to protect Missourians personal information. It does not allow the state to store social security numbers in databases that can be accessed by other state or federal departments. Currently, state officials are working with the federal government to implement the changes authorized by House Bill 151 in order for Missouri to be compliant with the REAL ID Act.

“I am grateful for this good news, and I will continue to monitor the situation and will be sure to update my constituents as soon as we have more information,” Sen. Cunningham said.