Legislation has been introduced in the state House of Representatives to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

House Bill 2835 is sponsored by Reps. Danilo Burgos, D-Philadelphia, Joseph C. Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, and Christopher M. Rabb, D-Philadelphia. It would create a non-citizen application for a state driver’s license through a waiver for those who are otherwise eligible but don’t have a Social Security number. Other identifiers, such as taxpayer identification number, may be required.

Licenses granted to non-citizens may contain an indication that the license was issued to a person who is not a citizen. Any photographs or identifying information such as a Social Security number, tax identification number, telephone number, birth place, country of origin, workplace, schools attended, income, public benefit history, utility information or other information that is not typically a public record won’t be disclosed except to the person who is getting the license, when required by federal laws governing the national driver register or when required by a court order.

If information has to be given out, the license holder would be notified.

“In today’s world, a driver’s license is essential to earn a living, travel safely, and live a dignified existence,” Burgos wrote in his legislative memorandum. “Unfortunately, many undocumented persons are unable to apply for a driver’s license in Pennsylvania because they do not have the required Social Security number. As a result, they are contributing income and sales taxes without the equal protections and basic rights that the rest of us enjoy such as the ability to drive safely to work, school, or stores. To address this issue, I will be introducing legislation that allows individuals without a Social Security number to apply for a driver’s license or learner’s permit using secure alternatives such as a federal taxpayer identification number, a federal waiver for non-issuance of a Social Security Number for religious reasons, or any combination of documents that reliably proves the applicant’s name and date of birth, including a valid foreign passport, consular identification document, or certified record of the individual’s birth, marriage, adoption, or divorce.”

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. These states — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington — issue a license if an applicant provides certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate, foreign passport, or consular card and evidence of current residency in the state.