Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Bizzarro’s bill to provide free driver’s licenses to homeless youth passes House

Bizzarro’s bill to provide free driver’s licenses to homeless youth passes House

Will now head to Senate for consideration

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    April 9, 2025 | 3:53 PM

HARRISBURG, April 9 – Legislation that would help more than 40,000 Pennsylvania youth identified as homeless obtain a driver’s license for free passed the Pennsylvania House Wednesday, prime sponsor Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) announced.

House Bill 472 would lift the fees for obtaining a driver’s license or identification card for youth who have been identified as homeless by a state agency. The bill would allow these children to use a shelter or school address as a temporary address for the license and expand the list of adults who can sign off on the paperwork to include social workers, children and youth caseworkers, and teachers. Youth must be enrolled in an education program to receive the waiver.

“By waiving the license fee, we’re removing financial barriers to allow youth identified as homeless to get a license or ID card and use that to enroll or transfer schools, make doctor’s appointments, and enroll in food and housing assistance programs,” Bizzarro said. “These are vital services that can help keep these youth connected to their schools and communities while their lives stabilize.”

House Bill 472 passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Bizzarro introduced similar legislation last session, but it languished in the Senate Transportation Committee after being passed by the House in July.