Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District
REAL ID Deadline Approaching
You have likely seen it in the headlines and have heard friends and neighbors discussing it. The federal deadline for when a REAL ID will be required to travel on domestic flights or visit certain federal facilities is May 7 of this year.
For several years, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security delayed the enforcement of this requirement. The most recent delays were related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But what is a REAL ID? How does it differ from a standard Pennsylvania identification card or driver’s license? Is everyone required to get a REAL ID?
In its simplest explanation, a REAL ID is a state-issued driver’s license or identification card that includes a symbol to indicate that the identification requirements are consistent with federal standards established in 2005. In Pennsylvania, the symbol is a transparent star inside a gold circle.
Once enforcement begins, visitors to U.S. military installations, federal courthouses and certain other federally operated properties will be required to show a REAL ID for entry. In addition, a REAL ID will be required to board a flight that travels within the United States. The only alternative is to show another form of federal identification, such as a passport or passport card.
Obtaining a REAL ID means an applicant has provided additional documents to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to verify their identity.
If you prefer, Pennsylvania residents are not required to have a REAL ID and when renewing your driver’s license or identification card, you need not do anything different than in the past.
However, if you would like a REAL ID, it is highly recommended you start by gathering the required documents. The first item needed is a proof of identity through either a valid U.S. Passport or an original or certified birth certificate. Applicants will also need proof of a Social Security number and two proofs of a current Pennsylvania address.
If you intend to use a birth certificate to prove your identity, it is important to first check that your birth certificate has a raised or embossed seal. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, many birth certificates issued prior to 1975 did not have a raised or embossed seal.
Also required are documents that prove all legal name changes, such as certified marriage certificates, court orders or adoption decrees.
Obtaining a new birth certificate or other required documents is not difficult, but certainly more time-consuming than applying for a new or renewing a standard driver’s license.
Any PennDOT Driver License Center can review and process REAL ID applications and associated paperwork. However, only a PennDOT REAL ID Center, which also handles other driver license services, can provide you with a new REAL ID on the day of your visit. If going to non-REAL ID centers, your REAL-ID will be mailed to you within 15 days. Here in Westmoreland County, a PennDOT REAL ID Center is located at
1100 Lowry Ave. in Jeannette.
For further assistance, I am planning a REAL ID seminar in the coming months and will be certain to provide information as the details are finalized.
I am sometimes asked by constituents how the REAL ID requirement came about. In response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the federal 9/11 Commission recommended minimum security standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards. In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act to implement new standards, as well as prohibit federal agencies from accepting identification from states whose standards do not meet the new federal standards.
Do you have questions? More information can be found at
dmv.pa.gov/realID. My staff and I are very knowledgeable in the REAL ID application process. We can also assist in obtaining a new birth certificate if needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us at my Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113 or my New Kensington office at 724-472-4102.
Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.
Taking the Oath of Office to Serve You - I am honored and excited to join my fellow lawmakers tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 7, as we collectively take the oath of office for the 2025-26 Legislative Session. We have so much work to do, and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve and be your voice at the state Capitol.
As outlined in the Pennsylvania Constitution, newly elected and re-elected members take the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.”
If you’d like to watch the ceremony, it will stream live at
PAHouseGOP.com at noon.
To keep up to date with all the latest news from the Capitol and here at home, be sure to follow me on Facebook at
facebook.com/RepJillCooper and watch for my weekly email updates. If you haven’t signed up to receive them, visit my website at
repjillcooper.com to do so!
Also, all voting sessions of the House, as well as committee meetings, are streamed live at
PAHouseGOP.com.
Have You Heard of Hospice Fraud? - The Federal Trade Commission is warning of another scam targeting older adults – hospice fraud.
Scammers are contacting these citizens – with calls, texts, emails, fake ads and even door-to-door visits – claiming they’ll set you up with services like free cooking, cleaning and home health care. What they likely won’t tell you is how. They want to commit fraud by signing you up for Medicare hospice care. Then, they can bill Medicare for all kinds of services in your name.
To protect yourself from hospice scams:
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Never give your Medicare number to someone offering “free” services like housekeeping or cooking. Medicare doesn’t offer free services like that.
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Never agree to sign up for hospice care in exchange for perks or gifts like money, gift cards or groceries.
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Know that Medicare will never come to your home to sign you up for services. If someone comes to your door, says they’re from Medicare, and tries to get you to sign up for services, they’re lying. Don’t give them any information.
To learn more, visit
consumer.ftc.gov.
Vehicle Fees Eliminated for Some Veterans - A new state law, which I supported, eliminates vehicle registration and title fees for certain veterans in the Commonwealth.
Under
Act 60 of 2024, fees are eliminated for a passenger vehicle or truck weighing 9,000 pounds or less owned by military veterans who meet one of the following requirements (license plate fees still apply):
• Vehicles registered to a veteran who lost a limb or eye or who became partially paralyzed while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Vehicles registered to a veteran who, as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, was captured by the enemy in any armed conflict for which the Department of Defense authorizes a campaign medal.
• Vehicles registered to a veteran who has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
• Vehicles registered to a veteran who has been awarded the Purple Heart.
Eligible veterans should use the
MV-145V or
MV-150P forms to apply for the benefit at this time. Updated forms are pending. Contact my Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113 or my New Kensington office at 724-472-4102 for more information and assistance.
Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper