Nevada creates free photo IDs for residents experiencing homelessness

New law removes a basic barrier

Nevada now has a law on the books that could give homeless residents something most people take for granted: a photo ID.

Gov. Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 220 on June 6, 2025, allowing the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to create a free ID program for people experiencing homelessness.

The bill passed both chambers without a single “no” vote, 42-0 in the Assembly and 21-0 in the Senate. Assemblymember Linda Hunt, a Las Vegas Democrat, introduced the measure.

DHHS can issue cards at no cost

Under the law, DHHS can issue free photo IDs to Nevada residents 10 and older who are experiencing homelessness. Applicants can’t hold a valid driver’s license or state ID from any state.

The department can’t charge a dime for issuing, renewing, or replacing the cards. To apply, people must confirm their homeless status and provide their full legal name and age when they can.

The program is meant to cut through the red tape that keeps many homeless residents locked out of basic services.

Cards look like regular IDs but differ

The IDs will look similar to a standard DMV card but with a clear visual difference, like a different color. They can’t be used for driving and expire no later than eight years after they’re issued.

If an applicant can’t fully prove their name and age, the card can include a note saying that information wasn’t verified.

The goal is to give people a form of identification even when their documents have been lost or destroyed.

Local governments can choose to accept them

The law lets local governments accept these cards for any activity where they’d normally take a DMV-issued ID. That said, it doesn’t force private businesses or federal agencies to honor them.

The cards are designed to help holders do things like access services, apply for jobs, and look for housing. How widely local governments actually use them in practice is something that will play out over time.

Privacy rules and fraud penalties apply

The law builds in several safeguards. DHHS must keep all cardholder information confidential.

The ID stays valid even if someone is no longer experiencing homelessness, so people don’t lose it the moment their situation improves. Anyone who misuses or fraudulently obtains a card faces penalties.

Registered sex offenders and people convicted of crimes against children face restrictions on getting or renewing the IDs.

Funding will decide when it launches

Here’s the catch: the law says DHHS can create the program “to the extent that money is available.” That means the program is approved but not guaranteed to start.

No state budget money was specifically set aside for it.

The department can accept gifts, grants, and donations to get things moving, but without dedicated funding, the timeline remains uncertain.

Losing an ID can trap people in homelessness

A 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that having an ID is essential for exiting homelessness. People need one to get a job, find housing, and access government benefits.

But homeless residents often lose their documents to theft, weather, or encampment cleanups.

Replacing a lost ID typically requires a permanent address, fees, and other paperwork that people without housing don’t have. It creates a cycle where you need an ID to get help but can’t get an ID without help.

Homelessness keeps rising across Nevada

Nevada counted about 10,100 people experiencing homelessness statewide in 2024, up from roughly 8,700 the year before.

Southern Nevada’s 2024 Point-in-Time Count found about 7,900 unhoused people, a 20% jump from the prior year. That marked the third straight year of increases in the region and hit a 13-year high.

The numbers help explain why lawmakers on both sides supported creating a new path to identification.

Existing DMV process left many stuck

Nevada already allowed some homeless residents to get fee waivers for DMV IDs, but the process still required documents many people don’t have.

The DMV needs proof of identity like a birth certificate or Social Security card, and homeless residents frequently lack both. AB 220 creates a separate path through DHHS with fewer documentation barriers.

If someone can’t provide supporting documents, they can still get an ID card that notes their information wasn’t fully verified.

Not a single lawmaker voted against it

The bill drew zero opposition in either chamber. Supporters argued the IDs would help people get back on their feet by removing one of the most basic barriers to employment and services.

Some concerns came up during hearings about administrative costs and the potential for fraud. Lawmakers addressed those worries by writing fraud penalties and misuse restrictions into the final version of the law.

No confirmed launch date yet

As of early 2026, it’s not clear whether DHHS has started issuing cards. No public reporting has detailed a timeline, staffing plan, or rollout strategy.

The law doesn’t set a deadline for when the program must begin.

AB 220 was one of more than 50 new laws that took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, after the 2025 legislative session. Gov. Lombardo signed more than 200 bills from the regular session into law.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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