State Rep. Stephanie Scialabba, R-Cranberry, recently introduced legislation (House Bill 1356) that would prevent the state from requiring REAL ID-compliant identification to enter state or local public buildings.

“The Federal REAL ID program poses a substantial burden for many Pennsylvanians, particularly married women who have changed their name, and provides no real security benefit- as demonstrated by the two decades of delay in implementation since enactment of the program,” Scialabba wrote in her co-sponsorship memorandum. “While the Federal government currently plans to begin enforcement of the REAL ID standard at federal buildings and airports this spring, we can ensure that Pennsylvanians are not further burdened by these requirements during any interactions with our Commonwealth or local governments.”

Pennsylvania officials have been holding additional hours at driver’s license centers for the past several weeks to accommodate those who want to get a new REAL ID. Another round of REAL ID hours will be held Monday at several sites around Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/real-id/real-id-days.html.

REAL ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that the DHS says is a more secure form of identification. Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, it will be required to access certain federal buildings and facilities. The REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005 based on a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that the government set security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs. REAL ID was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008 but has been pushed back several times.

A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license has a symbol (in most states, a star) in the top corner of the card.

Those who live in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington could have an “enhanced” ID card instead, which permits people to both fly domestically and cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the U.S. It does not, however, allow card holders to fly into either of those countries. Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon, as well as the word “enhanced” at the top of the card.

Those who don’t have a REAL ID and are planning to board a domestic flight will need to bring a passport or another TSA-approved form of identification when traveling. Otherwise, travelers could face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.