SECTION 1. Legislative intent on findings. - -

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this legislature in enacting this act to protect state residents from the penalties associated with failing to register with the US Selective Service System and to help ensure that any future draft is fair and equitable to all potential draftees.

The legislature finds and declares that the penalties associated with non-compliance are sever, including, but not limited to, a felony conviction and forfeiture of the ability to seek state employment from certain state agencies and departments. In addition, failure to register may permanently preclude the violator from acquiring many federal benefits, such as federal and state student financial assistance, participation in federally funded job training programs and eligibility for US citizenship for immigrants seeking citizenship.

Therefore, in recognition of the severe consequences of non-compliance and the importance of helping to ensure that any future draft is fair and equitable, it is the intent of the legislature to notify state residents of their responsibility to register with the selective service and to provide them the opportunity to register concurrent with applying for a driver's license or identification card.

SECTION 2. Chapter 31-10 of the General Laws entitled "Operators' and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

31-10-47. Notification of selective service registration requirement. -- (a) Any male, United States citizen or immigrant who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, but less than twenty-six (26) years of age shall be registered in compliance with the requirements of section 3 of the "Military Selective Service Act," 50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq., when applying to receive a driver's license, renewal or identification card or renewal.

(b) The division of motor vehicles shall forward in an electronic format the name, address, date of birth, social security number, and date of application to the selective service system. The applicant's submission of the application shall serve as an indication that the applicant has already registered with the selective service or that he is authorizing the department to forward to the selective service the necessary information for such registration. The department shall notify the applicant on the application that his submission of the application will serve as his consent to be registered with the selective service system, if so required by federal law.

(c) The provisions of this section shall apply to male United States citizens or immigrants between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26) who are applying for issuance, renewal or duplicate of an instruction permit, a driver's license, a provisional driver's license, a commercial driver's license, or an identification card on or after the applicable effective date of this act.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.