Pennsylvania HB 284: An Act providing for secure and fair elections and the authentication of United States citizenship.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 229
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 284
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MALONEY, M. BROWN, HAMM, KAUFFMAN, KUZMA AND
ZIMMERMAN, JANUARY 23, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 23, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for secure and fair elections and the authentication
of United States citizenship.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Secure and
Fair Elections Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." A resident of this Commonwealth seeking to
register to vote in Federal, State and local elections under
this act.
"Application." As follows:
(1) The form approved by the secretary to register an
applicant to vote under this act.
(2) The National Mail Voter Registration Form issued as
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provided under Federal law shall be accepted as an
application.
"Board." The State Election Board established under section
4(a).
"Department." The Department of State of the Commonwealth.
"Division of Vital Records." The Division of Vital Records
of the Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Evidence of United States citizenship." One of the
following or a legible photocopy of one of the following
documents:
(1) The applicant's driver's license or nondriver's
identification card issued by the Commonwealth or an
equivalent governmental agency of another state if the agency
indicates on the applicant's driver's license or nondriver's
identification card that the individual has provided
satisfactory proof of United States citizenship.
(2) The applicant's birth certificate that verifies
United States citizenship to the satisfaction of the county
board of elections or the secretary.
(3) Pertinent pages of the applicant's United States
valid or expired passport identifying the applicant and the
applicant's passport number, or presentation to the county
board of elections of the applicant's United States passport.
(4) The applicant's United States naturalization
documents or the number of the applicant's certificate of
naturalization. If only the number of the certificate of
naturalization is provided, the applicant's name shall not be
included on the registration roll until the number of the
certificate of naturalization is verified with the United
States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services by the
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county board of elections or the secretary, under 8 U.S.C. §
1373(c) (relating to communication between government
agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service).
(5) Other documents or methods of proof of United States
citizenship issued by the Federal Government under the
Immigration and Nationality Act (66 Stat. 163, 8 U.S.C. §
1101 et seq.).
(6) The applicant's Bureau of Indian Affairs card
number, tribal treaty card number or tribal enrollment
number.
(7) The applicant's consular report of birth abroad of a
citizen of the United States of America.
(8) The applicant's certificate of citizenship issued by
the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
(9) The applicant's certification of report of birth
issued by the United States Department of State.
(10) The applicant's American Indian card, with KIC
classification, issued by the United States Department of
Homeland Security.
(11) The applicant's final adoption decree showing the
applicant's name and United States birthplace.
(12) The applicant's official United States military
record of service showing the applicant's place of birth in
the United States.
(13) An extract from a United States hospital record of
birth created at the time of the applicant's birth indicating
the applicant's place of birth in the United States.
(14) Any other information or documentation related to
an applicant's United States citizenship if the board
assesses the information or documentation as satisfactory.
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"Secretary." The Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Section 3. Registration.
(a) Applications generally.--Applications, promulgated by
the secretary, shall give voter eligibility requirements and
necessary information to prevent duplicative voter registrations
and enable the relevant election officer to assess the
eligibility of the applicant, administer voter registration,
identify the applicant and determine the qualifications of the
applicant as an elector and the facts authorizing the individual
to be registered. Applications shall contain a statement that
the applicant shall be required to provide qualifying
identification when voting.
(b) Process to assess eligibility.--
(1) The secretary shall create a process