Missouri passes bill for Real ID compliant licenses

On Thursday, state lawmakers gave final approval to a measure that would thousands of Missouri residents being turned away at airports for lack of valid identification.

The legislation allows Missouri residents the option of getting a driver’s license or state identification card that complies with the federal Real ID Act.

The federal government has said Missouri licenses won’t be valid at airports in 2018 if the state doesn’t adopt the tougher proof-of-identity requirements.

Missouri law currently prohibits the state from complying with the Real ID Act. Some lawmakers have cited privacy concerns about the Real ID Act’s requirement to retain license applicants’ personal documents, like birth certificates.

The legislation will now go to Governor Eric Greitens’ desk.