SECTION 1. Section 8 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting in line 11, after the word “require”, the following paragraph:

Nothing in this section shall permit the registrar to deny a license to operate motor vehicles or learner’s permit application based on a failure by a Massachusetts resident ineligible for a social security number to provide a social security number or evidence of immigration status. 

SECTION 2.  Section 8B of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting in line 7, after the word “require”, the following paragraph:

Nothing in this section shall permit the registrar to deny a license to operate motor vehicles or learner’s permit application based on a failure by a Massachusetts resident ineligible for a social security number  to provide a social security number or evidence of immigration status. 

SECTION 3.  Chapter 90 of the General Laws, is hereby amended by inserting after section 8B the following section:

Section 8B½. A license to operate motor vehicles or learner’s permit may, under the rules and regulations established by the registrar, be issued to a Massachusetts resident ineligible for a social security number. 

(a) A driver’s license issued to a holder ineligible for a social security number shall be valid for a period of four years, provided that a holder who becomes eligible for and obtains a social security number prior to the expiration of the license may apply for renewal at that time. 

(b) A holder of a license issued under this section shall be subject to any and all provisions of the General Laws and any and all implementing regulations to the same extent as any other person issued a driver’s license, unless otherwise provided in the General Laws or by administrative rule, including but not limited to the examination requirements in section 8 of this chapter as well as the mandatory insurance requirements and penalties set forth in sections 1A and 34J of this chapter.

(c) A license issued under this section is invalid if the holder is unable to provide proof of liability insurance upon the request of a law enforcement officer.

(d) A license issued under this section shall not confer eligibility for any public benefit.  A license issued under this section shall be visually distinct, in such manner as the Registrar shall prescribe, from a license issued to a holder who is eligible for a social security number.

(e) The Registrar shall adopt rules for implementing this section, including designating acceptable evidence that an applicant is ineligible for a social security number.

(f) The Registrar shall have authority to prescribe by regulations a required driver’s training program to orientapplicantsfor a license issued under this section to driving rules specific to the United States.  Such a training programmay, in the discretion of the Registrar, include programs offered by licensed private driver’s schools.