Bill to waive ID card fees for high school seniors, foster kids, disadvantaged

It may not seem like a big deal, but for many high school seniors, foster children, and disadvantaged youth, acquiring a government ID holds the key to getting a job, higher education, and even essential services.

A bill by Speaker Therese Terlaje would waive the fee for a Guam ID or Real ID card for those groups.

It was welcomed by others, Education Superintendent Kenneth Swanson said, “The importance of having an ID is a gateway to other services and so I see that if we can get uniform requirement from other agencies for example, from the community college, from the university, from other business entities that if they want to bring someone on they have to have a government issued ID.” 

Swanson added, “As long as we hold those requirements for everybody, then it becomes a value then. I need to get this for me so that I can do what I want to do.” 

Other options such as a passport or driver's license may not be available to most disadvantaged children.

Rev and Tax officials said they would have no issues implementing the fee waiver.