Connecticut’s House of Representatives has approved a bill that would allow immigrants to obtain drivers licenses regardless of their legal status, The Associated Press reports.
The bill passed on a 74-55 vote Thursday morning after an overnight debate that lasted more than seven hours.
House Speaker Brendon Sharkey says the legislation would lead to fewer untrained and unregistered drivers, lower insurance rates, and help the economy.
Under the legislation, applicants for driver’s licenses would still need documentation showing they have lived in the state for at least 90 days.
Opponents argued the legislation could encourage immigrants to enter the state illegally and could lead to abuses in voting. They had pushed for further studies of the issue.
The bill now heads to the state Senate.
Connecticut’s House of Representatives has approved a bill that would allow immigrants to obtain drivers licenses regardless of their legal status, The Associated Press reports.
The bill passed on a 74-55 vote Thursday morning after an overnight debate that lasted more than seven hours.
House Speaker Brendon Sharkey says the legislation would lead to fewer untrained and unregistered drivers, lower insurance rates, and help the economy.
Under the legislation, applicants for driver’s licenses would still need documentation showing they have lived in the state for at least 90 days.
Opponents argued the legislation could encourage immigrants to enter the state illegally and could lead to abuses in voting. They had pushed for further studies of the issue.
The bill now heads to the state Senate.
