Wisconsin Takes A Lead in The War

On May 30th, 2006 Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed Assembly Bill 290 into law. Now Wisconsin Act 482 is the law of the land in the Badger State and it outlaws requiring the implantation of microchips in individuals.

AN ACT to create 146.25 of the statutes; relating to: prohibiting the required implanting of a microchip in an individual
and providing a penalty.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in
senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 146.25 of the statutes is created to read:
146.25 Required implanting of microchip prohibited.
(1) No person may require an individual to undergo
the implanting of a microchip.
(2) Any person who violates sub. (1) may be required
to forfeit not more than $10,000. Each day of continued
violation constitutes a separate offense.

The RFID Journal, (an RFID Industry organ) reported on the matter back in May and the bill was signed into law on May 30th. Kudos to the folks in Wisconsin for having the fortitude to stop mandatory implantations in their state. While this doesn't seem to be related directly to REAL ID it is a logical growth for the "Secure ID" fanatics behind RID. What is more secure than an implanted chip? And if it is already mandatory for you to carry a card how great a leap will it be to require an implant? At least Wisconsin has taken steps to see that this doesn't occur. James Sensenbrenner must be spinning in his seat over this one.

The RFID Journal also reported that the California Assembly's Transportation committee approved SB 433, a bill that will place a 3 year moratorium on using RFID chips in California Drivers Licenses. Unfortunately this bill, if implemented will sunset on Jan 1st, 2010 even if their Governor signs it.

I do have to wonder how this will run, given its conflict with REAL ID, which is slated to take effect in '08. Regardless, these are steps in a right direction. Taking away some of the technology manages to throw a monkey wrench into REAL ID implementation. If individual states manage to enact laws which serve to hobble the RID Act then all the citizens of these states will benefit.

Props to Kat Dillon for posting a story on RFID that set me off on this trail.

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REAL ID, RFID, Wisconsin, California