Topeka ? Applying for a driver’s license in Kansas would require a thumbprint or other physical identifier plus a Social Security number under a bill that received tentative Senate approval Monday.

Sen. Barbara Allen, R-Overland Park, introduced the measure as a way to deter identity theft. Final Senate action on it was set for Tuesday, and passage would send the bill to the House.

Under the proposal, the Division of Motor Vehicles would keep a database of “biometric identifiers,” which could include a thumbprint, retinal scan, face recognition or hand geometry.

A person applying for a license would receive a temporary permit while the state verified the Social Security number and identifier. The applicant would receive a permanent license in about 30 days. The bill also increases license fees by $1.

The new requirements would take effect July 1, 2003. People renewing existing licenses would have to supply the identifiers once.

Currently, Kansas does not require a Social Security number nor any kind of biometric identifier for obtaining a license.

“Kansas is one of the easiest state’s to get a fraudulent driver’s license,” said Allen, herself a victim of identity theft last year. “This is an attempt to reduce the problem of identity theft.”

Opponents, including Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, were concerned the bill was a step toward national identification cards.

However, Sen. Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, argued that the Sept. 11 terror hijackings showed the need for such a measure.

 The identity bill is SB 559.