(a) As used in this Code section, the term “SAVE Program” means the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program established by the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
(b) The department shall utilize the following procedures in this subsection before issuing an identification card, license, permit, or other official document to an applicant who is a noncitizen:
(1) The department shall attempt to confirm through the SAVE Program that the applicant is lawfully present in the United States; and
(2) Ifthe SAVE Program does not provide sufficient information to the department to make a determination, the department shall be authorized to accept verbal or email confirmation of the legal status of the applicant from the Department of Homeland Security.
(c) This Code section shall not apply to instances when a federal law mandates acceptance of a document.
(d) Subsection (b) of this Code section shall become effective upon the department’s full implementation of the SAVE Program but not later
than January 1, 2008.