Poughkeepsie is one common council meeting away from becoming the second city in New York state -- after New York City -- to have a municipal ID card program.

While undocumented immigrants might be the first group that comes to many minds when someone mentions a municipal ID program, supporters of the legislation say there are many others who stand to benefit. 

"My roommate robbed me," said Sharon Elvin of Poughkeepsie about a recent incident during which her most important personal documents were stolen.

She said that she has not been allowed to see results of a recent blood test without a photo ID.

"It affects my life," she said. "It limits what I'm able to do."

Poughkeepsie Councilmember Sarah Salem (Ward #2) sponsored the legislation that is going before the full council for a vote at Monday evening's meeting.

"To me, everybody benefits from having this card," she said in an interview on Sunday afternoon.

Among the groups that might benefit the most are immigrants, the homeless, transgender people and senior citizens who may no longer have state IDs since they have not driven a car in decades. 

Salem said municipal IDs would allow people to do countless simple things that others might take for granted, including identifying themselves when picking up their children from school, to more easily report crimes, and even to avoid day-to-day discrimination.

"We're not requiring a gender selection," Salem said. "That will allow transgender individuals to have ID cards in the city of Poughkeepsie that they can feel represents them."

According to the legislation, the IDs would include a photo, date of birth, address and ID number.

The legislation also states that the city will not keep copies of documents used to apply for the IDs, and will not be able to disclose any additional information to any other agency, including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, more commonly known as "ICE."

"We only keep information that will help us prevent duplicates of cards," Salem said. "We are not incriminating anyone who's going to get one of these ID cars by issuing them."

Salem said she is hoping for unanimous passage of the legislation on Monday evening, after support has been voiced by other members of council, administrators and community groups who have been lobbying for similar programs in several other cities in the Hudson Valley.

According to the legislation, if it is passed, the program will be implemented within the next six months.