A bill introduced into the Minnesota legislature last month, HF No. 989, has created concern among Muslims in the state. It would require that divers' licenses carry a photo showing the full head an face of the licensee. Many Muslim women who wear a head scarf for religious reasons object. State Rep. Steve Gottwalt, sponsor of the bill, says the bill is not about religion, but about public safety, according to a report last Sunday by WCCO.
UPDATE: Thursday's Tulsa World reports on a similar bill pending in the Oklahoma legislature. HB1645 passed the Oklahoma House, but its fate in the Senate is uncertain since the Department of Public Safety sees no need for the bill.
UPDATE: Thursday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the sponsor of the Minnesota bill now says he will amend it to permit individuals to wear haead coverings for religious or cultural purposes in license photos. This language would track the standards used for U.S. passport photos.
