Supporters of a bill that would let undocumented immigrants acquire driver's licenses said the measure would lead to a safer driving experience for all.

On Saturday afternoon, members of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition held an informational session on Bill No. 3285, known as the “Safe Driving Bill,” in the Mattapoisett Friends Meeting House.

Eight states, including Vermont and Connecticut, have enacted similar bills. Supporters are pushing for Massachusetts to become the ninth.

“We want communities to be ready to support the next step of the legislative process,” said the coalition’s organizing director Cristina Aguilera.

She and others explained the bill to the 40 people who attended the event, which was conducted in English and Spanish.

As written, the bill would allow for driver’s licenses to be issued to those without Social Security numbers. An applicant would need to furnish the Registry of Motor Vehicles with proof of residency, such as a utility bill.

Under current law, an applicant for a driver's license is required to provide a Social Security number or a denial notice from the Social Security Administration along with visa paperwork.

Other provisions in the bill limit how licenses held by undocumented immigrants could be used. A driver’s license secured through that law would not entitle its holder to any state benefits, and it could only be used for driving. License holders would not be allowed to use licenses for identification purposes.

To achieve that, the bill says that those licenses may be “visually distinct” from other driver’s licenses -- although coalition members said they will work to remove that clause.

“We’d prefer that the Safe Driving Bill licenses not be visually distinct to cut down on discrimination,” Aguilera said.

Several people asked if a license holder's information would be available to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) agency. That agency enforces immigration law.

Aguilera explained that states aren’t required to share that information with the agency. The bill is designed to allow those who need licenses to get them without legal repercussions.

“It’s intended to be inclusive for the community. It’s not intended to be used by I.C.E.,” she said.

She said the bill would increase safety for everyone by increasing traffic knowledge. Supporters also said bill requirements would reduce the number of uninsured drivers, because licenses would only be valid with proof of insurance.

After the information session, attendees broke into groups to discuss how to promote the bill to local legislators.

On March 5, the Joint Committee on Transportation held a well-attended public hearing on the bill. The transportation committee as until May 15 to give a report on the bill.