HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1679
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Public Safety
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to issuing a two-year identicard for offenders released from prison facilities.
Brief Description: Issuing a two-year identicard for offenders released from prison facilities.
Sponsors: Representatives Goodman, Klippert, Pettigrew, Chapman, Hayes, Muri, Hudgins and Robinson; by request of Department of Corrections.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Public Safety: 2/6/17, 2/9/17 [DP];
Appropriations: 2/20/17, 2/24/17 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Goodman, Chair; Pellicciotti, Vice Chair; Klippert, Ranking Minority Member; Hayes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Chapman, Griffey, Holy, Pettigrew and Van Werven.
Staff: Alex Arkfeld (786-7290) and Omeara Harrington (786-7136).
Background:
Identicards.
The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues identification cards known as identicards. Identicards expire on the sixth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate after issuance, at which time they may be renewed. The DOL must issue an identicard to any applicant who:
does not hold a valid Washington driver's license;
proves his or her identity; and
pays a $54 fee, which may be reduced to the cost of identicard production if the applicant receives public assistance grants.
Issuance of Identicards to Released Offenders.
The DOL and the Department of Corrections (DOC) have a memorandum of understanding to issue identicards to offenders released from correctional facilities. Before an offender is released, the DOC provides the DOL with the offender's identifying information. Once released, an offender may present his or her DOC-issued identification card at a DOL office, where a DOL employee verifies the offender's identity and collects the applicable $54 fee before issuing an identicard.
In 2016 the Governor issued Executive Order 16-05 "Building Safe and Strong Communities Through Successful Reentry" requiring the DOL to identify a mechanism to ensure that all offenders leaving a state correctional facility have an identification card.
Monroe Correctional Complex Pilot Program.
The DOL and the DOC previously administered a pilot identicard program within the Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC). The program provided offenders with a state-issued identicard, which expired on the first anniversary of the offender's birthdate after issuance. Expenditures for the pilot program were funded out of the 2014 Supplemental Operating Budget, and the DOL was not permitted to charge any fee to an offender.
Offenders were eligible for an identicard provided they:
proved their identity, which could be done using a DOC-issued identification card;
were under the custody of the DOC;
had been sentenced to a period of incarceration exceeding one year and one day; and
were within two months of release from the MCC.
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Summary of Bill:
The DOC, working in conjunction with the DOL, must create and implement a program to provide a state-issued identicard to certain offenders released within Washington. The DOC and the DOL may implement the program over a period of time not to exceed 12 months and may enter into a memorandum of understanding to do so.
An offender is eligible for an identicard provided he or she:
is sentenced to DOC custody and is incarcerated within a correctional facility with an earned release date that is more than one year from his or her admission date;
has not been found by the United States Attorney General to be subject to a deportation detainer or order and does not become subject to a deportation order during the period of incarceration; and
is expected to be released to a location within Washington.
A DOC-issued identification card may serve as proof of identity and residency in obtaining an identicard. An identicard issued under this program expires two years from the first anniversary of the offender's birthdate after issuance.
The DOL may charge the DOC an $18 fee for each identicard issued under this program. The DOC may seek reimbursement from the offender and may deduct the identicard's cost from the offender's mandatory savings account or from funds that have been received on the offender's behalf for the identicard.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, except for section 4, which, because of a prior delayed effective date, takes effect August 30, 2017.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This legislation is an important step in improving public safety by providing releasing individuals with a current photo identification, and it directly supports efforts by the DOC to reduce recidivism and increase post-release employment. Obtaining a valid identification card is one of the cornerstones of successful reentry. Identification is needed to access housing, treatment, services, and employment. The successful MCC pilot program provided a blueprint for statewide implementation. This bill limits the burden on the taxpayer by taking money out of the offender's mandatory savings account.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Goodman, prime sponsor; and Devon Schrum, Department of Corrections.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 18 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Bergquist, Cody, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Hudgins, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, Pettigrew, Pollet, Sawyer, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan and Tharinger.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Stokesbary, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Caldier, Haler, Harris, Manweller, Nealey, Schmick, Taylor, Vick, Volz and Wilcox.
Staff: Rachelle Harris (786-7137).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Public Safety:
The substitute bill removes specific eligibility requirements for the provision of an identicard, and instead grants the Department of Corrections discretion to determine the eligibility of its offenders.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, except for section 4, which, because of a prior delayed effective date, takes effect August 30, 2017.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Having an identification card is critical to ensuring that offenders can obtain housing, treatment, and employment upon exiting prison. Providing them with an identification card will help them be better prepared for successful reentry.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Devon Schrum, Department of Corrections.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.