Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety Committee

HB 2518

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.

Background:

The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) issues driver's licenses, endorsements, and identicards that are valid for up to five years. An identicard is a non-driving Washington identification card (ID) issued by the DOL.

The DOL must issue an identicard, containing a picture, to any applicant provided that the applicant: (1) does not hold a valid Washington driver's license; (2) proves his or her identity; and (3) pays the required statutory $45 fee. An identicard is generally issued for up to five years at a charge of $45 unless the applicant receives public assistance, in which case the cost is equal to the actual cost to produce the identicard. The cost for an identicard will increase to $54 and will be valid for six years, effective August 2014.

Identicards are distinctly designed so that they are not confused with an official driver's license and they expire on the fifth anniversary of the applicant's birth date after issuance. An applicant may renew an identicard by means of personal appearance at a DOL office, by mail, or electronic commerce.

Issuance of Identicards to Released Offenders.

The DOL and the Department of Corrections (DOC) have an interagency agreement regarding issuing identification cards to offenders released and leaving correctional facilities. Under this agreement, before an offender is released the DOC electronically notifies the DOL with the offender's identifying information including his or her name, photo, date of birth, Social Security number and any known aliases. Once the offender is released to the community, he or she must take the DOC-issued ID card to a DOL licensing office.

A DOL employee compares the information previously received from the DOC to the DOC ID card, verifies the applicant's Social Security number via the Social Security Administration database, has the person sign an application, takes a photo, and collects the applicable $45 fee as set in statute. The DOL runs facial recognition on all applicants to prevent identity theft and then the applicant receives a temporary identicard card. The 'permanent' (which is valid for five years) identicard is mailed to the person by the DOL's central issuance vendor.

Monroe Correctional Complex.

The Monroe Correctional Complex (also often referred to as the Washington State Reformatory) opened in 1910 and is one of the DOC's largest correctional facilities in Washington. The facility is located in Monroe, Washington and has an operating capacity of 2,400 with custody levels ranging from minimum to closed custody levels.

Summary of Bill:

By July 1, 2014, the DOL must work in conjunction with the DOC to create a two-year pilot identicard program within the Monroe Correctional Complex. The goal is to create a pilot program to provide offenders with a state-issued identicard upon release from incarceration.

Each offender is eligible for an identicard provided he or she:

meets the DOL's criteria of: (1) not holding a current a valid Washington driver's license; (2) is able to prove his identity; and (3) pays the required fee for the issuance of the identicard;
is under the custody of the DOC;
is incarcerated at the Monroe Correctional Complex; and
is within two months or less of his or her release date from the correctional institution.

The DOL, in consultation with the DOC, must review and evaluate the Pilot Identicard Program at the Monroe Correctional Complex and submit a report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2016. The goal of the Pilot Identicard Program is to provide proper state identification to offenders upon release to the community, which is critical for accessing services, employment, housing, and various other opportunities in the community.