HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2372
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:
Early Learning & Human Services
Title: An act relating to the issuance of identicards to individuals released from juvenile rehabilitation facilities operated by the department of social and health services or any successor state agency.
Brief Description: Concerning the issuance of identicards to individuals released from certain juvenile rehabilitation facilities.
Sponsors: Representatives Kagi, Senn, Goodman, McBride, Sawyer, Frame, Ormsby, Appleton, Doglio and Stonier; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Early Learning & Human Services: 1/17/18, 1/19/18 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & HUMAN SERVICES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Senn, Vice Chair; Dent, Ranking Minority Member; McCaslin, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Eslick, Frame, Goodman, Griffey, Kilduff, Klippert, Lovick, Muri and Ortiz-Self.
Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).
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: (i) receives public assistance grants; or (ii) is under age 18 and does not have a permanent address.
The current cost of production for an identicard is $5.
To obtain an identicard, an individual must prove his or her identity by providing one of the following documents:
a valid or recently expired driver's license or instruction permit;
a Washington identicard or identification card issued by another state;
a federal or state government identification card;
a military identification card;
a United States passport; or
an Immigration and Naturalization Service form.
Minors may establish identity for purposes of obtaining an identicard by providing an affidavit of the applicant's parent or guardian.
Identicards are a valid piece of identification that can be used for:
taking a high school equivalency exam;
employment;
requesting a social security number or birth certificate;
applying for a passport;
enrolling in postsecondary education programs; and
opening a bank account or cashing a check.
Juvenile Rehabilitation Institutions and Facilities.
Any juvenile offender adjudication that includes a disposition with a confinement period over 30 days is committed to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for placement in an institution or facility. Juvenile offender disposition confinement periods up to 30 days are served in county juvenile detention facilities.
The DSHS operates two juvenile rehabilitation institutions: Echo Glen Children's Center and Green Hill School. Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie is designated for younger male juvenile offenders and female juvenile offenders. Green Hill School in Chehalis is designated for older male juvenile offenders.
Naselle Youth Camp in Naselle is a work camp that offers male offenders a forestry work program in collaboration with the Department of Fish and Wildlife in an aquaculture program and assists with fighting fires.
The DSHS operates community facilities that provide community reentry and parole aftercare services to youth released from institutional confinement. There are eight juvenile rehabilitation community facilities in Wenatchee, Tacoma, Ellensburg, Yakima, Ephrata, Olympia, Richland, and Woodinville.
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Summary of Bill:
The Department of Licensing is required to issue an identicard at the cost of production to individuals who are:
scheduled for release from a juvenile rehabilitation institution, a community facility for individuals committed to the Juvenile Rehabilitation division of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), juvenile rehabilitation facility operated by the DSHS or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families; or
released from such a facility or institution within the last 30 days.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2019.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Obtaining a valid Washington identification card or identicard is an essential step in reentry. An identicard assists individuals in housing, employment, and other essential parts of life. Under current law, the only option for individuals seeking an identicard is to purchase one for $54. The Department of Licensing, under this bill, must issue an identicard to youth leaving juvenile rehabilitation at a production cost of $5. There is a pilot process in place to do this currently, but it is not funded. There are about 50 youth releasing from juvenile rehabilitation facilities each month, about 600 per year. Most of these youth do not have any other form of photo identification. This bill supports the Governor's executive order regarding building safe and strong communities through successful reentry.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Kagi, prime sponsor; and Marybeth Queral, Department of Social and Health Services.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.