SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6280

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 Senate Committee On:

Human Services & Corrections, January 17, 2018

Title: An act relating to issuing an identicard for offenders released from prison facilities.

Brief Description: Issuing an identicard for offenders released from prison facilities.

Sponsors: Senators Darneille, O'Ban, Kuderer, Hasegawa and Conway.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/16/18, 1/17/18 [DP-TRAN].

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to collaborate with the Department of Licensing (DOL) to provide two-year identicards to offenders released in Washington State.
Allows DOL to charge DOC a fee of $18 for the identicard.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Transportation.

Signed by Senators Darneille, Chair; Dhingra, Vice Chair; O'Ban, Ranking Member; Carlyle, Frockt, Miloscia and Walsh.

Staff: Kevin Black (786-7747)

Background: DOL issues identicards, containing a picture, to applicants who:

do not hold a valid Washington driver's license;
prove their identity as required by law; and
pay the required fee.

An identicard expires six years after the applicant's first birthday after the identicard is issued. The fee for an identicard is $54, but an identicard must be provided at cost to an applicant who: (1) is receiving continuing public assistance grants and is referred in writing by the Department of Social and Health Services; or (2) is under 18 years of age and does not have a permanent residence.

Summary of Bill: DOC must work in conjunction with DOL to create and implement an identicard program to provide offenders released in Washington State with a state-issued identicard. An offender is eligible for an identicard if the offender:

meets DOL criteria;
is sentenced to the custody of DOC and is incarcerated with an earned release date that is more than one year from the offender's admission date;
is expected to be released to a location within Washington State; and
does not have a current, valid state-issued identification card.

An identicard issued by DOC under this act must expire two years from the first anniversary of the offender's birthdate after issuance. DOL may charge DOC $18 as a fee for issuance. DOC and DOL have the discretion to implement this act over a period of 12 months following January 1, 2019.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2018.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill removes a step compared to last year's bill. DOC is building a statewide approach to recidivism reduction. This bill will improve public safety by providing individuals being released with current photo identification. Obtaining an ID is a cornerstone to successful reentry. ID is needed to access housing, treatment services, and employment. This version allows DOC to pay the fee of $18 on behalf of the individual. This bill helps the people who need it the most: those with mental health or substance abuse issues and those processing being released from a long period incarceration. This small step will help more than you realize.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Darneille, prime sponsor; Danielle Armbruster, DOC; Christopher Poulos, WA Statewide Reentry Council.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.