The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues driver's licenses and identicards to applicants who pay a fee and provide proof of their identity.
An applicant for a driver's license or identicard must provide the DOL with at least one of the following identifying documents that contains the signature and photograph of the applicant:
The Department of Corrections is required to provide incarcerated individuals certain services prior to their discharge, including identifying the individual's needs and connecting the individual with community resources.
The Department of Social and Health Services Facilities.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) operates three state hospitals for psychiatric treatment: Western State Hospital, the Child Study and Treatment Center, and Eastern State Hospital. The Child Study and Treatment Center treats minors aged 5 to 17 who are committed or referred for up to six months of inpatient treatment through the Children's Long-Term Inpatient Program, by managed care organizations or behavioral health administrative services organizations (BHASOs), or by the courts. Eastern State Hospital and Western State Hospital treat adult involuntary patients who are either civilly committed for treatment through the Involuntary Treatment Act or forensically committed for treatment related to criminal insanity or competency to stand trial through the criminal courts.
If a person is found to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) by a court, then the person is committed to the custody of the DSHS at the Special Commitment Center (SCC) on McNeil Island. The DSHS must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the DOL to allow residents in the SCC to obtain a state identification card through a written identification verification letter completed by the SCC.
If certain conditions are met, courts may grant unconditional or conditional release of an individual found to be an SVP. A conditional release of an SVP may be to a secure community transition facility (SCTF). The DSHS operates a SCTF on McNeil Island. A second SCTF is located in King County.
Prior to the discharge of an incarcerated individual, the Department of Corrections (DOC) must ensure that every consenting incarcerated individual has a valid identicard or driver's license issued by the Department of Licensing (DOL). The DOC is required to pay the application fee, provide a photo for use on the card, and obtain an acceptable signature from the individual. An individual may request that the photo used is not the individual's mug shot and does not indicate that the individual was incarcerated at the time the photo was taken. The DOL is required to ensure that the DOC has access to the appropriate DOL system to assist incarcerated individuals with obtaining a driver's license. Issuance of a driver's license or identicard must not cause a delay in the release of an individual from custody.
The DOC is required to issue a department identification card to individuals in a correctional facility for identification and use while in the facility. The DOC is also required to issue a department identification card to individuals in community custody upon request of the individual.
The state hospitals, the Special Commitment Center (SCC), secure community transition facilities (SCTFs), and residential treatment facilities operated by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) that provide mental health services must ensure that every consenting patient possesses a valid identicard prior to the individual's release from care. These entities must also pay any application fee, provide a photo of the patient, and obtain a signature or mark from the patient to use for an identicard. Issuance of an identicard must not cause a delay in the release of an individual from care.
The state hospitals, the SCC, SCTFs, and residential treatment facilities operated by the DSHS that provide mental health services must also provide a patient identification verification document to all individuals in the facility's custody. The patient identification verification document must include certain information, including the patient's photo and legal name.
In addition to the existing identifying documents that an applicant may use to apply for a driver's license or identicard, an applicant may also use a department identification card issued by the DOC or a patient identification verification document issued by a state hospital, the SCC, an SCTF, or a DSHS residential treatment facility.
By July 1, 2025, the DOL must, in consultation with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, develop a model policy, process, and informational materials for the DOL and governing units of city, county, and multijurisdictional jails to assist individuals in custody of a jail within obtaining an identicard.
A reference to "immigration and naturalization service form" is changed to "a citizenship and immigration services service form" for the purposes of identifying documents.
(In support) The Department of Corrections (DOC), Department of Licensing (DOL), and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) currently have processes for obtaining identification documents for individuals released from care and custody and this would streamline those processes. An effort has been made to get individuals IDs, but can there has not been consistency in obtaining IDs. People need IDs for long term stability and to access housing, bank accounts, social services, and government benefits. Successful reentry reduces recidivism. The cost of getting someone an ID outweighs the costs of trying to get people into services over and over again. Local corrections officials may not be best suited to help individuals with obtaining IDs and the DOL is better situated to facilitate this process. Local jurisdictions struggle with resources and would need additional funding from the Legislature to assist individuals with obtaining IDs.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) Having identification is critical to success in the first few hours of reentry. The DOC and DOL have been working closely together. The DOC will be working with DOL to allow DOC staff to have direct access to the appropriate portal to assist individuals with obtaining IDs. Additional funding is required.
(In support) Success in our public safety world means reducing victimizations. Most individuals that are incarcerated in jail or prison will eventually return to the community. The goal is to set these individuals up for success by ensuring that they have proper identification for small things such as being able to obtain prescriptions for treatment. This is an inexpensive way to help save costs in the future.
(Opposed) None.
(In support) Representative Darya Farivar, prime sponsor; Kelly Olson, Civil Survival Project; James McMahan, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; and Christina Mason, Washington Association of Drug Courts.
James McMahan, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
Ronni Batchelor.