AB 717: Prisoners: identification cards.

Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure that all eligible inmates released from state prison have valid identification cards. Existing law also establishes requirements for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for persons in state prison who are exonerated, including transitional services and financial support, as specified. Existing law establishes an $8 fee for a replacement identification card issued to an eligible inmate upon release from a state or federal correctional facility or a county jail, as specified.

This bill would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that all inmates released from state prison are released with a valid California identification card or a duplicate or renewal drivers license, unless an inmate willfully chooses to not obtain a California identification card or drivers license. The bill would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where a valid California identification card or drivers license is not obtained before release, to provide the inmate with a photo prison identification card. The bill would require, among other things, that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation obtain Department of Motor Vehicles-approved cameras, determine the documentation inmates require for California identification cards and drivers licenses and provide inmates with the opportunity and means to obtain those documents, provide inmates with the opportunity and means to work with the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a California identification card or drivers license, and to make licensing examinations available to inmates. The bill would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prepare an annual report for the Legislature regarding this program that includes information about the number of inmates assisted, the number of facilities providing services, and impediments to program implementation. This bill would extend the $8 fee to an original or duplicate identification card as well as to an original, duplicate, or renewal drivers license issued to an inmate upon release, as specified.

This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the law pertaining to exonerated persons.