BILL NUMBER: S1149

SPONSOR: BENJAMIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the correction law, in relation to providing identifica-
tion cards to inmates upon release from incarceration

 
PURPOSE:

To improve the re-entry of formerly incarcerated individuals by removing
an unnecessary stigma and help those individuals become productive
members of society by giving them the same documentation as any other
person.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 creates a new section 11 of the Corrections Law to require the
commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision to work together
with the commissioner of Motor Vehicles to provide state identity cards
to convicts leaving the custody of the department of Corrections and
              

Community Supervision or the federal bureau of prisons, if those leaving
federal prison are New York residents. This identification card shall be
identical to the non-driver identification card issued by the Department
of Motor Vehicles and shall be free of charge.

Section 2 renders ineffective any regulations that hinder the execution
of this law.

 
EXISTING LAW:

None

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Individuals leaving incarceration face a number of obstacles to
re-building their lives and becoming productive citizens. Many of life's
necessities, including opening a bank account, getting an apartment or
applying for a job can require providing photo identification issued by
a government entity. Currently, those leaving custody an got an iden-
tification card from the Department of Corrections and Community Super-
vision. However, this card clearly identifies this person as a former
convict. As such, it adds a level of stigma to those who use it.

When a person leaves prison or jail, collecting one's documents can be
extremely difficult and time-consuming. Getting a state non-driving
identity card at a DMV or County Clerk's office, carries a fee, and can
take the state two weeks to process.

A person leaving the corrections system usually will have enough advance
notice of release that the state can arrange for them to have a non-
stigmatized identification card upon release.  Removing these obstacles
will help those re-entering in their efforts to become productive
members of society.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S7228/A10698

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal costs

 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The first of the year following passage.