SB289 By Senator Ward RFD Judiciary Rd 1 10-MAR-20

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, the Department of Corrections is required to issue minimum documentation of identification to inmates upon release to allow the released inmate to obtain employment.

This bill would require the Department of Corrections to allow an inmate to apply for a non-driver identification card prior to release.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To amend Section 14-10-1, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the discharge of inmates; to require the Department of Corrections to allow an inmate to apply for a non-driver identification card prior to release.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 14-10-1, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§14-10-1.

"(a) The Department of Corrections shall adopt reasonable regulations and criteria to determine those state inmates that who require clothing and transportation upon the expiration of their term of custody, and before the expiration of their term of custody for each state inmate shall make a reasonable determination of whether or not the state inmate has ready and immediate access to clothing and transportation, that meet the requirements of this section. Each state inmate, who is determined to require clothing and transportation shall, at the expiration of his or her term of custody, shall be discharged from the custody and shall be furnished with clothes and with the least expensive mode of public transportation to the point where the inmate is to report for parole and probation supervision, or to the point of sentencing, to be paid from the Department of Corrections general operating funds. Clothing shall be of decent and reasonable quality for employment.

"(b) The Department of Corrections shall provide minimum documentation for identification, including a social security card and a birth certificate, necessary to obtain employment. The Department of Corrections, in conjunction with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, shall assist an inmate in obtaining a non-driver identification card, as required in Section 41-27-3.2.

"(c) Any inmate entitled to clothing and transportation may waive same, in which case the Department of Corrections shall not be required to make any payment in lieu of clothing and transportation. Each state inmate shall receive this clothing and transportation allowance only once per offense and multiple offenses being served consecutively or concurrently shall for this purpose be considered one offense; but the Department of Corrections may at its discretion furnish transportation as noted above upon any discharge. If such the inmate is charged with the commission of any other criminal offense, he or she must be delivered to the proper sheriff or officer to answer such the charge."

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency

Corrections Department

Licenses and Licensing

Code Amended