Substitute House Bill No. 6875, Public Act No. 23-88, is an act concerning the issuance of an identity card or motor vehicle operator's license to a person being discharged from a correctional facility. The act mandates that the Commissioners of Correction and Motor Vehicles ensure that a person who is incarcerated and is being discharged or released from a correctional facility after serving any part of a term of imprisonment for a misdemeanor or felony conviction possesses an identity card or a motor vehicle operator's license, unless the person indicates in writing that they do not wish to obtain such a card or license, or is ineligible for reasons such as suspension or revocation of motor vehicle operating privileges. The requirement for the inmate to request and qualify for such identification, pay any associated fees, and the stipulation of "within available appropriations" have been removed from the previous law.

The act also outlines the procedures for facilitating the issuance of these documents, including ascertaining whether the person has a valid identity card or license and its expiration date upon commitment to the correctional facility, and initiating processes to obtain necessary documentation and photographs for the card or license well in advance of the person's discharge date. The Commissioner of Correction is tasked with providing the necessary forms, fee waivers, notary services, and mailing-related needs to secure the required documentation. Additionally, the act requires the Commissioner of Correction, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, to report annually to the General Assembly on the number of identity cards and licenses issued, the number of incarcerated persons not issued such documents and the reasons for nonissuance, as well as any issues encountered in implementing these provisions and recommendations for resolving them. The act is effective from April 1, 2024, and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is also directed to examine and potentially implement feasible modifications to expand the permissible forms of identification for incarcerated persons by January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 18-81ff
JUD Joint Favorable: 18-81ff
File No. 588: 18-81ff
APP Joint Favorable: 18-81ff
File No. 836: 18-81ff, 14-41c
Public Act No. 23-88: 18-81ff, 14-41c