In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation that will help to increase parole compliance, reduce recidivism, and facilitate reentry for formerly incarcerated Pennsylvanians by ensuring they are provided with vital documents ahead of their release. 

 

Without proper identification, people can’t access housing, employment, or government services; rent a car; book a hotel room; patronize certain business; or participate in a host of other commonplace activities that many of us take for granted. For Pennsylvanians returning from incarceration, having these documents on hand can make the difference between their successful reentry and a return to prison. Unfortunately, after years of incarceration, many people have lost possession of these vital documents, as well as the necessary components to request replacements for them. As we all well know, the process to replace these documents can be arduous, expensive, and logistically complicated, even for the most well resourced among us. Our Commonwealth has the opportunity to ensure that people begin their return to their communities on the right foot by requiring the Department of Corrections to work in concert with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Human Services to help returning Pennsylvanians obtain a state ID, driver’s license, birth certificate, and/or social security card. 

 

As of 2024, 17 states have passed legislation or policies to provide formerly incarcerated people with documentation before or immediately after their release, including Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, New York, Illinois, and Michigan. This bill joins Rep. Kinkead’s HB728 in calling for these simple and effective steps to promote a successful re-entry from incarceration. 

 

Please join me in providing the best second chance we can to our returning Pennsylvanians by cosponsoring this commonsense piece of legislation.