BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2308 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 2308 (Stone) As Amended May 23, 2014 Majority vote PUBLIC SAFETY 6-0 APPROPRIATIONS 13-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Ammiano, Jones-Sawyer, |Ayes:|Gatto, Bocanegra, | | |Quirk, Skinner, Stone, | |Bradford, | | |Waldron | |Ian Calderon, Campos, | | | | |Eggman, Gomez, Holden, | | | | |Linder, Pan, Quirk, | | | | |Ridley-Thomas, Weber | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Requires the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure that all eligible inmates released from state prisons have valid identification cards. States that it is the intent of the legislature that the costs related to implementing the provisions of this bill be funded from the Recidivism Reduction Fund, as specified. EXISTING LAW : 1)Authorizes the DMV to issue an identification card to any person attesting to the true full name, correct age, and other identifying data as certified by the applicant for the identification card. Every application for an identification card shall be signed and verified by the applicant before a person authorized to administer oaths and shall be supported by bona fide documentary evidence of the age and identity of the applicant as DMV may require, and shall include a legible print of the thumb or finger of the applicant. 2)Provides that upon application for an original or duplicate license DMV may require the applicant to produce any identification that it determines is necessary in order to ensure that the name of the applicant stated in the application is his or her true, full name and that his or her residence address as set forth in the application is his or her true residence address. AB 2308 Page 2 3)States that DMV, notwithstanding any other law, shall require an application for a driver's license to contain the applicant's social security account number and any other number or identifier determined to be appropriate by the department. 4)Provides, notwithstanding the above provision, an applicant who provides satisfactory proof that his or her presence in the United States is authorized under federal law, but who is not eligible for a social security account number, is eligible to receive an original driver's license if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure. 5)Requires DMV to issue an original driver's license to a person who is unable to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure and provides satisfactory proof to the department of his or her identity and California residency. (Operative date of January 1, 2015, or on the date the director of DMV executes a specified declaration, whichever is sooner.) 6)States the finding of the Legislature that the period immediately following incarceration is critical to successful reintegration of the offender into society and to positive citizenship. It is in the interest of public safety for the state to provide for the effective supervision of and surveillance of parolees, including the judicious use of revocation actions, and to provide educational, vocational, family and personal counseling necessary to assist parolees in the transition between imprisonment and discharge. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, significant annual General Fund costs to CDCR and DMV, in the low millions of dollars, to expand the current effort to provide IDs to discharging inmates. CDCR estimates that to increase its current goal of 12,000 IDs per year to 30,000 (roughly the number of inmates discharged annually) would require about $800,000. DMV costs would be in the same range. COMMENTS : According to the author, "Assembly Bill 2308 will assist men and women in their transition to post-release life by requiring that they have a California ID card when they are AB 2308 Page 3 released. Without an ID card, released inmates cannot obtain a job, place to live, public benefits such as MediCal, or other necessities in the community. Moreover, the process of obtaining important documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and state ID cards, especially for those individuals who have been incarcerated for many years, can be daunting. If inmates can't access important services quickly, they may have difficulty successfully reintegrating into the community, and ultimately they may recidivate. Immediate access to MediCal is especially important for parolees who need medication to stay physically and mentally healthy. By removing a bureaucratic hurdle for parolees, this measure will assist men and women in their transition to post-release life and help reduce recidivism." Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion of this bill. Analysis Prepared by : Stella Choe / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0003710