Committee moves bill to ensure people released from DOC get ID or documentation for DMV
Summary
HB 2,221 would require the Department of Corrections to provide state identification cards or supporting documentation to incarcerated people before release; the committee voted to report the measure and re-refer it to finance, 15–0.
The Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee voted to report and re-refer to finance a bill that would require the Virginia Department of Corrections to either provide state identification cards to people before discharge or, if an ID cannot be issued, provide a DMV-acceptable form containing proof of identity and eligibility.
Delegate Cousins explained the bill as intended to reduce barriers to housing, employment and social services for people returning from incarceration. She said DOC data show many released people leave without state identification; the bill would require DOC to provide an ID or an offender identification form that the DMV must accept to verify criteria. The patron cited executive order 36 from the governor as background emphasizing ID as a critical reentry step.
The committee adopted two technical amendments to language (for example clarifying "former prisoner" in a line) and heard brief supportive remarks from advocates and a public defender who described lack of ID as a practical barrier to reentry. Senator Carol Foy moved to report; the committee recorded 15 ayes and 0 no votes to report the bill and sent it on to finance for fiscal consideration.
Supporters noted that 17 other states require departments of correction to provide identification. The committee noted the bill does have fiscal implications and re-referred it to finance for review.
