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REFERENCE TITLE: inmates; documentation; workforce reentry |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session 2023
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HB 2252 |
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Introduced by Representative Wilmeth
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An Act
amending title 41, chapter 11, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1610.03; relating to the state department of corrections.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 41, chapter 11, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1610.03, to read:
41-1610.03. Inmates; workforce and reentry; documentation; rules
A. The state department of corrections shall provide an inmate who is discharged from imprisonment for a felony offense and who intends to reside in this state with RELEVANT documentation to assist the inmate in obtaining postrelease employment and shall coordinate with the department of transportation to replace the inmate's current nonoperating identification license or driver license, if necessary, or to provide the inmate with a nonoperating identification license if the inmate does not possess a current nonoperating identification license or driver license.
B. Nine months before an inmate's release from custody, the state department of corrections, in coordination with the department of transportation, shall determine whether the inmate possesses a current and valid nonoperating identification license or driver license. If the inmate does not possess a current and valid nonoperating identification license or driver license, the state department of corrections shall begin gathering the documentation that is required for obtaining a nonoperating identification license.
C. The state department of corrections, in coordination with the department of transportation, shall provide a nonoperating identification license to each eligible inmate, on release from custody, who does not possess a current and valid nonoperating identification license or driver license. A nonoperating identification license or driver license that is issued to an inmate pursuant to this section shall be issued, replaced, canceled and denied in the same manner as a nonoperating identification license or a driver license pursuant to title 28, chapter 8, article 4.
D. The department of transportation shall allow copies of birth certificates along with a state department of corrections issued record card to serve as a valid form of photo identification to obtain a nonoperating identification license or driver license pursuant to subsection C of this section.
E. Notwithstanding title 28, chapter 8, article 4, a nonoperating identification license that is issued pursuant to subsection C of this section, for a fee to be determined by the department of transportation, is valid for four years from the month of issuance and is nonrenewable and nontransferable.
F. The state department of corrections shall provide any inmate who has served in the United States military with the contact information of the department of veterans' services along with the department of veterans' services veteran benefits guide.
G. The state DEPARTMENT of corrections may use any monies available to cover the costs associated with implementing and administering this section and to pay fees associated with issuing a nonoperating identification license or driver license, including inmate trust fund monies, existing department fund monies and donations.
H. To assist an inmate in obtaining postrelease employment, the state DEPARTMENT of corrections shall provide the inmate with the following DOCUMENTATION:
1. A copy of the inmate's vocational training record, if applicable.
2. A copy of the inmate's work record, if applicable.
3. A certified copy of the inmate's birth certificate, if obtainable.
4. A social security card or a replacement social security card.
5. A resume that includes any trade learned by the inmate and the inmate's proficiency at that trade.
6. Documentation that the inmate has completed a mock job interview.
I. The state DEPARTMENT of corrections shall notify an inmate if the inmate is eligible to apply for a license or certificate from a state agency that oversees occupational licenses or certifications.
J. Subsection H, paragraphs 5 and 6 do not apply to inmates who are any of the following:
1. Sixty-five years of age or older.
2. Being released for medical reasons or who are being discharged from a prison infirmary.
3. Being released to the custody of another jurisdiction on a warrant or detainer.
4. Determined by the state DEPARTMENT of corrections to be physically or mentally unable to return to the workforce on release from incarceration.
K. the state DEPARTMENT of corrections, the department of health services and the department of transportation may adopt rules to implement this section.