ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: COM DPA 7-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read: DPA 29-0-1-0 House: MAPS DP 15-0-0-0

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SB1290: inmates; documentation; workforce reentry.

Sponsor: Senator Kaiser, LD 2

Caucus & COW

Overview

Prescribes requirements for the Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC) to assist inmates in obtaining relevant documentation needed for postrelease employment.

History

The purpose of DOC is to encompass various institutions, facilities and programs which are a part of the correctional program of this state. DOC also provides supervisory staff and administrative functions at the state level for all matters relating to the institutionalization, rehabilitation and community supervision of adult offenders (A.R.S. § 41-1602).

Before a prisoner's discharge, DOC must issue either a driver's license or a nonoperating identification license (License) to the prisoner, if eligible. Any fees for the License are to be withdrawn from the prisoner's spendable or dedicated discharge account (A.R.S. § 31-228).

Provisions

1. Requires DOC to provide an inmate who is discharged from imprisonment for a felony offense, and who intends to reside in Arizona, with relevant documentation to assist the inmate in obtaining postrelease employment. (Sec. 1)

2. Directs DOC, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), to replace an inmate's License or to provide him with a nonoperating identification license if he does not possess a current License. (Sec. 1)

3. Instructs DOC, in coordination with ADOT, to determine whether an inmate possesses a current and valid License nine months before his release; if he does not possess such, DOC is to begin gathering the documentation required for obtaining a nonoperating identification license. (Sec. 1)

4. Stipulates that a License issued to an inmate is to be issued, replaced, canceled and denied in the same manner as any other License. (Sec. 1)

5. Requires that DOC provide any inmate who has served in the United States military with contact information for the Arizona Department of Veteran Services and with its benefits guide. (Sec. 1)

6. Allows DOC to use any monies available to cover the costs associated with implementing and administering documentation and pay fees associated with issuing a License, including Inmate Trust Fund monies, existing department fund monies and donations. (Sec. 1)

7. Outlines specified documentation, including ID documents, training records and work records, that DOC must provide to an inmate to assist in obtaining postrelease employment. (Sec. 1)

8. Directs DOC to notify an inmate of eligibility to apply for a license or certificate from a state agency that oversees occupational licenses or certifications. (Sec. 1)

9. Excludes, from the requirement to receive specified career-related documentation provided by DOC, inmates who are any of the following:

a) 65 years of age or older;

b) Being released for medical reasons or who are being discharged from a prison infirmary;

c) Being released to the custody of another jurisdiction o a warrant or detainer; and

d) Determined by DOC to be physically or mentally unable to return to the workforce on release from incarceration. (Sec. 1)

10. Allows DOC, the Department of Health Services and ADOT to adopt rules to implement the aforesaid documentation requirements. (Sec. 1)

11. Contains a delayed effective date of January 1, 2024. (Sec. 2)

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                        SB 1290

Initials NM/CV Page 0 Caucus & COW

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