HB 677: RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 353H-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) through (c) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The department, in collaboration with the department of transportation and the examiner of drivers of each county, shall inform inmates that departmental assistance is available to obtain civil identification cards, in accordance with part XVI of chapter 286, and upon request shall assist inmates [who have one year or less prior to the inmate's parole or release date remaining on their prison sentence] in obtaining a civil identification card[.] as soon as practicable but at least one year before the inmate's parole or release date.

     (b)  The department, in collaboration with appropriate federal, state, and county agencies, shall also inform inmates of the availability of departmental assistance to obtain the inmate's birth certificate, social security card, and any other relevant identification documents necessary for the inmate to transition into the workforce, access social services, secure or verify applicable medicaid eligibility, and secure housing, and upon request shall assist the inmates [who have one year or less prior to the inmate's parole or release date.] in obtaining the identifying documents as soon as practicable but at least one year before the inmate's parole or release date.

     (c)  For an inmate released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, the department [of corrections and rehabilitation] shall initiate the process of assisting the inmate pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) [at least ninety days prior to the inmate being released] by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate[.] as soon as practicable but at least ninety days before the inmate's release date."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DCR; Offender Reentry; Identification Documents; Departmental Assistance

Description:

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, to assist inmates in obtaining the inmates' civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable.  Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to identification.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 353H-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) through (c) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The department, in collaboration with the department of transportation and the examiner of drivers of each county, shall inform inmates that departmental assistance is available to obtain civil identification cards, in accordance with part XVI of chapter 286, and upon request shall assist inmates [who have one year or less prior to the inmate's parole or release date remaining on their prison sentence] in obtaining a civil identification card[.] as soon as practicable but at least one year before the inmate's parole or release date.

     (b)  The department, in collaboration with appropriate federal, state, and county agencies, shall also inform inmates of the availability of departmental assistance to obtain the inmate's birth certificate, social security card, and any other relevant identification documents necessary for the inmate to transition into the workforce, access social services, secure or verify applicable medicaid eligibility, and secure housing, and upon request shall assist the inmates [who have one year or less prior to the inmate's parole or release date.] in obtaining the identifying documents as soon as practicable but at least one year before the inmate's parole or release date.

     (c)  For an inmate released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, the department [of corrections and rehabilitation] shall initiate the process of assisting the inmate pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) [at least ninety days prior to the inmate being released] by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate[.] as soon as practicable but at least ninety days before the inmate's release date."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DCR; Offender Reentry; Identification Documents; Departmental Assistance

Description:

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, to assist inmates in obtaining the inmates' civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable.  Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  687

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 677

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 677, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to:

     (1)  In collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, assist inmates in obtaining their civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable, but no later than one year before the inmate's parole or release date; and

     (2)  Initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable, but no later than ninety days before the inmate's release date.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Waikiki Health; Community Alliance on Prisons; Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaiʻi; and five individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has made progress in collaborating with agencies, including the counties and Social Security Administration, and facilitating access to identification documents.  However, significant gaps remain in informing individuals in custody about available assistance, prioritizing support for those within one year of release, adhering to prescribed timelines, and providing forms in the individual's primary language.  This measure will improve the timeliness in which individuals in custody are informed of and receive departmental assistance in obtaining applicable identification documents.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 677, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  79

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 677

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 677 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to:

     (1)  In collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, assist inmates in obtaining their civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable, but no later than one year before the inmate's parole or release date; and

     (2)  Initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable, but no later than ninety days before the inmate's release date.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Office of the Public Defender; Waikiki Health; Community Alliance on Prisons; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi; and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee finds that this measure is one way to help individuals leaving the correctional system to reintegrate into society as smoothly as possible.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 677, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 677, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,