Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
03/12/2020 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB183 | |
| SJR14 | |
| SB210 | |
| SB209 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 209 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 183 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 209-DRIVER LICENSES & IDENT. CARDS FOR INMATES
4:01:32 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 209,
"An Act relating to state identifications and driver's licenses
for persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections;
relating to the duties of the commissioner of corrections; and
providing for an effective date."
4:01:53 PM
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
speaking as the sponsor of SB 209, said that this bill is an
attempt to improve the success of people leaving Alaska's
prisons. Reentry is not easy because of the statutory
requirements after release. These people are required to stay
clean and sober, to seek and find work and housing, and not
commit new crimes. To fulfill these requirements and succeed in
society generally requires an identification card (ID) but not
everyone leaving prison has a valid driver's license or ID. The
Department of Corrections (DOC) recognizes this problem and
currently provides people leaving an institution with a face
sheet that has the person's photo and name. The person can take
this face sheet to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and
obtain a driver's license, if applicable, or an ID card, which
the DOC pays for. However, this is an imperfect solution.
4:04:15 PM
SENATOR KIEHL related that those in the reentry community say
there have been problems with the face sheets and repeated trips
to DMV have been necessary. These trips can take up to half a
day and take time away from meeting with a probation or parole
officer, obtaining treatment, or applying for jobs. It is also a
problem that these individuals will leave DMV with a temporary
ID or license. A mailing address is required to get their
permanent card or license and people coming out of prison often
do not have that right away.
SENATOR KIEHL emphasized that if inmates who serve a significant
amount of time in prison could leave the correctional
institution with an ID card or license, it would remove one
barrier to successful reentry. This could help reduce
recidivism, he said.
4:05:49 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked how this will address the REAL ID
requirements.
SENATOR KIEHL answered that the bill does not cover REAL ID,
although some in the reentry community would like to add a
provision to include REAL ID. He related his understanding that
DOC has begun to look at REAL ID, but he could not speak for the
department. He said it is worth noting that most people on
probation and parole and probably have restrictions on their
travel so they may need to pursue REAL IDs later. Nevertheless,
this is worth looking because solving that additional hurdle
would be a benefit.
4:07:34 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked Ms. Olsen from DMV if people on probation and
parole who have travel restrictions would be prevented from
obtaining a REAL ID.
4:08:03 PM
JOANNE OLSEN, Interim Director, Division of Motor Vehicles
(DMV), Department of Administration, Anchorage, Alaska, answered
that people with an existing DMV record would be eligible for a
noncompliant federal ID. If they want to obtain a REAL ID, the
division will give the person the information needed and the
contacts to obtain a certified birth certificate, social
security card, or whatever the requirements are at the time.
CHAIR REVAK asked if the noncompliant federal ID would suffice
for those in reentry as identification for state agencies.
MS. OLSEN said that is correct.
4:09:32 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked what information is needed for an update
when the person already has a REAL ID.
MS. OLSEN answered that the person's information would already
have been verified so that person could get a duplicate REAL ID.
SENATOR WILSON commented on the number of people in pretrial who
are felons who have not been charged [sic] and asked how this
bill would affect the pretrial population.
SENATOR COGHILL asked if he meant that the defendants have not
yet been convicted of felonies.
SENATOR WILSON agreed that he was referring to convictions, not
charges.
4:10:53 PM
SENATOR KIEHL answered that the bill would apply to those
offenders who have been sentenced and have served at least 120
days. He said DOC indicated that would give the department time
to work with DMV to get the state ID or license issued and
transferred to the DOC prior to the person's release. He
explained that it is tough to know when those in pretrial will
be released. The bill seeks to establish a practical and
workable program that DOC could implement once the bill becomes
effective.
4:11:42 PM
SENATOR COGHILL commented that it could be complicated since
some people in pretrial have been previously convicted on
another charge. He agreed with the concept since those
reentering society cannot obtain any help without a valid ID.
CHAIR REVAK asked the sponsor to explain the ID process outlined
in the bill.
4:12:24 PM
SENATOR KIEHL stated that SB 209 would apply to the sentenced
population. He suggested that the Department of Corrections
could best explain the practical details of the process to issue
an ID.
4:14:22 PM
KELLY HOWELL, Legislative Liaison, Department of Corrections
(DOC), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that the sponsor worked with
DOC to make sure that this process would work for the agency.
She explained that Section 3 requires the Department of
Corrections and the Department of Administration to work to
ensure that an inmate leaving a correctional institution has a
state identification prior to release. She suggested that Ms.
Brooks could speak to the logistics.
4:15:29 PM
LAURA BROOKS, Operations Manager, Division of Health &
Rehabilitation Services, Department of Corrections, Anchorage,
Alaska, advised that DOC currently provides inmates with
identification and under the bill would provide DMV something
similar, including a photo. The DMV would mail DOC the hard copy
of the ID and DOC would give it to the inmate.
CHAIR REVAK asked if DOC has the capacity to do this.
MS. BROOKS answered yes. The department currently has a process
in place to print the information and update inmate photos.
Inmates are photographed during the booking process and
periodically thereafter, as necessary. She said the department
has not worked out the details for this process, but it is
feasible.
SENATOR WILSON asked if DOC has updated its cameras similar to
what DMV has done.
MS. BROOKS said she was not certain when the cameras were last
upgraded, but she would follow up with the information.
SENATOR WILSON questioned the zero fiscal note since it would
require an inmate to leave the facility with an ID.
4:17:38 PM
MS. HOWELL answered that not every offender will need an ID. She
reported that typically about 12 percent of the prison
population has requested a paper ID to take to DMV. The
department believes it has the capacity to take this on with
existing staff and budget.
SENATOR WILSON expressed interest in the figures and an estimate
of any increases. He said he would defer to the next committee
to further consider the impact.
CHAIR REVAK noted that the next committee of referral is the
finance committee.
4:19:23 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked if DOC currently has a working relationship
with DMV and, if so, in what capacity.
MS. HOWELL answered yes; the Department of Corrections (DOC) and
the Department of Administration (DOA) have worked together on
the REAL ID issues.
CHAIR REVAK asked Ms. Olsen for her perspective on SB 209.
MS. OLSEN answered that DMV has worked well with DOC.
CHAIR REVAK said he attended a reentry simulation and this bill
likely stems from that process. It was a wakeup call to see what
people might experience as they reintegrate from DOC
institutions into the communities. He expressed appreciation for
the intent of SB 209.
4:21:40 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony on SB 209.
4:22:06 PM
LINDA SETTERBERG, Coordinator, Reentry Coalition, Fairbanks,
Alaska, stated support for SB 209. She said it has been the
coalition's experience that obtaining an ID or driver's license
is a barrier for some clients. Receiving an ID before leaving a
correctional facility would facilitate the reentry experience.
4:23:14 PM
CHAIR REVAK closed public testimony on SB 209 and held the bill
in committee for future consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 209 Sponsor Statement 2.25.2020.pdf |
SSTA 3/12/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 209 |
| SB 209 Sectional Analysis v. K 2.25.2020.pdf |
SSTA 3/12/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 209 |
| SB 210 Statutes 3.6.2020.pdf |
SSTA 3/12/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 210 |
| SB 210-DMV License Plates 3.6.2020.pdf |
SSTA 3/12/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 210 |
| SB 210-Sponsor Statement 3.6.2020.pdf |
SSTA 3/12/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 210 |
| SB 210-Backup- License Plate Legislation Past Ten Years 3.6.2020.pdf |
SSTA 3/12/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 210 |