Connecticut 2023 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 11 D · 10 R cosponsors

HB 6875 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF AN IDENTITY CARD OR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR'S LICENSE TO A PERSON BEING DISCHARGED FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 07, 2023. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on June 28, 2023.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 23 sponsors

    23 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (11 D · 10 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

115 added · 301 removed

115 line(s) added, 301 removed.

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House of Representatives File No.
Substitute House Bill No.
836 General Assembly January Session, 2023(Reprint of File No.
6875 Public Act No.
588) Substitute House Bill No.
23-88 AN ACT CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF AN IDENTITY CARD OR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR'S LICENSE TO A PERSON BEING DISCHARGED FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
6875 As Amended by House Amendment Schedule "A" Approved by the Legislative Commissioner May 26, 2023 AN ACT CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF AN IDENTITY CARD OR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR'S LICENSE TO A PERSON BEING DISCHARGED FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
(a) The Commissioners of Correction and Motor Vehicles shall [, within available appropriations,] ensure that [an inmate] a person who is incarcerated possesses [a state identification] an identity card issued pursuant to section 1-1h or a motor vehicle operator's license issued pursuant to chapter 246 at the time such [inmate] person is discharged or released from a correctional facility after serving any part of a term of imprisonment for a misdemeanor or felony conviction [, provided any such inmate (1) requests and qualifies for such identification card or license, and (2) pays any fee associated with obtaining such identification card or license.] with a sentence of not less than one year, sHB6875 / File No.
(a) The Commissioners of Correction and Motor Vehicles shall [, within available appropriations,] ensure that [an inmate] a person who is incarcerated possesses [a state identification] an identity card issued pursuant to section 1-1h or a motor vehicle operator's license issued pursuant to chapter 246 at the time such [inmate] person is discharged or released from a correctional facility after serving any part of a term of imprisonment for a misdemeanor or felony conviction [, provided any such inmate (1) requests and qualifies for such identification card or license, and (2) pays any fee associated with obtaining such identification card or license.] with a sentence of not less than one year, unless such person (1) indicates, in writing, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Correction, that such person does not wish to obtain such card or license, or (2) is otherwise ineligible for such card or license for reasons that include, but are not limited to, suspension, revocation or cancellationofmotor vehicleoperating provisionsinthisor any other Substitute House Bill No.
836 sHB6875 File No.
6875 state.
836 unless such person (1) indicates, in writing, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Correction, that such person does not wish to obtain such card or license, or (2) is otherwise ineligible for such card or license for reasons that include, but are not limited to, suspension, revocation or cancellationofmotor vehicleoperating provisionsinthisor any other state.
The Commissioner of Correction shall begin the process described in this subdivision not later than twenty-four months prior to the person's earliest date of eligibility for parole, and immediately begin the process for any person whose sentence is reduced, if the reduced sentence results in a date of discharge within twenty-four months or for any sHB6875 / File No.
The Commissioner of Correction shall begin the process described in this subdivision not later than twenty-four months prior to the person's earliest date of eligibility for parole, and immediately begin the process for any person whose sentence is reduced, if the reduced sentence results in a date of discharge within twenty-four months or for any person who is otherwise scheduled to be released with a date of discharge within twenty-four months;
836 sHB6875 File No.
and Public Act No.
836 person who is otherwise scheduled to be released with a date of discharge within twenty-four months;
23-88 2 of 5 Substitute House Bill No.
and (B) Not later than thirteen months prior to the date on which such person is to be discharged from the correctional facility, initiate a processthat allowssuchpersonto expeditiously obtainany additionally required documentation or photographs by providing (i) access to any forms, fees and fee waivers, within available appropriations, notary services and mailing-related needs, to secure the required documentation, and (ii) a means by which to obtain the required photographs.
6875 (B) Not later than thirteen months prior to the date on which such person is to be discharged from the correctional facility, initiate a processthat allowssuchpersonto expeditiously obtainany additionally required documentation or photographs by providing (i) access to any forms, fees and fee waivers, within available appropriations, notary services and mailing-related needs, to secure the required documentation, and (ii) a means by which to obtain the required photographs.
(2) The total number of identification cards and motor vehicle sHB6875 / File No.
(2) The total number of identification cards and motor vehicle Public Act No.
836 sHB6875 File No.
23-88 3 of 5 Substitute House Bill No.
836 operator's licenses issued to such persons by each individual state correctional facility;
6875 operator's licenses issued to such persons by each individual state correctional facility;
(b) On or before January 1, 2025, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall examine whether any feasible modifications can be made to expand the permissible forms of identification that may be utilized for purposes of obtaining operator's licenses and identity cards for persons who are incarcerated.
(b) On or before January 1, 2025, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall examine whether any feasible modifications can be made to expand the permissible forms of identification that may be utilized for purposes of obtaining operator's licenses and identity cards for persons Public Act No.
23-88 4 of 5 Substitute House Bill No.
6875 who are incarcerated.
sHB6875 / File No.
Approved June 28, 2023 Public Act No.
836 sHB6875 File No.
23-88 5 of 5
836 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 April 1, 2024 18-81ff Sec.
2 April 1, 2024 14-41c sHB6875 / File No.
836 5 sHB6875 File No.
836 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Correction, Dept.
GF - Cost 59,721 244,856 State Comptroller - Fringe GF - Cost 25,573 104,847 Benefits1 Department of Motor Vehicles TF - Cost Up to 5,000 Up to 20,000 Department of Motor Vehicles TF - Revenue See Below See Below Gain Note:
GF=General Fund;
TF=Transportation Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill requires the Department of Correction (DOC) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure certain incarcerated individuals have a state identity card or driver's license when they are released from a correctional facility resulting in the costs described below.
To meet the requirements of the bill the DOC will have to hire four new employees (three correctional counselor's and one financial clerk) for a cost to the DOC of $59,271 in FY 24 and $244,856 in FY 25, along with associated fringe benefit costs of $25,573 in FY 24 and $104,847 in 1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.
The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 42.82% of payroll in FY 24.
2The bill only includes renewal driver's licenses, it does not include issuing of initial drives license.
The costs in FY 24 reflect the bills effective date of April, 1, 2024.
sHB6875 / File No.
836 6 sHB6875 File No.
836 FY 25.
The amendment requires the DOC to:
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• Determine if each new inmate has an identity card or driver's license and when it expires.
• Determine the documentation needed 24 and 13 months before the discharge date for an inmate and facilitate the process by providing forms, fees, waivers, mailing, etc.
Currently, DOC and DMV must ensure an inmate possess an identity card or license if they request one, qualify for one, and pay the associated fees.
In FY 22 the DOC helped over 1,300 inmates secure a driver's license or a non-driver ID and approximately 8,000 inmates were discharged from correctional facilities.
The bill results in a cost to DMV of up to $5,000 in FY 24 and up to $20,000 in FY 25 for processing and issuance costs related to ID cards and license renewals.
The cost would be dependent on implementation decisionsmadebyDMVandDOC.The billalsoresultsinarevenuegain to the Special Transportation Fund for ID card and license renewal fees.
It is unknown how many additional incarcerated people will apply for IDs and driver's license renewals under the amendment.
House "A" strikes the underlying bill and its associated fiscal impact resulting in the impact described above.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation and the number of incarcerated people requesting ID cards and licenses.
sHB6875 / File No.
836 7 sHB6875 File No.
836 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 6875 (as amended by House "A")* AN ACT CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF AN IDENTITY CARD OR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR'S LICENSE TO A PERSON BEING DISCHARGED FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
SUMMARY This bill requires the Department of Correction (DOC) and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) commissioners to proactively ensure that eligible incarcerated individuals with sentences of at least one year have a state identity card or driver’s license when they are released from a correctional facility.
Under current law, the commissioners must ensure an incarcerated individual has a card or license if he or she requests and qualifies for one and pays any associated fee.
The bill instead requires the commissioners to do so unless the person (1) indicates in writing, on a DOC commissioner-prescribedform,that heor shedoesnot want acard or license or (2) is otherwise ineligible for one due to suspension, revocation,or cancellationofmotor vehicleprovisionsinConnecticut or another state.
It also (1) imposes deadlines by which the commissioners must start helping incarcerated individuals get necessary documentation and (2) generally eliminates the requirement that the commissioners do so within available appropriations.
The bill’s card and license requirements apply to those who are released or discharged from a correctional facility after serving any part of a prison term for a misdemeanor or felony conviction, rather than just those released, as under current law.
The bill requires the DMV commissioner to conduct a feasibility sHB6875 / File No.
836 8 sHB6875 File No.
836 examination on expanding the allowable forms of identification an incarcerated individual may use to obtain an identification card and driver’s license.
It also requires the DOC commissioner to annually report to the Judiciary Committee certain statistics, issues, and recommendations on giving these cards and licenses to incarcerated individuals.
*House Amendment “A” (1) delays the effective date from July 1, 2023, to April 1, 2024;
(2) limits the bill’s applicability to those sentenced for at least oneyear;
(3)eliminatestheunderlying bill’srequirement that DOC give incarcerated individuals an initial driver’s license;
(4) only requires providing access to fees and fee waivers within available appropriations;
(5) eliminates the underlying bill’s provision on those with life imprisonment;
(6) adds the feasibility study provisions;
and (7) makes various minor, technical, and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1, 2024 STATE IDENTITY CARD AND DRIVER’S LICENSE When a person is taken into DOC custody, the bill requires the DOC commissioner, in consultation and collaboration with the DMV commissioner, to determine whether the person has a current state identity card or driver’s license and, if so, the date it expires.
For any individual sentenced to a term of imprisonment who wants an initial state identity card, to renew a driver’s license or card, or obtain a duplicate of a lost card or license, the DOC commissioner, in consultation and collaboration with the DMV commissioner, must:
1.
at least 24 months before the person’s discharge date, determine the documentation needed for the cardor license and help enable the person to quickly get this documentation by providing access to any forms, fees, and fee waivers, within available appropriations, and notary services and mailing-related needs;
and 2.
at least 13 months before the person’s discharge date, similarly sHB6875 / File No.
836 9 sHB6875 File No.
836 enable him or her to quickly get any more required documentation or photographs by providing the same access as listed above and a way to get required photographs.
The DOC commissioner must also begin the process within the same timeframes above based on a person’s earliest eligibility date for parole.
For those whose sentences are reduced to a discharge date within these timeframes (24 months and 13 months), the commissioner must immediately begin the process.
Underthebill,whena personwhorequestedassistance gettingacard or license is released from a correctional facility, DOC must give the person their card or license unless he or she was ineligible to receive one.
FEASIBILITY EXAMINATION The bill requires the DMV commissioner, by January 1, 2025, to examine whether any feasible modifications can be made to expand the allowable forms of identification that incarcerated individuals may use to obtain a driver’s license or identity card.
The commissioner must implement any modifications he determines are feasible.
ANNUAL REPORT By January 1, 2025, the DOC commissioner, in collaboration with the DMV commissioner, must begin annually reporting to the Judiciary Committee on:
1.
the total number of formerly incarcerated individuals who were issued renewal or duplicate state identity cards and driver’s licenses, separated by card and license type;
2.
the total number of cards and licenses issued to individuals in each individual correctional facility;
3.
the total number of incarcerated individuals who were not able to be issued an identity card or driver’s license, disaggregated to the extent possible by reason for non-issuance;
and sHB6875 / File No.
836 10 sHB6875 File No.
836 4.
any issues the commissioners encountered in implementing the bill and feasibility examination, and any recommendations for improving or resolving them.
COMMITTEE ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Yea 37 Nay 0 (03/27/2023) Appropriations Committee Joint Favorable Yea 53 Nay 0 (05/01/2023) sHB6875 / File No.
836 11
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Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 23-88

  5. IN CONCURRENCE

  6. SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. FILE NO. 836

  9. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 561

  10. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  11. HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  12. HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  13. TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  14. NO NEW FILE BY COMM. ON Appropriations

  15. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  16. FILED WITH LCO

  17. Joint Favorable

  18. REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

  19. FILE NO. 588

  20. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 359

  21. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  22. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  23. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/12/23

  24. FILED WITH LCO

  25. Joint Favorable

  26. PUBLIC HEARING 0315

  27. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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23 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 164 not signed on

Sponsors (23)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (164)

164 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 6875?
HB 6875 is sponsored by Matt Blumenthal (Democratic), William Pizzuto (Republican), Craig C. Fishbein (Republican), David Rutigliano (Republican), Joan V. Hartley (Democratic), Doug Dubitsky (Republican), Gaston, Herron, Jason Rojas (Democratic), Juan R. Candelaria (Democratic), Patricia A. Dillon (Democratic), Porter, Robyn A., Christopher Rosario (Democratic), Jason Doucette (Democratic), John A. Kissel (Republican), Devin R. Carney (Republican), Eric C. Berthel (Republican), Saud Anwar (Democratic), Josh Elliott (Democratic), Anthony L. Nolan (Democratic), Hubert D. Delany (Democratic), Tony J. Scott (Republican), Steve Weir (Republican), and Seth Bronko (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 6875?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 07, 2023. Enacted.
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