Prisoners: identification cards.

Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure that all eligible inmates released from state prison have valid identification cards. Existing law also establishes requirements for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for persons in state prison who are exonerated, including transitional services and financial support, as specified. This bill would authorize the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to process original and renewal requests for California identification cards and all licenses contained in the Vehicle Code. The bill would authorize the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to take necessary steps to process original and renewal requests, such as obtaining Department of Motor Vehicles-approved cameras, obtaining documents on behalf of inmates, and administering licensing examinations, as specified. This bill would also require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to allow inmates to retain their prison-issued identification cards upon release and directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to accept this form of identification for California identification cards and driver's license applications, as specified. This bill would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prepare an annual report for the Legislature regarding this program that includes information about the number of inmates assisted, the number of facilities providing services, and impediments to program implementation. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the law pertaining to exonerated persons.