HB 167: PUBLIC SFTY/CORRECTIONS: Provides for the issuance of certain documentation to inmates before their release from incarceration (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX) - Louisiana

Senate Floor Bureau Note, #4349, Foil, Adopted → HB167 Act 785 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a Senate floor amendment draft into an enrolled act, finalizing its text for signature. The core policy remains focused on helping inmates secure post-release employment by providing them with specific identification and documentation. Key substantive changes include the establishment of a new statute (R.S. 15:828.5) requiring the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to issue special identification cards to eligible inmates within nine months of their release. The act also mandates the department provide copies of educational credentials, work records, birth certificates, and social security cards to assist with reentry.

Scope change

The bill's scope is now formally enacted as R.S. 15:828.5, expanding the Department of Public Safety and Corrections' duties to include proactive issuance of special identification cards and the provision of specific reentry documentation.

REQUIREMENT

Mandates the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to coordinate with the Office of Motor Vehicles to issue special identification cards to inmates within nine months prior to release.

Requires the department to provide inmates with copies of their educational/vocational credentials, work records, birth certificates, and social security cards to assist with employment.

DEFINITION

Defines 'master prison record' as a detailed calculation of the prison sentence including release dates, time served, and credits for good behavior.

TIMELINE

Sets a specific timeline requiring the identification card process to begin nine months prior to the inmate's release.

FISCAL

Authorizes the department to use available funds, inmate trust funds, and donations to cover implementation costs and card purchases.

TECHNICAL

Converted the document from a draft Senate amendment format into an enrolled act format with official signatures and statutory numbering.

HB167 Original → Senate Floor Bureau Note, #4349, Foil, Adopted · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify that the new documentation requirements apply only to inmates housed in state correctional facilities. Additionally, the Senate removed specific exemptions that previously allowed elderly inmates, those on medical parole, and those released on detainers to bypass certain job interview and resume requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed to explicitly apply only to inmates housed in state correctional facilities, and specific exemptions for certain vulnerable inmate populations were removed.

SCOPE

Added language to restrict the bill's application to inmates housed in state correctional facilities.

ELIGIBILITY

Deleted exemptions that previously allowed inmates aged 65 or older, those on medical parole, and those released on detainers to skip resume and job interview requirements.

TECHNICAL

Changed a reference from 'is' to 'has been' and adjusted punctuation in a legal citation.

HB167 Enrolled → HB167 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to expand its legal scope by adding new statutes and clarifying the types of documentation inmates receive. It significantly altered the list of required documents, replacing general credentials with specific vocational records, resumes, and job interview completion proofs. New exemptions were added to allow certain inmates (such as the elderly or those medically unable to work) to bypass the requirement to complete job training and interviews before release.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include the enactment of R.S. 828.6 and Code of Evidence Article 416, and the definition of the department was clarified to include the office of adult services.

SCOPE

The bill now enacts two new statutes (828.5 and 828.6) and adds a new article to the Code of Evidence, expanding its legal reach beyond the original single statute.

The definition of the 'department' was modified to explicitly include the office of adult services in addition to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the office of motor vehicles.

REQUIREMENT

The list of documents provided to inmates was updated to specifically include vocational training records, a resume detailing skills, and proof of job interview completion, replacing the previous list of general educational and work records.

ELIGIBILITY

New criteria were established to exempt specific groups of inmates from the requirement to complete job training and interviews before release, including those over 65, those released on medical parole, and those deemed physically or mentally unable to work.

DEFINITION

The term 'master prison record' was replaced with 'time computation record' to more accurately describe the document used for photo identification purposes.

HB167 Engrossed → HB167 Enrolled · 5 edits · May 31, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled law, removing the legislative digest and house/senate markings. Substantively, the eligibility criteria were broadened to apply to all inmates released from felony terms, regardless of whether they designated a residence within the state. The special identification card process was clarified to allow inmates to use their birth certificate and master prison record for photo ID, and the card is now explicitly defined as nonrenewable and valid for six years. The department is also required to provide specific post-release employment assistance documents, such as educational credentials and work records.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include all inmates released from felony terms, removing the previous requirement that they must have designated a residence within the state.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the requirement that inmates must designate a residence within the state to receive documentation for post-release employment.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific mandate for the department to provide inmates with copies of educational credentials, work records, and birth certificates to assist with finding employment.

Established that the special identification card is nonrenewable, nontransferable, and valid for six years from the month of issuance.

DEFINITION

Defined 'master prison record' as a detailed calculation of the sentence including time served, good behavior, and program participation.

TECHNICAL

Removed the legislative digest, house/senate speaker signatures, and page count discrepancies found in the engrossed version.

PUBLIC SFTY/CORRECTIONS: Provides for the issuance of certain documentation to inmates before their release from incarceration (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

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