HB1969 - Relating to providing inmates with certain documents on release or discharge; changing a fee.

  89R26631 MCF-D     By: Collier H.B. No. 1969     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1969:     By:  Allen C.S.H.B. No. 1969       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to providing inmates with certain documents on release or   discharge; changing a fee.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 501.015(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  When an inmate is discharged or is released on parole,   mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon, the department shall   provide the inmate with:                (1)  suitable civilian clothing;                (2)  money held in the inmate's trust account by the   director;                (3)  cash, in an amount and in the manner described by   Subsection (b); and                (4)  a license or personal identification certificate   obtained under Section 501.0165, if available.          SECTION 2.  Sections 501.0165(a), (b), and (c), Government   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  Before discharging an inmate or releasing an inmate on   parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon, the   department shall:                (1)  determine whether the inmate has:                      (A)  a valid license issued under Chapter 521 or   522, Transportation Code; or                      (B)  a valid personal identification certificate   issued under Chapter 521, Transportation Code; and                (2)  if the inmate does not have a valid license or   certificate described by Subdivision (1), submit to the Department   of Public Safety on behalf of the inmate a request for the issuance   of :                       (A)     a renewal license under Chapter 521,   Transportation Code, if:                             (i)     the inmate's license issued under that   chapter is expired but eligible for renewal; and                             (ii)     the inmate meets the requirements for   the issuance of the license; or                       (B)   a personal identification certificate under   Chapter 521, Transportation Code.          (b)  The department shall submit a request under Subsection   (a)(2) as soon as is practicable to enable the department to provide   the inmate with the license or personal identification certificate   when the department discharges or releases the inmate.          (c)  The department, the Department of Public Safety, and the   [ bureau of ] vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health   Services shall by rule adopt a memorandum of understanding that   establishes their respective responsibilities with respect to the   issuance of a license or personal identification certificate to an   inmate under this section , including responsibilities related to   verification of the inmate's identity. The memorandum of   understanding must require the Department of State Health Services   to electronically verify the birth record of an inmate whose name   and any other personal information is provided by the department   and to electronically report the recorded filing information to the   Department of Public Safety to validate the identity of an inmate   under this section.          SECTION 3.  Section 521.421(a-1), Transportation Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a-1)  The fee for a renewal driver's license or a personal   identification certificate issued under Section 501.0165,   Government Code, Section 841.153, Health and Safety Code, or   Section 245.0536, Human Resources Code, as applicable,  is $5.          SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the   Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, and the vital   statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services shall   update as necessary the memorandum of understanding and rules   required by Section 501.0165(c), Government Code, as amended by   this Act.          SECTION 5.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to the discharge or release of an inmate on parole, mandatory   supervision, or conditional pardon that occurs on or after December   1, 2025. A discharge or release that occurs before that date is   governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date   of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.