VirginiaHB22212025 Regular SessionHouse

Prisoners; Department of Corrections-issued identification, report.

Sponsored By: Rae Cousins (Democratic)

To Governor

Summary

Prisoners; Department of Corrections-issued identification; report. Requires that prior to the release or discharge into the community of any prisoner who has been confined for at least 90 days and does not possess a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card, the Department of Corrections, in conjunction with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Registrar of Vital Records, and any other relevant government agency, shall provide such prisoner with a certified copy of his birth certificate, his social security card, or a government-issued identification card, unless such provision of a government-issued identification card is not possible, in which case, the Department of Corrections shall provide the prisoner with a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form. The bill also specifies what identifying information must be included on such form and provides that such form shall be verified by the Department of Corrections and provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles in a secured format and by a means mutually agreed upon by both and shall serve as proof of identity and proof of Virginia residency and may serve as proof of legal presence in the United States or proof of a social security number, if one is available, as required to obtain a government-issued identification card for the 120 days immediately following the release or discharge of the prisoner identified on such form. The bill also requires the Department of Corrections and the Department of Motor Vehicles to cooperatively establish procedures for verifying a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form and all information contained therein and prohibits the Department of Motor Vehicles from accepting such form if the form or any of the information contained on the form cannot be verified. These provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026. The bill also directs the Department of Corrections, in coordination with the State Board of Local and Regional Jails, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the State Registrar of Vital Records, to (i) identify the number of prisoners released with and without identification cards; (ii) review the processes involved in assisting a prisoner in applying for and obtaining a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card; (iii) identify any obstacles that may interfere with a prisoner obtaining such identification or documents prior to such prisoner's release or discharge; and (iv) issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2025.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rae Cousins

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 538 • No: 22

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 39 • No: 1

House vote • 4/2/2025

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 95 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2025

Senate Amendments agreed to by House

Yes: 96 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/14/2025

Passed Senate with amendments

Yes: 20 • No: 15

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Senate vote • 2/7/2025

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote • 2/4/2025

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 2/4/2025

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 1/31/2025

Reported from Public Safety with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 1/30/2025

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 6 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 1-N)

    4/2/2025Senate
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0656)

    4/2/2025Governor
  3. Reenrolled bill text (HB2221ER2)

    4/2/2025House
  4. Reenrolled

    4/2/2025House
  5. Enacted, Chapter 656 (Effective 07/01/26)

    4/2/2025House
  6. Signed by President as reenrolled

    4/2/2025Senate
  7. Signed by Speaker as reenrolled

    4/2/2025House
  8. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/2/2025Governor
  9. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (95-Y 0-N)

    4/2/2025House
  10. Governor's recommendation received by House

    3/24/2025Governor
  11. Governor's substitute printed (HB2221H2)

    3/24/2025House
  12. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025

    3/5/2025Governor
  13. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 5, 2025

    3/5/2025House
  14. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2221)

    2/24/2025House
  15. Signed by President

    2/23/2025Senate
  16. Enrolled bill reprinted 25106422D

    2/20/2025House
  17. Enrolled

    2/20/2025House
  18. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB2221ER)

    2/20/2025House
  19. Enrolled

    2/20/2025House
  20. Signed by Speaker

    2/20/2025House
  21. Senate Amendments agreed to by House (96-Y 1-N)

    2/18/2025House
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2221)

    2/14/2025House
  23. Passed Senate with amendments (20-Y 15-N)

    2/14/2025Senate
  24. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    2/14/2025Senate
  25. Finance and Appropriations Amendment agreed to

    2/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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