2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 128
BY SENATOR DUPLESSIS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to study and make
recommendations relative to the provision of valid state identification documents to
individuals released from state custody and the inclusion of such documents on any
digitized credentials established pursuant to R.S. 39:17.2(D).
WHEREAS, R.S. 15:827.1(A) states that, "It is the intent of the legislature to provide
persons released from incarceration with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
with certain fundamental resources in the areas of employment, life skills training, and job
placement and with access to as many support services as possible in order to appreciably
increase the likelihood of successful reentry into free society and to reduce recidivism"; and
WHEREAS, when individuals are released from incarceration, their successful
reintegration into civilian life often depends on how quickly they can obtain valid
government-issued identification; and
WHEREAS, valid government-issued identification is required to secure some of
life's basic necessities including housing, employment, medical care, and temporary
government assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to R.S. 15:827.1, transition specialists with the Louisiana
Department of Public Safety and Corrections work to assemble or obtain replacements of
at least two forms of identification, including a birth certificate or a Social Security
identification card, to support an individual's release from state correctional facilities; and
WHEREAS, in addition to state correctional facilities, Louisiana incarcerates a large
number of individuals in local jails and prisons where similar services may or may not be
available.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections to
study the feasibility of:
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(1) Embedding within contracts with local jails and prisons expectations that support
accessing valid government-issued identification be provided to individuals in state custody
who are transitioning out of incarceration and into civil society; and
(2) Providing individuals transitioning out of incarceration with timely access to
government-issued photo identification through any digitized credentials established
pursuant to R.S. 39:17.2(D), as a legal equivalent to a valid physical license or form of
identification that can be accepted by state and other agencies to receive essential services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
provide a report of its findings and recommendations not later than sixty days prior to the
beginning of the 2024 Regular Session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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