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House Bill 2161 |
House Author: Turner, Sylvester et al. |
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Effective: See below |
Senate Sponsor: Whitmire |
House Bill 2161 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), before discharging or releasing an inmate, to timely submit to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on behalf of the inmate a request for the issuance of a personal identification certificate if the inmate does not have a valid certificate, driver's license, or commercial driver's license. The bill sets forth provisions relating to the responsibilities of TDCJ, DPS, and the bureau of vital statistics of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in issuing a personal identification certificate to an inmate and in verifying the inmate's identity, requires TDCJ to reimburse DPS and DSHS for costs incurred by those agencies in performing responsibilities, and authorizes TDCJ to charge an inmate for costs or for specified fees related to the issuance of a certificate. The bill specifies that the above provisions do not apply to an inmate who is not legally present in the United States or who was not a resident of Texas before being placed in TDCJ custody.
House Bill 2161 amends the Transportation Code to provide that a personal identification certificate or original or renewal driver's license or commercial driver's license issued to a person residing in a correctional facility, halfway house, or community residential facility expires on the first birthday of the license holder occurring after the first anniversary of the date of issuance unless an earlier date is otherwise provided. The bill establishes a $5 fee for a personal identification certificate issued on behalf of an inmate before discharge or release and requires DPS to establish the fee for a personal identification certificate, driver's license, or commercial driver's license issued to a person who resides in a correctional facility, halfway house, or community residential facility.
House Bill 2161 takes effect September 1, 2009, but only if a specific appropriation for the implementation of the bill is provided in a general appropriations act of the 81st Legislature.