LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The House Criminal Justice Committee met to consider legislation regarding the establishment of a system to grant former inmates the right to a state issued identification card or a driver’s license to make reintegration into society easier. 

Representative Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) spoke first on behalf of the bill package regarding the program.

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“[The program ] would give returning citizens their IDs or driver’s licenses prior to leaving the prison so that as they re-enter into society they have the right documents to be able to get employment, jobs, housing, things of that nature so they’re not walking around with an inmate ID, but rather a state of Michigan driver’s license or ID if they previously had one,” he said. 

Representative Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor) discussed how important the “Returning Citizens Initiative” would be for those leaving prisons. 

“In the vulnerable time after release from prison, the effort to find appropriate documentation to prove who you are can be a daunting task,” Representative Brabec said, “This is what we’re trying to address: if formerly incarcerated people are not able to access housing or get a job because they are unable to obtain proper ID, it is unlikely that they will successfully reintegrate into our community.” 

Similarly, Representative Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) acknowledged the possible economic impact that the bill could have on the community. 

“We are facing an employment shortage as everyone knows,” Representative McFall said, “What this will do will actually allow for setting people up for success that are returning.  The economic impact of this as Rep. Brabec said, most employers use direct deposit, so it’ll allow them to open a bank account, so I think that setting them up for success will set us up for success, society-wide.”

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According to Erin Schor, the Policy Director from the Michigan Department of State, legislation of this type has been in discussion since 2004. 

“These bills have been a long time coming, and I could not be more thrilled to be here today to report that we have a program in place with a high rate of success, and we’re excited that these bills will ensure that it continues for a long time to come,” Schor said. 

Kyle Kaminski, Michigan Department of Corrections, testified that since 2020, the department has secured more than 35,000 individual birth certificates for imprisoned individuals.  When inmates are within 6 months of their initial parole date, they work with inmates to apply for a state ID or driver’s license, so that by the time of release they can have that ID when they leave.  The department has succeeded in accomplishing this process for 98% of prisoners when they leave. 

During the meeting, ahead of testimonies, the committee voted in favor of passing House Bill 4202, introduced by Representative Laurie Pohutsky (D- Livonia) which would amend the Michigan penal code to remove “mentally incapacitated” from the language of the bill regarding spousal charges or crimes.  Without any opposing votes, passing the first bill through the committee according to Chair and Representative Kara Hope (D-Holt).