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Senate bill · S4958 (2025-26)

Creates an identification card program for local correctional facilities; and relates to issuance of and waiver of fees for identification cards issued…

New York State Senate

Same as A6732, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Latest action Jun 4, 2026

Sponsor: Jamaal Bailey (State Senator, District 36, Democratic/Working Families)

Official titleShow

Creates an identification card program for local correctional facilities; and relates to issuance of and waiver of fees for identification cards issued pursuant to certain identification card programs

The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 22, 2026. About our data

Summary

Creates an identification card program for incarcerated individuals in local correctional facilities; requires such identification cards to be identical to non-driver identification cards issued to the general public; waives fees for such identification cards.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Correction Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section 1 of the bill amends the correction law by adding a new section 512. 1. Contains the definition for "identification card." 2. Directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to develop a program that would allow incarcerated individuals in local corrections who do not otherwise possess a current form of photo identification issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a photo identification upon such individual's release from a local correctional facility. 3. Provides that the sentence and commitment of an incarcerated individ- ual shall be deemed sufficient to grant authorization to the relevant sheriff to assist the person in applying for and obtaining photo iden- tification. 4. Provides for the procedures by which an incarcerated individual may be issued photo identification by such a facility. Section 2 amends section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new subdivision 4. 4. Provides that identificaLion cards issued to incarcerated individuals pursuant to sections eleven and five hundred twelve of the correction law shall be formatted identically to all other identification cards pursuant to this section. Section 3 amends subdivision 3 of section 491 of the vehicle and traffic law. 3. Provides that the Department of Motor Vehicles shall waive fees required in subdivision 2 of section 491 when issuing photo identifica- tion to incarcerated individuals in local correctional facilities.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Correction · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · New York State Senate.

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Cosponsors

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Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Democratic3

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The sponsor's argument

Why Jamaal Bailey says this is needed

Each year, more than 600,000 people are released from state and federal prisons. Too often, these individuals do not have the opportunity or means to obtain important identification documents. Many formerly incarcerated individuals find themselves without state identification after they reenter society because their previous documentation expired or was lost or damaged while they were incarcerated. Moreover, formerly incarcerated people have difficulty accessing birth certificates and Social Security cards, which are required documents to obtain state identification. Additionally, the process for procuring such documents can be daunting and costly. State-issued identification is frequently required to access social services, secure housing, and apply for employment - all factors that can play a crucial role in a person's successful reintegration into the community. People leaving prisons and jails with state ID cards may be able to access vital services and support more quickly than those with- out ID cards. Issuing state identification while people are still incarcerated is an effective tool to support successful reentry. Valid identification is pivotal in the process of acquiring many elements of reentry that have proven successful at reducing recidivism.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

  1. Jun 4, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

    NY Assembly

  2. Jun 4, 2026

    Rules Report CAL.484

    RULES REPORT CAL.484

    NY Assembly

  3. May 19, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    NY Assembly

  4. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CORRECTION

    NY Assembly

  5. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION

    NY Senate

Show full history (2 earlier events)
  1. Mar 11, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CORRECTION

    NY Assembly

  2. Feb 14, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION

    NY Senate

Read the record