HR 5152119th CongressIn Committee

BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025

Introduced: Sep 4, 2025

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 would require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to issue a photo ID release card to each U.S. citizen prisoner upon release from federal custody. The card must meet REAL ID Act standards, be valid for at least 18 months after release, and be usable to help released inmates access state IDs and federal programs. The bill directs the BOP to negotiate with states to accept the card as a form of identification for obtaining state IDs, and to report annual progress to Congress. It also instructs federal programs and agencies to accept the card as proof of identity for various benefits and activities, including Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, TANF, federal building entry, and other federal programs. In addition, the Attorney General would issue guidance to states within a year about issuing similar release cards for state prisoners. The act emphasizes that this release card does not replace prerelease planning requirements already in law.

Key Points

1Creation of a photo identification release card for every U.S. citizen prisoner being released from federal custody, due within 180 days of enactment; card must meet REAL ID standards and be valid for at least 18 months after release.
2The Director of the Bureau of Prisons must negotiate with each state (including DC and territories) to allow the release card to be used to obtain a state ID, with annual reporting on progress to congressional committees.
3The card would be accepted as proof of identity for federal programs and agencies, including Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, DHHS programs, SNAP, TANF, and certain federal-building entry requirements.
4Definitions and scope: the term “Director” means the BOP Director; “State” includes the 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories; the card applies to released prisoners who are U.S. citizens.
5Guidance for states: Within one year, the Attorney General must issue guidance to states on issuing photo ID release cards for state prisoners, broadening the concept beyond federal custody.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Federal prisoners who are U.S. citizens being released from federal custody; they would gain easier access to identification and, by extension, programs and services essential to reentry (housing, benefits, employment, banking, etc.).Secondary group/area affected: States and their identification systems, as well as state agencies and local programs that issue IDs (through acceptance of the BOP card for state ID eligibility) and federal programs that accept the card as identity proof.Additional impacts:- Federal agencies and programs (SSA, CMS/Medicaid/Medicare, SNAP, TANF, DHHS programs, HUD, VA, etc.) would have a streamlined identity document to verify benefits eligibility or program participation for former prisoners.- The bill imposes ongoing reporting requirements to Congress (annual progress reports on state agreement negotiations).- There are privacy, security, and cost considerations for issuing and maintaining the new cards; implementation timing and intergovernmental coordination will impact practicality and effectiveness.- The act explicitly notes it does not replace existing prerelease planning requirements, maintaining the current framework for pre-release preparations.

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