LouisianaLouisiana will provide eligible people leaving prison records and ID cards
Starting August 1, 2026, eligible people leaving Louisiana state prisons after felony sentences will receive a special ID card and certain records to help them look for work.
What it does
Starting August 1, 2026, the corrections department must give eligible people certain work, training, and identity records to help them look for jobs after prison. Some documents are provided only if applicable or obtainable.
Eligible people leaving state prison without a current state ID or driver’s license will receive a special ID card when released. The offices must start gathering required documents within nine months before release.
Argument forPeople leaving prison could have identity papers and work records ready, which may help them apply for jobs.
Argument againstThe fee could make it harder for people who cannot afford it to get an ID card when they leave prison.
More detail
Starting August 1, 2026, the corrections department must give eligible people certain records and documents to help them look for work after release. This applies to people serving felony sentences who are housed in a state correctional facility, are in the department’s custody, designate a Louisiana residence, and receive a special state ID card. The birth certificate and Social Security card or replacement card are provided only if obtainable; training records and work records are provided only if applicable. The records are provided to help with work after release; the text gives no separate deadline.
Starting August 1, 2026, the corrections department and motor vehicles office must prepare and issue special state ID cards to eligible people who lack a current state ID or driver’s license. This applies to people in the department’s physical custody who are housed in a state correctional facility and do not have a current state ID or driver’s license. The motor vehicles office sets a reasonable fee. A copy of a birth certificate and the department’s prison sentence record may be used as photo ID to get the card. The card cannot be renewed or transferred and is valid for six years from its month of issue. The department may use available funds, including inmate trust funds, department funds, and donations, to cover costs. The offices identify existing ID and begin gathering documents within nine months before release; the card is provided upon release from custody.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 8Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 785.Became Law
- Jun 8Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1672). Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Called from the calendar.
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 98, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.
- May 27Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 25Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1212). Result: pass.Upper
- May 20Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 19Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 18Reported favorably.Minor
- May 4Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.Minor
- Apr 29Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 91, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#813). Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 29Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- Apr 27Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- Apr 27Scheduled for floor debate on 04/29/2026.
- Apr 23Reported with amendments (9-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.Minor
- Feb 20First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/20/2026.
- Feb 18Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 18Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.Introduced
Criminal Justice