BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5152

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-06-09T08:05:55Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 aims to help individuals released from federal prison by requiring the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide them with a government-issued photo identification card. This card is designed to make it easier for former prisoners to access essential services, benefits, and opportunities after release, reducing barriers to reintegration into society.

Key Provisions

• Issuance of Identification Cards: Within 180 days of the law's enactment, the BOP Director must issue a photo identification release card to every U.S. citizen prisoner being released from federal custody. The card must meet minimum security standards set by the REAL ID Act of 2005 (a federal law establishing standards for state-issued IDs to be accepted for certain federal purposes, like boarding flights).
• Validity Period: The card is valid for at least 18 months after the prisoner's release date.
• State Negotiations: The BOP Director must work with each state to create a system allowing released prisoners to use the federal card to obtain a state-issued ID. The Director must submit annual progress reports to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees starting one year after enactment.
• Acceptance by Federal Programs and Agencies: The card serves as proof of identity for accessing various federal benefits and services, including:
• Social Security benefits (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance).
• Medicaid and Medicare health programs.
• Other Department of Health and Human Services programs.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps).
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs.
• Probation and pretrial services.
• Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia programs.
• Department of Education programs.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development programs.
• Department of Veterans Affairs programs.
• Entry into federal buildings.
• Rule of Construction: This requirement does not replace the BOP's existing duty to provide prerelease planning (preparation for life after prison, such as job training or housing assistance).
• Guidance for States: Within one year of enactment, the U.S. Attorney General must issue guidance to states on how to create similar photo ID release cards for individuals released from state prisons.
• Definitions: "Director" refers to the BOP Director; "State" includes all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 4042 of title 18, United States Code (which outlines BOP duties for prisoner custody and care) by adding a new subsection (d) on identification documents. This is a new mandate, as current law does not require the BOP to issue such IDs upon release.
• Redesignates the existing subsection (d) as (e) to accommodate the new content.
• Introduces federal acceptance requirements for the card across multiple programs, which expands proof-of-identity options without altering the underlying eligibility rules for those programs.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The BOP will need to develop and implement a new ID issuance process, potentially requiring resources for production, distribution, and negotiations with states. Other federal agencies (e.g., Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs) must recognize the card, which could streamline administrative processes but may involve minor updates to verification systems. States may adopt similar systems voluntarily, influenced by the Attorney General's guidance, leading to more uniform reentry support nationwide.
• On Citizens: Formerly incarcerated U.S. citizens will face fewer hurdles in obtaining benefits, housing, employment, or healthcare, potentially lowering recidivism rates by supporting successful reentry. Non-citizens and state prisoners are not directly covered but could benefit indirectly if states follow the federal model.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the law focuses on domestic federal and state systems.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Released Federal Prisoners: Primarily U.S. citizens exiting BOP facilities, who gain immediate access to ID for essential services.
• Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Attorney General: Responsible for issuing cards, negotiating with states, and providing guidance.
• Federal Agencies: Including Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture (for SNAP), Education, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which must accept the cards.
• States and Territories: Involved in negotiations for ID exchanges and encouraged to implement similar programs for their prisoners.
• Congressional Committees: Senate and House Judiciary Committees, which receive annual reports on progress.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Ensures compliance with REAL ID standards, providing a secure yet accessible ID option. It builds on existing prerelease laws without overriding them, potentially reducing legal challenges related to post-release barriers (e.g., denials of benefits due to lack of ID).
• Constitutional Implications: Supports rehabilitation and reintegration, aligning with Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment by addressing practical reentry needs, though it does not create new rights.
• Political Implications: Introduced with bipartisan support (from both Republican and Democratic members), reflecting a focus on criminal justice reform to aid public safety through lower recidivism. The annual reporting requirement promotes accountability and could influence future funding or expansions to state systems.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

Cosponsors (21)

Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-09-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-04 — PDF (6 pages)