SB 147: Correctional Institutions of State and Counties; consent for the release of certain criminal history, vocational, and educational information for inmates upon release; provide

Current Georgia law lets the Department of Corrections give releasees certain program history documents with their consent when they leave custody. This bill rewrites that process. Instead of just sharing program history, the department must, upon request from an eligible person who is not an illegal alien under Georgia law, provide documentation to help that person get a job after release, and coordinate with the Department of Driver Services to issue a state identification card if the person lacks one. The bill also lists specific items the department must provide upon request: vocational training and work records, a certified birth certificate if obtainable, a social security card if obtainable, a resume listing any trade learned, proof of a completed practice job interview, and notice if the person is eligible for an occupational license. It exempts certain inmates, such as those 65 or older or releasing to a medical reprieve, from having to complete a resume or practice interview before release. The commissioner and other state agencies may write rules to carry this out.

• Requires the Department of Corrections to help eligible releasees get a state identification card by coordinating with the Department of Driver Services if they lack one.
• Replaces the old program-history document list with a new requirement to provide job-related paperwork: vocational and work records, birth certificate, social security card, resume, and interview documentation.
• Adds a requirement that the department notify releasees if they are eligible to apply for an occupational license or certification from a state agency.
• Exempts inmates who are 65 or older, on medical reprieve, in custody of another jurisdiction, or physically or mentally unable to work from having to complete resumes or practice job interviews before release.
• Limits the assistance to people who request it and who are not illegal aliens as defined under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-201.
• Authorizes the commissioner and other relevant state agencies to write rules to implement these changes.

People incarcerated in Georgia's state correctional institutions who are approaching release, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Driver Services, and state agencies that oversee occupational licenses or certifications that former inmates might apply for.

Georgians leaving state prison would get concrete help lining up a job, an ID, a birth certificate, and a social security card instead of just program records, which can make it easier to find work and housing right after release. Older or medically unable inmates are excused from resume and interview steps.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 42-5-64(e) so the department must, upon request from an eligible non-illegal-alien person, provide documents to help with post-release employment and coordinate a state ID card through the Department of Driver Services.
• Section 1 revises subsection (f) to require, upon request, a vocational training record, work record, birth certificate, social security card, resume, proof of a practice job interview, and notice of eligibility for an occupational license.
• Section 1 adds subsection (g) exempting inmates 65 or older, those on medical reprieve or infirmary discharge, those releasing to another jurisdiction's custody, or those unable to work from the resume and interview requirements.
• Section 1 revises the rulemaking clause to authorize the commissioner and other relevant state agencies, not just the commissioner, to issue implementing rules.
• Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2025-07-01Effective Date
2. 2025-05-14Act 312
3. 2025-05-14Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-07Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-28House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-28House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-20House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-56)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-29)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-51)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-15)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-24)
• David Lucas (D, SD-26)
• Freddie Powell Sims (D, SD-12)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-32)
• Donzella James (D, SD-28)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-47)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-49)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-52)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-35)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-39)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-19)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
• Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-41)
• Max Burns (R, SD-23)
• Rick Williams (R, SD-25)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-5)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-54)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-8)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-2)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-11)
• Bill Werkheiser (R, HD-157)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   55 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 0 excused)

   PASSAGE AS AMENDED: Senate Vote #215

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 28, 2025

   163 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 13 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #337

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   51 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 1 excused)

   AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #360

• prisoner reentry
• state prisons
• occupational licensing
• identification cards
• criminal justice