This bill, the New Pathways Act, changes the Second Chance Act to require that people leaving federal prison or serving in certain community facilities get help getting identification and other documents before they are released. It defines which people are covered, including "United States citizen covered individuals" and "noncitizen covered individuals," and defines community confinement and direct-release prisoners.
For U.S. citizen covered individuals, the bill requires the Bureau of Prisons Director to provide a photo identification card that meets the REAL ID Act minimum standards before release from federal prison or community confinement. The Director must try to obtain, on behalf of the person, a social security card and proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a U.S. passport, an original or certified U.S. birth certificate, certain federal documents for cases where those are unavailable, or naturalization/citizenship certificates for those born outside the United States). If the Director cannot get required documents because a federal or state agency does not respond, the Director must give the person a written statement explaining steps taken and any responsive documents received. If the person does not give authorization to obtain documents, the Director must give a written statement explaining why the documents were not obtained. When an ID is issued, the Director must give the person all obtained documents.
For noncitizen covered individuals, the Director must help obtain proof of lawful status from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and, for those not lawful permanent residents, an employment authorization document. That help includes giving applicable USCIS forms and instructions and assisting with completing and submitting forms and supporting materials. When USCIS documents are received, the Director must give them to the noncitizen covered individual.
Finally, at the request of a direct-release prisoner, a representative of the U.S. Probation System must help that prisoner develop a release plan before release.
No publicly available information about estimated costs, appropriations, or budgetary effects is included in the bill text or provided metadata.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata states proponents' arguments or statements.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata states opponents' arguments or statements.