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SB-336 Exonerated inmates: transitional services.(2017-2018)

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Date Published: 10/13/2017 02:00 PM
SB336:v95#DOCUMENT

Senate Bill No. 336
CHAPTER 728

An act to amend Section 3007.05 of the Penal Code, relating to inmates.

[ Approved by Governor  October 12, 2017. Filed with Secretary of State  October 12, 2017. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 336, Anderson. Exonerated inmates: transitional services.
Existing law allows every person who is unlawfully imprisoned or restrained of his or her liberty, under any pretense, to prosecute a writ of habeas corpus to inquire into the cause of his or her imprisonment or restraint. Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to assist a person who is exonerated, as defined, as to a conviction for which he or she is serving a state prison sentence at the time of exoneration with specified transitional services for a period of not less than 6 months and not more than one year from the date of release.
This bill would revise the definition of exonerated for the purpose of eligibility for assistance with transitional services to include a person who has been convicted and subsequently was granted a writ of habeas corpus, as specified.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 3007.05 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

3007.05.
 (a) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Motor Vehicles shall ensure that all eligible inmates released from state prisons have valid identification cards, issued pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 13000) of Chapter 1 of Division 6 of the Vehicle Code.
(b) For purposes of this section, “eligible inmate” means an inmate who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) The inmate has previously held a California driver’s license or identification card.
(2) The inmate has a usable photo on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles that is not more than 10 years old.
(3) The inmate has no outstanding fees due for a prior California identification card.
(4) The inmate has provided, and the Department of Motor Vehicles has verified, all of the following information:
(A) The inmate’s true full name.
(B) The inmate’s date of birth.
(C) The inmate’s social security number.
(D) The inmate’s legal presence in the United States.
(c) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall assist a person who is exonerated as to a conviction for which he or she is serving a state prison sentence at the time of exoneration with transitional services, including housing assistance, job training, and mental health services, as applicable. The extent of the services shall be determined by the department and shall be provided for a period of not less than six months and not more than one year from the date of release.
(d) For the purposes of this section, “exonerated” means the person has been convicted and subsequently one of the following occurred:
(1) A writ of habeas corpus concerning the person was granted on the basis that the evidence unerringly points to innocence, or the person’s conviction was reversed on appeal on the basis of insufficient evidence.
(2) A writ of habeas corpus concerning the person was granted pursuant to Section 1473, either resulting in dismissal of the criminal charges for which he or she was incarcerated or following a determination that the person is entitled to release on his or her own recognizance, or to bail, pending retrial or pending appeal.
(3) The person was given an absolute pardon by the Governor on the basis that the person was innocent.