H.R. 5152: BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 is a proposed legislation that aims to facilitate the issuance of identification documents for individuals being released from Federal custody. Here’s a breakdown of the main points of the bill:

Identification Documents for Released Prisoners

The Act mandates that:

Within 180 days of the law being enacted, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons must issue a photo identification release card to each U.S. citizen prisoner who is being released. This card must comply with the standards outlined in the REAL ID Act of 2005.
The issued photo identification release card will be valid for at least 18 months from the date of the prisoner's release.

Use of Photo Identification Release Card

The Act provides that the photo identification release card will be accepted for the following purposes:

As proof of identity for Social Security benefits.
For the Medicaid program.
For the Medicare program.
To participate in various programs or activities under the Department of Health and Human Services.
For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
For any other assistance programs funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
For programs under the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services.
For activities related to the Department of Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs.

Report on Progress

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons is required to report annually to Congress on efforts to negotiate how the identification release card can be used to obtain state-issued identification cards.

Guidance for States

Additionally, the Attorney General must provide guidance to each state regarding the process for issuing photo identification release cards to prisoners released from state correctional facilities within one year of the law's enactment.

Definitions

The Act also defines key terms such as "Director" (the Director of the Bureau of Prisons) and "State" (which includes all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and territories).

Rule of Construction

It is clarified that the issuance of identification cards under this Act does not exempt the Bureau of Prisons from existing prerelease planning procedures.