This bill directs the TSA to create guidelines to help incarcerated individuals prepare for and access the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program upon release to improve employment opportunities.
Troy Carter
Representative
LA-2
This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop guidelines to improve access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program for individuals currently in custody. Specifically, it mandates assistance for incarcerated individuals to pre-apply or prepare applications for TWIC cards before release. The goal is to reduce barriers to employment for returning citizens by streamlining the credentialing process.
New Bill Forces TSA to Help Inmates Pre-Apply for TWIC Cards, Cutting Job Search Time Post-Release
This legislation mandates that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator develop and implement new guidelines within one year to significantly improve how returning citizens access the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. Specifically, the bill requires the TSA to create procedures that allow individuals currently in federal, state, or local custody to pre-apply for or prepare their TWIC applications before they are released. It also requires the TSA to establish rules for assisting applicants who need to appeal or waive a preliminary denial of eligibility.
The Credentials That Unlock Port Jobs
For those unfamiliar, the TWIC card is the secure ID required for anyone needing unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels, as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA). Think of it as the TSA PreCheck for the port and shipping industry. Without it, you can’t get the high-paying jobs in logistics, shipping, oil, and gas that keep our economy moving. The bill’s findings highlight that employment is one of the biggest factors in reducing recidivism—that is, keeping people out of prison once they’re released. By streamlining the TWIC process, this bill directly connects people leaving incarceration with job opportunities in industries that desperately need workers.
Cutting the 90-Day Waiting Game
Currently, people with certain felony convictions must wait until they are released to begin the application process, which can include a waiver process that takes up to 90 days. That’s three months of being out of prison, trying to find housing, and dealing with life, all while waiting for the credential that allows you to start a real career. This bill aims to eliminate that gap. For a person leaving a facility in Louisiana, where port and energy jobs are plentiful, being able to walk out with a job offer already lined up because their TWIC application is already in process is a game-changer. The TSA must now develop the tools to make this happen, essentially moving the bureaucratic heavy lifting into the prison system.
Appeals Assistance: Navigating the Red Tape
Beyond pre-application, the bill addresses the tricky appeal process. If the TSA issues a preliminary determination that an applicant is ineligible—often due to past criminal history—the applicant has to navigate an appeal or waiver process. The new guidelines must include procedures to assist these individuals. This is crucial because, as the bill notes, about 98 percent of all applicants eventually receive the card. This provision means the TSA won't just deny people and leave them hanging; they will need to provide concrete assistance to help applicants successfully clear the final hurdles and prove their rehabilitation. This is a clear win for fairness and efficiency, ensuring that the security review process doesn't become an unnecessary barrier to employment for those who have paid their debt to society.