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Committee advances bill to codify federal definition of "employment social enterprises" into state code
Summary
House Bill 12-89 would add a federal definition of "employment social enterprises" into Indiana code and recognize work-based learning programs run by such enterprises; supporters said the change helps secure federal funding and has no fiscal impact.
A House committee voted to advance legislation that would adopt the federal definition of "employment social enterprises" into state law and recognize the enterprises' role in workforce programs.
Representative Hamilton, the bill sponsor, said House Bill 12-89 creates a new section to Indiana code and incorporates the federal definition of employment social enterprises (ESEs). He said the intent is to help organizations secure federal funds and to formally allow work-based learning or transitional employment programs run by ESEs to be included among state workforce programs.
Witnesses described ESE operations and outcomes. Daniel Roe, identified as director of recycling at Recycle Force, told the committee the Indianapolis organization has placed hundreds of formerly incarcerated men and women in transitional jobs and that in calendar year 2024 more than 500 people were employed through Recycle Force's transitional program; more than 350 were direct referrals from the Hoosier Initiative for Reentry. Roe said over 95% of program participants earned at least one industry-recognized credential and that Recycle Force saved more than 9,000,000 pounds of material from landfills last year through recycling operations.
Ryan Myers of United Way of Central Indiana said the organization supports the bill, describing ESEs as "valuable partners" in getting people into jobs and on pathways to sustainable wages.
Committee members asked questions; Representative Cash complimented Recycle Force's work. The committee moved to pass the bill. A roll-call vote recorded during the meeting shows a majority of members voting yes; the clerk recorded the result as the bill passing the committee by an 11-0 margin.
The bill sponsor said there is no fiscal impact and asked for committee support. The committee returned the bill to the legislative process.
The transcript does not record any amendment to the bill during this meeting.
