Committee advances bill to require needs assessment for postsecondary programs in prisons

The Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee on Monday moved HB 5127 to JFS, a bill that would require a needs assessment for delivery of postsecondary education programs in state prisons and adjusts the entity that would conduct the survey.

Chair Senator Derek Slapp described the bill as "an act requiring a needs assessment for the delivery of postsecondary education programs in prison" and noted substitute language that changes which office conducts the survey. The clerk recorded that the motion to refer the bill was made and seconded.

Representative Cooley warned that "postsecondary education should be interpreted in its broadest sense to include the trades," citing vocational training such as professional cooking as an example of programs that benefit people returning from incarceration. Representative D'Amico asked whether the substitute language changes the entity conducting the survey; the chair confirmed the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) would conduct the survey and said the bill seeks to include the voices of people who are incarcerated and formerly incarcerated.

The clerk called the roll for the referral; multiple members were recorded as voting in favor, and the chair said roll-call votes would remain open until 2:00 p.m. to allow members remote or scheduling constraints to vote. No formal amendments were adopted during the committee discussion.

The committee left the vote on HB 5127 open pending the roll-call window; the bill now advances for further consideration in JFS.