H.B. 12

1

CORRECTIONS EDUCATION AMENDMENTS
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Bill Wright
5 Senate Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 Committee Note:
9 The Education Interim Committee recommended this bill.
10 General Description:
11 This bill modifies provisions addressing the education of persons in the custody of the
12 Utah Department of Corrections.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 . removes the State Board of Regents' responsibility for the education of persons in
16 the custody of the Utah Department of Corrections;
17 . provides that the State Office of Education and Utah Department of Corrections
18 shall collaborate with the State Board of Regents and other entities in preparing and
19 implementing a recidivism reduction plan;
20 . requires the Utah Department of Corrections to report on the impact of corrections
21 education programs on recidivism; and
22 . makes technical amendments.
23 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
24 None
25 Other Special Clauses:
26 None
27 Utah Code Sections Affected:

28 AMENDS:
29 53A-1-403.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 258
30 REPEALS:
31 64-13-30.7, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 258
32
33 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
34 Section 1. Section 53A-1-403.5 is amended to read:
35 53A-1-403.5. Education of persons in custody of the Utah Department of
36 Corrections -- Contracting for services -- Recidivism reduction plan -- Collaboration
37 among state agencies.
38 (1) The State Board of Education[, the State Board of Regents,] and the Utah
39 Department of Corrections, subject to legislative appropriation, are responsible for the
40 education of persons in the custody of the Utah Department of Corrections.
41 (2) (a) To fulfill the responsibility under Subsection (1), the State Board of Education
42 and the Utah Department of Corrections shall, where feasible, contract with appropriate private
43 or public agencies to provide educational and related administrative services. Contracts for
44 postsecondary education and training shall be under Subsection (2)(b).
45 (b) (i) The contract under Subsection (2)(a) to provide postsecondary education and
46 training shall be with a community college if the correctional facility is located within the
47 service region of a community college, except under Subsection (2)(b)(ii).
48 (ii) If the community college under Subsection (2)(b)(i) declines to provide the
49 education and training or cannot meet reasonable contractual terms for providing the education
50 and training as specified by the Utah Department of Corrections, postsecondary education and
51 training under Subsection (2)(a) may be procured through other appropriate private or public
52 agencies.
53 (3) (a) As its corrections education program, the State Board of Education[, the State
54 Board of Regents,] and the Utah Department of Corrections shall develop and implement a
55 recidivism reduction plan, including the following components:
56 (i) inmate assessment;
57 (ii) cognitive problem-solving skills;
58 (iii) basic literacy skills;

59 (iv) career skills;
60 (v) job placement;
61 (vi) postrelease tracking and support;
62 (vii) research and evaluation;
63 (viii) family involvement and support; and
64 (ix) multiagency collaboration.
65 (b) The plan shall be developed and implemented through the State Office of
66 Education[, the State Board of Regents,] and the Utah Department of Corrections in
67 collaboration with the following entities:
68 (i) the State Board of Regents;
69 [(i)] (ii) the Utah College of Applied Technology Board of Trustees;
70 [(ii)] (iii) local boards of education;
71 [(iii)] (iv) the Department of Workforce Services;
72 [(iv)] (v) the Department of Human Services;
73 [(v)] (vi) the Board of Pardons and Parole;
74 [(vi)] (vii) the State Office of Rehabilitation; and
75 [(vii)] (viii) the Governor's Office.
76 [(4) The department shall make a report to the Education and Law Enforcement and
77 Criminal Justice Interim Committees on the recidivism reduction plan before October 1, 2010.]
78 (4) By July 1, 2014, and every three years thereafter, the Utah Department of
79 Corrections shall make a report to the Education Interim Committee and the Judiciary, Law
80 Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Interim Committee evaluating the impact of corrections
81 education programs on recidivism.
82 Section 2. Repealer.
83 This bill repeals:
84 Section 64-13-30.7, Use of funds for inmate postsecondary education and training.




Legislative Review Note
as of 8-4-11 3:15 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel