HF 2588 (LSB 5260HV (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2588

BY  COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND WORKFORCE

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2129)

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  904.914  Water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program.
   1.  The department, in coordination with the Iowa department of natural resources and Iowa workforce development, shall establish an apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates to train and work as certified water and wastewater operators and to meet all of the following goals:
   a.  Address the shortage of qualified water and wastewater operators in the state.
   b.  Provide inmates with meaningful vocational training, work experience, and a pathway to post-release employment.
   c.  Promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.
   2.  An inmate is eligible to participate in the program if the inmate meets all of the following conditions:
   a.  The inmate is serving a sentence for a nonviolent offense.
   b.  The inmate is within twenty-four months of the inmate’s earliest possible release date.
   c.  The inmate has participated and demonstrated good behavior in prison programming.
   d.  The inmate meets the minimum qualifications established by the department of natural resources and Iowa workforce development for apprentices in water and wastewater operations.
   e.  The inmate is approved by the department and the board of parole for work release.
   3.  The program shall include all of the following:
   a.  Classroom instruction aligned with the department of natural resources certified water and wastewater operator curriculum.
   b.  On-the-job training with participating municipalities or utilities through registered apprenticeships.
   c.  Supervised work release placements to perform operator duties in a real-world setting.
   d.  Assistance with certification exams and job placement upon release.
   4.  The department of natural resources shall ensure that training and experience obtained through participation in the program qualifies toward the requirements for state certification as a water or wastewater operator.
   5.  The department shall collaborate with the following:
   a.  Municipalities and rural water utilities.
   b.  Community colleges and certified apprenticeship sponsors.
   c.  The department of natural resources and Iowa workforce development for technical guidance and support.
   d.  Employers willing to hire former inmates upon release.
   6.  The department shall submit an annual report to the general assembly by January 15, 2027, and by January 15 each year thereafter, that includes inmate participation, certification rates, employment outcomes, and recidivism statistics for program participants.
   7.  Employers participating in the program in good faith shall be afforded the same liability protections as those currently existing for work release programs and apprenticeships.
   8.  This section is repealed January 16, 2029.
    Sec. 2.  DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS —— WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATOR APPRENTICESHIP AND WORK RELEASE PILOT PROGRAM —— APPROPRIATION.  There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of corrections for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, the following amount, or so much thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purposes designated:
   For the purpose of implementing and administering the water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program established in section 904.914, as enacted by this Act:
   ...................................................................... $    500,000
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates.
   The bill provides that the department of corrections (department), in coordination with the Iowa department of natural resources (DNR) and Iowa workforce development (IWD), shall establish an apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates to train and work as certified water and wastewater operators and to address the shortage of qualified water and wastewater operators in the state; provide inmates with meaningful vocational training, work experience, and a pathway to post-release employment; and promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.
   The bill provides that an inmate is eligible to participate in the program if the inmate: is serving a sentence for a nonviolent offense; is within 24 months of the inmate’s earliest possible release date; has participated and demonstrated good behavior in prison programming; meets the minimum qualifications established by DNR and IWD for apprentices in water and wastewater operations; and is approved by the department and the board of parole for work release.
   The bill provides that the program will include classroom instruction, on-the-job training, supervised work release placements, and assistance with certification exams and job placement. DNR must ensure that training and experience obtained through participation in the program qualifies toward the requirements for state certification as a water or wastewater operator. The department shall collaborate with municipalities and rural water utilities, community colleges and certified apprenticeship sponsors, DNR, IWD, and employers willing to hire former inmates upon release.
   The bill requires the department to submit an annual report to the general assembly by January 15, 2027, and by January 15 each year thereafter, that includes inmate participation, certification rates, employment outcomes, and recidivism statistics for program participants.
   The bill appropriates $500,000 from the general fund of the state to the department of corrections, for FY 2026-2027, to implement and administer the program.
   The pilot program is repealed January 16, 2029.