HF 3214

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/16/2016 11:43am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; expanding the postsecondary correctional education
program for prison inmates; appropriating money to the Department of
Corrections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin POSTSECONDARY CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Legislative findings and intent. new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that
postsecondary correctional education has the potential to reduce recidivism, increase
employment opportunities for inmates upon release, and have a positive impact on
correctional facility safety and security. The legislature further finds that there is currently
a lack of available postsecondary educational opportunities for inmates in the state's
correctional facilities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Postsecondary education program for inmates. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of
corrections shall expand the department's postsecondary education program for inmates.
The commissioner shall use the funds appropriated for this purpose to fund tuition and
related fees, in whole or in part, for qualified inmates to participate in postsecondary
education programs. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of higher
education, shall approve only accredited, not-for-profit, public or private postsecondary
institutions to operate in the state's correctional facilities. The commissioner may approve
institutions or programs that offer a traditional classroom education, distance learning, or a
combination of classroom and distance learning. The program shall provide inmates with
the opportunity to earn up to a bachelor's degree. To qualify, an inmate must, at a minimum,
have earned a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma. The commissioner
shall establish additional eligibility criteria for inmates to participate in the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated to the commissioner of corrections
to fund the program established in subdivision 2.
new text end