BILL NUMBER: AB 1238	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Weber

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2013

   An act to add and repeal Section 3054.5 of the Penal Code,
relating to parole.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1238, as introduced, Weber. Parole: reentry programs.
   Under existing law, the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation is required to establish 3 pilot programs to provide
intensive training and counseling for female parolees to assist in
the successful reintegration of those parolees into the community.
Existing law authorizes the department to establish and operate a
specialized sex offender treatment pilot program for inmates whom the
department determines pose a high risk to the public of committing
violent sex crimes.
   This bill would require the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation to establish up to 5 reentry work training programs
for parolees between 18 and 24 years of age to assist in community
reintegration upon discharge from prison. The reentry programs would
include construction training, academic services, counseling and
mentoring, and tracking of graduates after completion of the program.
The bill would require the department to maintain statistical
information related to the reentry programs, as specified. The bill
would also provide that these provisions would be repealed on January
1, 2016.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 3054.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
   3054.5.  (a) (1) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,
to the extent existing resources are available or additional
resources for these purposes are appropriated, shall establish up to
five reentry work training programs.
   (2) The reentry programs shall target parolees between 18 to 24
years of age to assist in the successful reintegration of those
parolees into the community upon release or discharge from prison so
that those young individuals can transform themselves into productive
citizens with viable futures.
   (b) The reentry programs shall enroll parolees in job training
programs as described in Article 4 (commencing with Section 9800) of
Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.
The reentry programs may include, but are not limited to, the
following components:
   (1) Construction or rehabilitation of very low income housing,
thereby providing training to parolees in the construction trades.
   (2) Enrollment of parolees in academic services leading to a high
school diploma or equivalency.
   (3) Personal counseling and mentoring of parolees from adult role
models.
   (4) Tracking of graduates after completion of the program to offer
additional support.
   (c) The department shall maintain statistical information related
to these reentry programs, including, but not limited to, the number
of parolees served and the rate of return to prison for those
parolees. This information shall be provided to the Legislature upon
request.
   (d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends
that date.