BILL NUMBER: SB 127	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Polanco

                        DECEMBER 22, 1998

   An act to add Section 2933.7 to the Penal Code, relating to
prisoners.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 127, as introduced, Polanco.  Prisoners: education.
   Existing law provides for credit on a prisoner's term of
imprisonment for good behavior and participation in work and
education programs.
   This bill would provide that a person shall not be eligible to
earn credit on his or her term of imprisonment if the person does not
have a high school diploma or General Education Development
equivalent unless that person is actively participating in an
education program that will lead to a high school diploma or General
Education Development equivalent.  However, this provision would not
apply to any inmate who is determined to be incapable of obtaining a
high school diploma or equivalent based on testing of intellectual
ability.
   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 2933.7 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
   2933.7.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person
shall not be eligible to earn credit on his or her term of
imprisonment pursuant to this chapter if the person does not have a
high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent
unless that person is actively participating in an education program
that will lead to a high school diploma or General Education
Development (GED) equivalent.
   This section shall not apply to any inmate who is determined to be
incapable of obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent based on
testing of intellectual ability.