HB3833 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 10215 RLC 30440 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB3833

Introduced , by Rep. Robert F. Martwick

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Act. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot project to be instituted within the Department of Corrections. Provides that the goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to provide inmates with useful business skills for use after release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for self-motivated individuals. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and participants shall be taught business skills, such as computer skills, budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking, and realistic goal setting. Provides that inmates who successfully complete the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Establishes eligibility requirements for the Program. Provides that subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program may establish post-release assistance to individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion. Provides that post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover letter, searching for employment, networking events, or mock interviews. Provides that the funding for the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys appropriated to the Department of Corrections for this purpose. Act shall be repealed 5 years after its effective date. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning criminal law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Act.

Section 5. Purpose; Program. The Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot project to be instituted within the Department of Corrections. The goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to provide inmates with useful business skills for use after release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for self-motivated individuals. The Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and participants shall be taught business skills, such as computer skills, budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking, and realistic goal setting. Inmates who successfully complete the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Section 10. Selection. Inmates may be selected to participate in the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program only if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) the inmate is within 3 years of being released from custody of the Department of Corrections;

(2) the inmate has not been disciplined by the Department of Corrections within the past year;

(3) the inmate has a high school diploma or GED;

(4) the inmate has never been convicted of an offense described in Article 11 of the Criminal Code of 2012;

(5) the inmate is not currently affiliated with a gang; and

(6) the inmate is committed to personal change.

Section 15. Post-release assistance. Subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program may establish post-release assistance to individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion. Post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover letter, searching for employment, networking events, or mock interviews.

Section 20. Power of Department. The Department of Corrections shall adopt rules as the Director deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Section 25. Funding. The funding for the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys appropriated to the Department of Corrections for this purpose.

Section 30. Expiration. This Act is repealed 5 years after its effective date.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.