Establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations

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 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 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 The pilot program is repealed January 16, 2029.