Amends TCA Title 49.
This bill makes certain incarcerated persons eligible for a reconnect grant, as discussed below.<br /> <br /> Under present law:<br /> <br /> (1) The division of rehabilitative services may permit the following incarcerated persons to leave correctional institutions to participate in educational classes and technical vocational training developed by the department of education: persons without a prior record of 30 days or more detention; and persons with a prior record of 30 days or more detention with one previous felony conviction; and<br /> <br /> (2) The department of education is required to formulate a plan to increase the educational and vocational opportunities available to incarcerated persons in the custody of the department of corrections. This plan must emphasize basic educational skills such as reading and writing, but must also include possible use of existing community colleges and vocational school for incarcerated persons who are acceptable security risks and are in need of a marketable skill that cannot be obtained within a correctional institution.<br /> <br /> Under present law, the reconnect grant is one form of financial assistance provided by the net proceeds of the state lottery, and is geared toward adults beginning or returning to higher education. In order to be eligible for a reconnect grant, students must, among other things:<br /> <br /> (A) Not be incarcerated;<br /> (B) Be admitted to an eligible postsecondary institution and enrolled in courses leading to completion of a certificate or associate degree;<br /> (C) Maintain continuous enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution; and<br /> (D) Attend at least as a part-time student.<br /> <br /> This bill makes incarcerated persons who are authorized to enroll in courses offered by a board of regents institution pursuant to (1) or (2) above eligible to receive a reconnect grant for courses leading to completion of a certificate of associate degree, notwithstanding the eligibility requirements described above in (A)-(D).<br /> <br />
This bill makes certain incarcerated persons eligible for a reconnect grant, as discussed below.<br /> <br /> Under present law:<br /> <br /> (1) The division of rehabilitative services may permit the following incarcerated persons to leave correctional institutions to participate in educational classes and technical vocational training developed by the department of education: persons without a prior record of 30 days or more detention; and persons with a prior record of 30 days or more detention with one previous felony conviction; and<br /> <br /> (2) The department of education is required to formulate a plan to increase the educational and vocational opportunities available to incarcerated persons in the custody of the department of corrections. This plan must emphasize basic educational skills such as reading and writing, but must also include possible use of existing community colleges and vocational school for incarcerated persons who are acceptable security risks and are in need of a marketable skill that cannot be obtained within a correctional institution.<br /> <br /> Under present law, the reconnect grant is one form of financial assistance provided by the net proceeds of the state lottery, and is geared toward adults beginning or returning to higher education. In order to be eligible for a reconnect grant, students must, among other things:<br /> <br /> (A) Not be incarcerated;<br /> (B) Be admitted to an eligible postsecondary institution and enrolled in courses leading to completion of a certificate or associate degree;<br /> (C) Maintain continuous enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution; and<br /> (D) Attend at least as a part-time student.<br /> <br /> This bill makes incarcerated persons who are authorized to enroll in courses offered by a board of regents institution pursuant to (1) or (2) above eligible to receive a reconnect grant for courses leading to completion of a certificate of associate degree, notwithstanding the eligibility requirements described above in (A)-(D).<br /> <br />
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111th General Assembly
January 9, 2019
February 26, 2019
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Higher Education Subcommittee of Education