BILL NUMBER: AB 2129	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Jones-Sawyer

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2014

   An act to add Article 2.2 (commencing with Section 3014) to
Chapter 8 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, relating to
inmates.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2129, as introduced, Jones-Sawyer. Inmates: reentry program.
   Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation to establish parole reentry and assessment programs
for inmates in state prison, in order to assess the inmate prior to
release and to assist with the inmate's reentry into the community
while on parole.
   This bill would require the department to establish a voluntary
prerelease reentry program for inmates in prison, to commence no
later than 6 months prior to the inmate's release from prison. The
program would include, among other things, education programs,
transition programs including employment services and skills, and
cognitive behavior therapy, including substance abuse treatment and
anger management.
   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.  Article 2.2 (commencing with Section 3014) is added to
Chapter 8 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, to read:

      Article 2.2.  Prerelease Voluntary Reentry Program


   3014.  (a) The department shall create and implement a voluntary
prerelease reentry program, for all inmates, as appropriate.
Participation in the program is voluntary and shall commence no later
than six months prior to release from prison.
   (b) The program shall include, but not be limited to, adult basic
education, career technical education, postsecondary education, and
transition programs. The transition programs shall include, but are
not limited to, transition planning, employment services and skills,
financial literacy, and housing assistance. The program shall also
include cognitive behavior therapy, including, but not limited to,
substance abuse treatment, anger management, and family
relationships.