2025 -- H 5599
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION
Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Knight, Cruz, Giraldo, Voas, Alzate, and
Morales
Date Introduced: February 26, 2025
Referred To: House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Council on Postsecondary 1
Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby 2
amended by adding thereto the following section: 3
16-59-29. Corrections education and vocational planning group. 4
(a) There is established a corrections education and vocational planning group (CEVPG) 5
to consider opportunities for career and educational programming in the Rhode Island state prison 6
system, including higher education pathways that have demonstrable benefits including facility 7
safety, public safety, lower recidivism, self-efficacy, intergenerational improvement, and 8
employability. 9
(b) The members of the CEVPG shall be as follows: 10
(1) The commissioner of the department of corrections, or designee, who shall serve as 11
chair; 12
(2) The postsecondary commissioner, or designee; 13
(3) The director of rehabilitative services, department of corrections; 14
(4) The director of the department of business regulation, or designee; 15
(5) The president of the New England Board of Higher Education, or designee; 16
(6) A formerly incarcerated person, appointed by the director of rehabilitative services, 17
department of corrections; and 18
(7) The chairperson of the council on postsecondary education, or designee. 19
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(c) The CEVPG shall consult as necessary with the New England Board of Higher 1
Education, other New England departments of corrections, service providers, and advocates. 2
(d) The CEVPG shall consider policies, implementation strategies, and funding needs, 3
including, but not limited to: 4
(1) Strategic planning for educational challenges and opportunities; 5
(2) Sustainable partnerships with Rhode Island institutions of higher education for the 6
delivery of courses and programs; 7
(3) Credit transfer compacts to ensure higher education institution acceptance of credits 8
earned before and during incarceration, including strategies for completion of degree programs 9
after release from incarceration; 10
(4) College readiness programs; and 11
(5) Coordination with cross-facility and cross-state programs and the New England Board 12
of Higher Education to expand availability of offerings. 13
(e) The CEVPG shall: 14
(1) Assess labor market needs and in-demand skills and credentials for alignment of 15
postsecondary education in prison; 16
(2) Inventory the department of corrections facility needs, including space, staffing, and 17
access to technology and computer equipment, within safety protocols; 18
(3) Assess opportunities for work-based learning and apprenticeships; 19
(4) Identify barriers to continuity of academic programs, support, campus access upon 20
release, and consider the establishment of reentry navigators at participating higher education 21
institutions; 22
(5) Examine ways to prioritize postsecondary and career pathways in the intake and 23
classification processes, and the use of education and career navigators; 24
(6) Examine the supplementation of Pell Grant funding by Rhode Island institutions of 25
higher education for Pell Grant-eligible, formerly incarcerated persons; and 26
(7) Consider state budgetary needs, sources of federal funding in addition to Second 27
Chance Pell Grants, and grant funding regarding implementation and planning for new and existing 28
educational opportunities, especially in coordination with the New England Board of Higher 29
Education and other departments of correction in New England. 30
(f) The CEVPG shall file annual reports on group progress and recommendations 31
beginning on December 1, 2025, with all organizations listed in subsection (b) of this section, as 32
well as with the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of 33
representatives. 34
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
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This act would establish a corrections education and vocational planning group (CEVPG) 1
to consider opportunities for career and educational programming in the Rhode Island state prison 2
system, including higher education pathways that have demonstrable benefits to incarcerated 3
persons. 4
This act would take effect on July 1, 2025. 5
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