This bill establishes a pilot program for water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release for inmates in Iowa, aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified operators in the state. The program will be coordinated by the Department of Corrections in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Workforce Development. It is designed to provide inmates with vocational training, work experience, and a pathway to employment post-release, while also promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Inmates eligible for the program must be serving sentences for nonviolent offenses, be within 24 months of their earliest possible release date, demonstrate good behavior, meet minimum qualifications for apprentices, and receive approval for work release.

The program will include classroom instruction aligned with state certification requirements, on-the-job training, supervised work placements, and assistance with certification exams and job placement. The Department of Natural Resources will ensure that the training qualifies for state certification as a water or wastewater operator. The bill also mandates the submission of an annual report to the General Assembly detailing participation, certification rates, employment outcomes, and recidivism statistics. To fund the program, $500,000 is appropriated from the general fund for the fiscal year 2026-2027, and the pilot program is set to be repealed on January 16, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 904.914