Assembly Bill 297 aims to enhance employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision by establishing a performance grant program administered by the Department of Corrections (DOC). The bill mandates that DOC award grants to adult probation and parole offices based on the increase in employment rates within their respective regions. A formula is provided to calculate the eligibility for these grants, which involves determining a baseline employment rate from fiscal years 2021-24 and comparing it to the employment rate of the most recent fiscal year. If the difference is positive, the office is eligible for a grant calculated by multiplying the difference by the number of individuals under supervision in the region and $2,500. The funds received must be used to provide bonuses for the employees of the regional office.

Additionally, the bill requires DOC to develop and publish outcome-based measures to assess the effectiveness of the performance grants. These measures will include employment rates, the percentage of individuals who commit new crimes while under supervision, and the number of individuals who successfully complete their supervised status. The DOC is also tasked with preparing annual reports for the legislature that detail the implementation of the grant program and provide recommendations for improvements. Overall, the bill seeks to incentivize better employment outcomes for individuals under community supervision, thereby potentially reducing recidivism and correctional costs.