Senate Bill 302 aims to establish a performance grant program administered by the Department of Corrections (DOC) to incentivize adult probation and parole offices to improve employment rates for individuals under their supervision. The bill outlines a formula for calculating the eligibility and amount of grants based on the increase in employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. Specifically, the DOC will determine a baseline employment rate by averaging the employment rates from fiscal years 2021-22 to 2023-24, and then compare it to the employment rate for the most recent fiscal year. If the difference is positive, the office will receive a grant calculated by multiplying the difference by the number of individuals supervised and $2,500. The funds must be used to provide bonuses for employees of the regional office.

Additionally, the bill mandates the DOC to develop and publish outcome-based measures to assess the effectiveness of the performance grants, including metrics such as employment rates, recidivism rates, and program changes for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. The DOC is also required to prepare annual reports for the legislature detailing the implementation and effectiveness of the grant program, along with recommendations for improvements. This initiative is designed to enhance community supervision outcomes and reduce recidivism through increased employment opportunities for individuals in the correctional system.