Establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations

This bill establishes a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates. The bill provides that the department of corrections (department), in coordination with the Iowa department of natural resources (DNR) and Iowa workforce development (IWD), shall establish an apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates to train and work as certified water and wastewater operators and to address the shortage of qualified water and wastewater operators in the state; provide inmates with meaningful vocational training, work experience, and a pathway to post-release employment; and promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. The bill provides that an inmate is eligible to participate in the program if the inmate: is serving a sentence for a nonviolent offense; is within months of the inmate’s earliest possible release date; has participated and demonstrated good behavior in prison programming; meets the minimum qualifications established by DNR and IWD for apprentices in water and wastewater operations; and is approved by the department and the board of parole for work release. The bill provides that the program will include classroom instruction, on-the-job training, supervised work release placements, and assistance with certification exams and job placement. DNR must ensure that training and experience obtained through participation in the program qualifies toward the requirements for state certification as a water or wastewater operator. The department shall collaborate with municipalities and rural water utilities, community colleges and certified apprenticeship sponsors, DNR, IWD, and employers willing to hire former inmates upon release. The bill requires the department to submit an annual report to the general assembly by January 15, 2027, and by January each year thereafter, that includes inmate participation, certification rates, employment outcomes, and recidivism statistics for program participants. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the general fund of the state to the department of corrections, for FY 2026-2027, to implement and administer the program. The pilot program is repealed January 16, 2029.