HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2412        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1687

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Frank A. Moran

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act related to educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2412        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1687

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act related to educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 48 of Chapter 127, as appearing in section 80 of chapter 69 of the acts of 2018, is hereby amended by striking the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following: 

The commissioner and administrators of state prisons and county facilities shall maximize a diverse range of educational programming for all emerging adults, ages 18-25. The commissioner shall ensure that at least one educational program leading to the award of a high school equivalency certificate including high school equivalency testing opportunities, and credit that can be applied to high school graduation, is available to persons who are committed to the custody of the department or to a county correctional facility and who have not obtained a high school degree or equivalency. In addition to each such facility providing at least one general high school equivalency (HiSet) class and high school equivalency testing opportunities and classes that can earn credit toward high school graduation, each facility shall also include specialized, age-appropriate educational classes for emerging adults, including all individuals ages 18 thru 25, for both individuals who have and have not obtained a high school degree or equivalency, including but not limited to college readiness and college credit classes, and/or workforce readiness and vocational classes. Access to workforce development, vocational and employment training opportunities in the community shall be maximized as available. All emerging adults shall have the opportunity to access at least four hours of programming daily at least five days a week; at least four hours daily shall be for programming that will be out of cell and congregate, meaning more than one person together without barriers between them to ensure the most conducive educational learning environment. Time allowed for in-cell learning through tablets shall be maximized and considered as additional time toward the already required daily four hours of out of cell learning. Preference for all educational programming will be provided for innovations in the delivery of such programming that include, but not limited to, partnerships with nonprofits and educational institutions that specialize in serving emerging adults and draw upon the talents of staff with lived experiences similar to those incarcerated.