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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
prisoners; braille transcriber training program
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) to establish a Braille Transcribing Training Program (Program) for inmates and appropriates $250,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2022 to ADC for the Program.
Background
ADC provides supervisory staff and administrative functions at the state level on all matters relating to the institutionalization or rehabilitation of adult offenders (A.R.S. § 41-1602). Inmates are offered five education-related types of services including work-based programs that are designed to assist inmates with gaining marketable employment skills that may assist with gaining employment within the prison setting or upon release (ADC).
H.B. 2672 appropriates $250,000 from the state GF in FY 2022 to ADC.
Provisions
1. Requires ADC to establish a Program to offer inmates vocational training in braille transcription.
2. Allows the Program to operate in a correctional facility that is run by or that contracts with ADC.
3. Requires the Director of ADC to create an application process and selection criteria and set minimum performance standards for service providers wishing to participate in the Program.
4. Requires a service provider wishing to participate in the Program to:
a) be a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code;
b) have provided braille transcription services in Arizona and have offered braille transcriber training programs to inmates for at least 10 years by the time of application;
c) be able to provide oversight of physical braille embossing and production in a correctional facility;
d) be able to provide technical support for embossing equipment and braille transcription software in a correctional facility; and
e) be able to transition the support that is provided to a Program participant if the inmate is discharged from imprisonment.
5. Requires ADC to award grants to service providers that meet outlined requirements.
6. Requires each service provider to submit an annual report to ADC that includes:
a) the number of inmates participating in the Program;
b) the number of inmates who have completed the Program and received braille certification;
c) the response rate to provide transition support to a Program participant who has been discharged from imprisonment;
d) the number of transcribed titles and page count; and
e) a descriptive summary of the evaluation and professional development of braille transcribers.
7. Appropriates $250,000 from the state GF in FY 2022 to ADC for the Program and exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
8. Prohibits the grant from exceeding the total amount of monies appropriated to ADC for the Program.
9. Terminates the Program on July 1, 2031.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 2/8/21 DP 14-0-0-0
APPROP 2/10/21 DP 12-1-0-0
3rd Read 3/1/21 46-6-8
Prepared by Senate Research
March 12, 2021
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