1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to corrections; appropriating money for instruction to incarcerated 
1.3 	individuals for employment after incarceration and work release.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. BUILDING PRISON-TO-EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS; 
1.6 	APPROPRIATION.
 1.7 	$2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.8 	of corrections to contract with Minnesota's institutions of higher education to provide 
1.9 	instruction to incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities and to support 
1.10 	partnerships with public and private employers, trades programs, and community colleges 
1.11 	in providing employment opportunities for individuals after incarceration. Funding must 
1.12 	be used for contracts with institutions of higher education and other training providers and 
1.13 	associated reentry and operational support services provided by the agency. The base for 
1.14 	fiscal year 2025 and each subsequent fiscal year is $3,500,000.

1.15 	Sec. 2. WORK RELEASE PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION.
 1.16 	$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.17 	of corrections to expand the use of the Department of Corrections existing work release 
1.18 	program to increase the availability of educational programming for incarcerated individuals 
1.19 	who are eligible and approved for work release. The base for fiscal year 2025 and each 
1.20 	subsequent fiscal year is $1,000,000.