SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 1300

Education and Workforce Development for Current and Former Inmates
Send via email
SPONSOR
Calatayud
FILED BY
Alexis Calatayud — District 38, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Education and Workforce Development for Current and Former Inmates; Authorizing the Department of Transportation to expend certain funds for all workforce development programs, rather than only construction workforce development programs; authorizing the department to use workforce development funds for certain certification and training opportunities; authorizing employers to apply to the Department of Financial Services for reimbursement of the cost of certain workers’ compensation and automobile liability premiums, subject to appropriation; providing requirements and restrictions for reimbursement, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Creates a $5,000 insurance reimbursement for hiring former inmates.

The Department of Transportation may now use workforce development funds for all transportation programs, not just construction, and must train inmates for commercial driver licenses.

Employers with 100 or fewer employees may apply for up to $5,000 per former inmate to offset workers' compensation and auto liability insurance premiums.

Inmates with two or fewer years remaining on their sentence may drive state-owned vehicles if they complete a commercial driver license training program.

The Correctional Education Program must report on inmate employment outcomes and may establish a prison entrepreneurship program.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Expanded DOT Workforce Development Funding majors. 334.044(35)

AIAllows the Department of Transportation to use workforce development funds for all transportation sectors, not just construction, and to fund private educational providers.

“To expend funds for a workforce development program, in consultation with affected stakeholders, for delivery of projects designated in the department's work program.”
§ 2 Mandatory CDL Training for Inmates majors. 334.62(1)

AIRequires the Department of Transportation to create commercial driver license training for nonviolent inmates with imminent release or two years or less remaining on their sentence.

“Such certification and training opportunities must include programs within the state correctional institutions or correctional facilities to train and license nonviolent, scheduled” bill text, line 82 →
§ 3 Employer Insurance Premium Reimbursement majors. 446.55(2)

AICreates a new program allowing small employers to apply for reimbursement of workers' compensation and auto liability premiums for hiring former inmates with less than two years of driving experience.

“employers may apply to the Department of Financial Services, in a format prescribed by the department, for reimbursement of the proportionate cost of workers' compensation and auto” bill text, line 100 →
§ 4 Inmate Driving Exception for State Vehicles moderates. 945.0913(2)

AIAllows inmates who are participants or graduates of career and technical education or CDL training programs to drive state-owned vehicles on designated property.

“An inmate may drive a state-owned vehicle if he or she is participating in, or a graduate of, a department career and technical education program or a contracted commercial driver” bill text, line 260 →
TIMELINE
3/9/2026
Laid on Table -SJ 692
3/9/2026
Substituted CS/CS/HB 325 (Vetoed by Governor) -SJ 692
3/9/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 692
3/4/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/09/26
3/3/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/2/2026
Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 16 NAYS 0
2/26/2026
On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/25/2026
Now in Fiscal Policy
2/25/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment,...
2/20/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture,...
2/12/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and...
2/11/2026
Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
2/6/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 02/11/26, 3:00 pm, 37...
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on...
1/7/2026
Filed
10 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 334.044
+15 / −2
s. 334.62
+91 / −0
s. 446.55
+363 / −0
s. 944.801
+159 / −6
s. 945.091
+6 / −0
s. 945.0913
+69 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →