SB265 Summary

• Reorganizes the Riverside Vocational and Technical School into the Corrections School System, consolidating vocational and technical education for incarcerated persons under one structure.

• Expands the Corrections School System's purpose to provide remedial instruction to persons with high school diplomas or general equivalency degrees, and aligns career and technical education with established industry needs.

• Requires career and technical education programs to meet industry needs as approved by the Board of Corrections after recommendations from the Division of Career and Technical Education and the Office of Skills Development.

• Repeals Arkansas Code §§ 12-29-306 through 12-29-310, which previously established Riverside Vocational and Technical School as a separate state vocational school.

• Eliminates duplicate operational structures to increase resources for instruction and instructional support while ensuring coordination between educational agencies and the Department of Corrections.