CT HB06228

Higher education institutions are prohibited from inquiring about or considering a prospective student's prior arrests, criminal charges, or convictions during admissions, enrollment, or financial aid eligibility determinations, effective July 1, 2021.

A Postsecondary Prison Education Program Office is established within the Department of Correction, reporting to the Commissioner, with responsibility to approve institutions offering prison education programs by July 1, 2023.

Approved institutions must meet six criteria including establishing academic and student service plans, providing trained advisors, offering disability accommodations, providing reentry counseling, and establishing complaint processes for incarcerated students.

The office prioritizes approval of institutions with prior prison education experience, participation in federal Pell Grant Program or no-cost programs, and ability to provide in-person instruction, though asynchronous programs may be approved only when in-person delivery is impossible.

Higher education institutions operating prison education programs must provide uniform financial aid information to accepted students using U.S. Department of Education templates, and students must participate in any program assessments or evaluations.