CT HB05128

Establishes a task force to study costs and benefits of creating a Postsecondary Prison Education Program Office within the Department of Correction.

Task force must examine existing prison education offices, program approval processes, virtual education capabilities, student complaint procedures, curriculum approval standards, data system participation, facility space availability and demand, and strategies other correctional agencies use to expand federal Pell grant access.

Task force membership reduced from 14 to 10 members: two from House Speaker, two from Senate President Pro Tempore, one from House Majority Leader, one from Senate Majority Leader, one from House Minority Leader, one from Senate Minority Leader, plus the undersecretary for criminal justice and Commissioner of Correction.

Initial appointments must be made within 30 days of effective date, with first meeting scheduled within 60 days.

Task force must submit findings and recommendations to General Assembly higher education and judiciary committees by January 1, 2023, and terminates upon report submission or January 1, 2023, whichever is later.