HB3818 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 26176 RJT 52535 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3818

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Carol Ammons

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 205/9.43 new

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish the Commission on Higher Education in Prison. Provides that the Commission shall be responsible for assisting the Board in implementing and coordinating the recommendations of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force. Provides that within the first 3 months after its first meeting, the Commission shall identify recommendations to implement, with a minimum of 3 recommendations per year. Provides that any recommendations that are identified shall expand access to quality higher education in prison in this State and propel this State to being a national exemplar in the area. Sets forth provisions concerning Commission membership, meetings, responsibilities, and dissolution.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 9.43 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/9.43 new)

Sec. 9.43. Commission on Higher Education in Prison.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Commission" means the Commission on Higher Education in Prison established by this Section.

"Higher education in prison" means post-secondary academic education at the undergraduate and graduate level in both community college and university settings.

(b) The Board shall establish the Commission on Higher Education in Prison. The Commission shall be responsible for assisting the Board in implementing and coordinating the recommendations of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force. Within the first 3 months after its first meeting, the Commission shall identify recommendations to implement, with a minimum of 3 recommendations per year. Any recommendations that are identified shall expand access to quality higher education in prison in this State and propel this State to being a national exemplar in the area.

(c) The Commission shall be composed of all of the following members:

(1) A representative from the Board, appointed by the Board.

(2) A representative from the Illinois Community College Board, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(3) A representative from the Department of Corrections, appointed by the Director of Corrections.

(4) A representative from the Illinois Coalition for Higher Ed in Prison, appointed by the Governor.

(5) A representative from the John Howard Association, appointed by the Governor.

(6) A representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, appointed by Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(7) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(8) Four former students of prison education programs, appointed by the Governor. One of these individuals must have served time in a female-designated facility.

(9) Four current or former educators or administrators of State higher education in prison programs, appointed by the Governor. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

(d) Appointment of members to the Commission shall be made within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, with the first meeting of the Commission to be held at a reasonable period of time thereafter. The Commission shall hold at least 6 meetings each year. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the call of the chairperson.

(e) From among the Commission's members, a chairperson shall be selected by majority vote of the members during the first meeting of the Commission. The chairperson shall preside for a one-year term. A chairperson may seek reelection to the Commission. A chairperson shall be selected by majority vote every year.

(f) The term of membership on the Commission shall be for 3 years.

(g) The responsibilities of the Commission shall include all of the following:

(1) Identifying resources, strategies, and legislative proposals to support the administration and implementation of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force's recommendations.

(2) Exploring the advisability of creating a permanent statewide higher education in prison commission or advising body and making final recommendations to the General Assembly regarding such a body.

(3) Ensuring that currently incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the work of the Commission on a regular basis and provide critical input about the direction of any statewide policy related to higher education in prison.

(4) Presenting, at an annual subject matter hearing, to the General Assembly a report on the Commission's progress and the state of policy and practice in this State. The chairperson of the Commission shall be responsible for fulfilling this obligation. Any accompanying materials shall be made available to the general public on the Board's website.

(5) Issuing a final report to the Board, the Governor and the General Assembly. The final report shall capture the full progress of the Commission and how the Commission has fulfilled its responsibilities. This report must be made available to the general public on the Board's website.

(h) The Commission members appointed by a State agency shall report back to their respective agency on the progress of the Commission in fulfilling its responsibilities.

(i) The Board shall provide administrative and technical support to the Commission and be responsible for administering the Commission's operations and ensuring that the responsibilities of the Commission are met.

(j) Upon the release of its final report, the Commission shall be dissolved.