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AMENDED
May 10, 2001
H. 3101
Introduced by Reps. Huggins, Robinson, Wilder, Altman, Clyburn and Campsen
S. Printed 5/10/01--H.
Read the first time January 9, 2001.
TO AMEND TITLE 24, CHAPTER 13, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PRISONERS CONFINED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT REFERRAL PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AS A STATEWIDE EMPLOYMENT REFERRAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REINTEGRATE INMATES INTO THE LABOR FORCE AFTER SERVING THEIR SENTENCES IN A DEPARTMENT FACILITY.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Title 24 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 24-13-2110. To aid incarcerated individuals with reentry into their home communities of this State, the South Carolina department of Corrections shall assist inmates in preparing for meaningful employment upon release from confinement. The South Carolina Department of Corrections shall coordinate efforts in this matter with the Employment Security commission, Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Alston Wilkes Society, and other private sector entities.
Section 24-13-2120. The Department of Corrections, Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Employment Security Commission, and the Alston Wilkes Society shall adopt a memorandum of understanding that establishes the respective responsibilities of each agency. Each agency shall adopt policies and procedures as may be necessary to implement the memorandum of understanding.
Section 24-13-2130. The memorandum of understanding between the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment Security commission, Alston Wilkes Society, and other private sector entities shall establish the role of each agency in:
(1) ascertaining an inmate's opportunities for employment after release from confinement and providing him with vocational and academic education and lifeskills assessments as may be appropriate;
(2) developing skills enhancement programs for inmates, as appropriate;
(3) coordinating job referrals and related services to inmates prior to release from incarceration;
(4) encouraging participation by inmates in the services offered;
(5) developing and maintaining a statewide network of employment referrals for inmates at the time of their release from incarceration and aiding inmates in the securing of employment;
(6) identifying and facilitating other transitional services within both governmental and private sectors;
(7) surveying employment trends within the State and making proposals to the Department of Corrections regarding potential vocational training activities.
Section 24-13-2140. The Department of Corrections shall coordinate the efforts of the affected state agencies through the Program Services administration. The Department of Corrections shall:
(1) develop such policies and standards as may be necessary for the provision of assessment, training, and referral services;
(2) obtain information from appropriate agencies and organizations affiliated with the services to determine actions that should be undertaken to create or modify these services;
(3) disseminate information about the services throughout the State;
(4) provide information and assistance to other agencies, as may be appropriate or necessary, to carry out the provisions of this chapter;
(5) provide inmates of the Department of Corrections information concerning postrelease job training and employment referral services and information concerning services that may be available from the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, the Department of Mental Health, and the Office of Veterans Affairs;
(6) prepare an annual report that will be submitted to the directors of each agency that is a party to a memorandum of understanding as provided for in Section 41-38-20;
(7) negotiate with Alston Wilkes Society and private sector entities concerning the delivery of assistance or services to inmates who are transitioning from incarceration to reentering their communities."
SECTION 2. Chapter 31, Title 43 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 43-31-160. In addition to the duties of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation as set forth in Sections 43-31-20 and 43-31-60, the department shall provide services authorized by this chapter to individuals who have committed criminal offenses and are or have been incarcerated in the Department of Corrections when these individuals suffer from physical or mental disabilities that may constitute a substantial handicap to employment.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor; however, the implementation of this act is contingent upon the appropriation of necessary funds to carry out the provisions of the act.
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