Bill > HB2327

This bill establishes a procedure for the Kansas Secretary of Corrections to issue a "certificate of employability" to eligible inmates upon their release. To qualify, inmates must have earned an educational credential (such as a high school diploma, GED, college degree, or vocational certification) before or during incarceration, maintained good behavior with no major disciplinary violations in the year before release, and achieve a satisfactory score on a job skills assessment test. The certificate can be revoked if the inmate is convicted of a felony after release. The bill allows these certificates to be used as evidence of due care in hiring for employers, potentially helping protect them from negligent hiring claims. Inmates are prohibited from falsely claiming to have such a certificate, with violations considered a class B nonperson misdemeanor. The Secretary of Corrections must submit annual reports tracking the number of certificates issued and the recidivism rates of certificate holders. The goal appears to be supporting inmates' successful reintegration into the workforce by providing documentation of their skills and potential employability while offering some legal protections for employers who hire them.

Justice

Corrections and Juvenile Justice (H)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2327/