Bill > AB746

This bill establishes the Inmate Cooperative Program within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which allows inmates to form worker-owned cooperatives within state prisons. Inmates can apply to create a cooperative by submitting a detailed application to the prison warden, including draft bylaws, a business plan focused on sustainable industries, and a safety plan. Once approved, the cooperative must incorporate with the help of a community partner and will be certified by the program. The bill requires that 40% of each inmate's gross wages be deposited into a "Green Cooperative Reentry Reserve" to create economic opportunities for those impacted by the criminal justice system. Wage distribution is structured to include mandatory deductions for taxes and restitution, with remaining funds split between the inmate's trust account and a savings account to be accessed upon release. The program aims to reduce recidivism by providing inmates with meaningful work experience, financial literacy training, and opportunities for skill development in environmentally sustainable industries. Cooperatives will have access to necessary resources and must comply with labor and safety standards, with a focus on preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society by developing work skills and economic independence.

Budget and Finance, Justice, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB746