summary
Introduced
11/04/2025
11/04/2025
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to education and workforce development for inmates; amending s. 334.044, F.S.; authorizing the Department of Transportation to expend certain funds for all workforce development programs, rather than only construction workforce development programs; authorizing the department to provide grants to private educational providers to use for certain certification and training opportunities; amending s. 334.62, F.S.; requiring certification and training opportunities to include training for specified commercial driver licenses to certain inmates; providing eligibility; authorizing the department to use workforce development funds for certain certification and training opportunities; amending s. 944.801, F.S.; requiring the Correctional Education Program under the Department of Corrections to annually submit a report to the Secretary of Corrections with specified information; authorizing the Correctional Education Program to implement a career and technical education program in which certain inmates can earn specified commercial driver licenses; providing eligibility; amending s. 945.091, F.S.; authorizing an inmate to be transported in or to operate a state-owned vehicle under certain hb325-02-c2 circumstances; requiring a certified correctional officer to be present during such transport or operation; amending s. 945.0913, F.S.; authorizing inmates to drive a state-owned vehicle under certain circumstances; requiring a certified correctional officer to be present during such transport or operation; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill expands workforce development programs for inmates, allowing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to use funds for broader training initiatives beyond just construction, including grants to private educational providers for certification and training opportunities. It specifically mandates that these opportunities include training for commercial driver licenses (CDLs), such as Class A and Class B, for eligible nonviolent inmates who have two years or less remaining on their sentence, requiring English proficiency for participation. The bill also enhances the Correctional Education Program by requiring annual reports on inmate training completion, employment outcomes, and alignment with career goals, and it allows this program to implement CDL training for eligible inmates. Furthermore, it permits inmates to operate or be transported in state-owned vehicles under specific conditions, such as completing a CDL program, with the mandatory presence of a certified correctional officer during such operations or transport.
Committee Categories
Education, Labor and Employment
Sponsors (3)
Other Sponsors (2)
Careers & Workforce Subcommittee (House), Education & Employment Committee (House)
Last Action
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026) (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325/BillText/c2/PDF |
| Analysis - Education & Employment Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325/Analyses/h0325b.EEC.PDF |
| https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325/Amendment/832527/PDF | |
| Analysis - Education & Employment Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325/Analyses/h0325a.EEC.PDF |
| Analysis - Careers & Workforce Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325/Analyses/h0325.CWS.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325/BillText/c1/PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/325/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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