Assigned to ED & APPROP FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to ED & APPROP FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
county jail education programs; age
Purpose
Increases the funding for county jail education programs and increases the age of prisoners required to be served in a county jail education program.
Background
Each county that operates a county jail is required to offer an education program for prisoners who are under 18 years of age and prisoners with disabilities who are 21 years of age or younger. A county may operate its county jail education program through an accommodation school that provides alternative education services, except that each pupil enrolled must be funded at 72 percent of the amount the pupil would generate at another accommodation school. If a county chooses not to operate its county jail education program through an accommodation school, the county school superintendent may establish a County Jail Education Fund (Fund) to provide financial support to the program. The Fund consists of a base amount and a variable amount, determined by a statutory formula, both funded by the state General Fund and subject to appropriation (A.R.S. § 15-913.01).
There may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation due to the increase of funding for county jail education programs operated through an accommodation school.
Provisions
1. Increases the per pupil funding for county jail education programs operated through an accommodation school from 72 percent to the full amount a pupil would be funded at another accommodation school program.
2. Increases, from 18 to 21, the maximum age of prisoners required to be served in county jail education programs and specifies the education program is offered to prisoners who do not have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 13, 2018
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