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SB 1012

Employment of inmates.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lola Smallwood-Cuevas

SB 1012 expands inmate preapprenticeships into state-approved construction apprenticeships, with advanced standing for conservation camp graduates.

Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and L. & E.
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Bill Summary · SB 1012

Summary of SB 1012 (2025-2026) — Employment of Inmates

Proposed by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas; co-sponsored by Lola Smallwood-Cuevas

Jurisdiction: California
Bill number: SB 1012
Session: 2025–2026
Status: Amended and moved through the Senate; scheduled for hearing (as of the latest action history shown)

1) Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to expand and formalize pathways for inmates to transition into construction trades and related apprenticeship programs upon release.
  • It builds on existing programs (notably the Prerelease Construction Trades Certificate Program) and the California Conservation Camp program, enhancing their connection to state-approved apprenticeships and employment in the building and construction trades.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Section 2716.5 (amended): Establishes the Prerelease Construction Trades Certificate Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to boost post-release employment in construction trades.
    • Creates a joint advisory committee to implement the program, including:
    • Representatives from building and construction trades employee organizations
    • State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
    • Joint apprenticeship training programs
    • California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority
    • Division of Apprenticeship Standards
    • Labor and Workforce Development Agency
    • Other appropriate representatives
    • Committee responsibilities include:
    • Developing guidelines for inmate participation in preapprenticeship training (matching a multicraft core curriculum with state education and workforce boards)
    • Developing and implementing a prerelease construction trades certification verifying completion of required instruction, skills, and competencies
    • Ensuring compliance with Division of Apprenticeship Standards rules
    • Evaluating prerelease on-the-job training against registered apprentices’ competencies
    • Exploring electronic tracking of inmate activities to capture competencies
    • Exploring prerelease credit for apprenticeship hours recognized by joint apprenticeship programs and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards
    • Facilitating admission of graduates of inmate preapprenticeship programs and CA Conservation Camp graduates into state-approved apprenticeships, with advanced standing where appropriate
  • Section 2716.6 (new): Adds a new statutory section requiring the joint advisory committee (in consultation with CDCR, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Industrial Relations, and the California Conservation Camp program) to:
    • Facilitate admission of program graduates after release into relevant state-approved apprenticeships in the building and construction trades (including general construction and heavy equipment operations) with advanced standing based on prior coursework and work experience
    • Provide that successful completion of conservation camp programs (e.g., wildland firefighting, environmental remediation, forestry management, emergency response, hazardous waste cleanup) constitutes qualifying experience for a state-approved apprenticeship under the Division of Apprenticeship Standards
    • Ensure certification for fire camp training and work experience to support eligibility for state-approved apprenticeships
    • Allow state-approved apprenticeship programs outside the construction trades to evaluate Conservation Camp graduates for admission with advanced standing based on prior coursework and experience

3) Who is affected

  • Incarcerated individuals participating in preapprenticeship and prerelease construction trades activities.
  • Graduates of the California Conservation Camp program (fire and conservation corps participants) seeking entry into state-approved apprenticeships.
  • State agencies and programs involved in apprenticeships and workforce development:
    • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
    • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire)
    • Division of Apprenticeship Standards (within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency)
    • California Conservation Camp program
    • State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
    • Other joint apprenticeship training programs and related entities

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill amends Penal Code sections and adds a new section (2716.6) to codify process for admissions with advanced standing into apprenticeships.
  • Action history indicates committee hearings and amendments in early 2026, with recent amendments and a scheduled hearing in April 2026.
  • Implementation would require coordination among multiple state agencies and advisory committees, and development of guidelines, certification instruments, and potential electronic tracking systems for competencies.

5) Fiscal considerations

  • The Digest notes: no appropriation is requested in the bill text itself (no new state funding identified in the summary), but fiscal committee input is indicated. Implementation would likely entail administrative costs for the CDCR, Cal Fire, and the apprenticeship governance bodies, plus potential costs for certification and tracking systems.

6) Bottom-line impact

  • SB 1012 would strengthen the link between inmate preapprenticeship programs and legitimate, state-approved apprenticeships in construction trades, expanding opportunities for successful reentry.
  • It formalizes recognition of Conservation Camp experience as qualifying apprenticeship experience and broadens admission pathways with advanced standing based on prior coursework and work experience.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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