Committee approves bill to create Prison Industries Enhancement Authority

House Bill 2154, proposing a Prison Industries Enhancement Authority, was reported out of the House Judiciary Committee on a 14–12 vote after counsel outlined the program and members discussed implementation details.

Counsel said the authority would enable the Department of Corrections to apply to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for certification to operate a prison industries enhancement program and to assist units of government that wish to participate. The bill would allow joint ventures between correctional facilities and private industry to employ incarcerated individuals inside facilities, pay a prevailing local wage, and require written consent to participate and to deductions (which are capped at 80 percent of gross wages in the aggregate). Counsel stressed that incarcerated individuals would not be employees of the Commonwealth or counties and that the DOC remains responsible for custody.

Committee members raised questions about prevailing wages, certification requirements and the potential local economic impacts of closing or repurposing facilities; counsel said the authority would make those determinations and that the bill supplements rather than replaces existing programs. After discussion and offers to continue stakeholder conversations, the committee voted to report HB 2154 to the House by roll call, 14–12.

Provenance: Counsel described the authority, followed by member questions on wages and certifications; roll-call votes were recorded.