CORRECTIONS: Provides relative to the reentry preparation program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)
Summary
HB351 repeals Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:827.1(E), which is the provision requiring an entrepreneurial educational curriculum as part of the state’s reentry preparation program. In practical terms, the bill removes that specific curriculum requirement from the statutory framework governing reentry programming for incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals preparing to return to the community.
The bill is narrowly drafted and does not create a new program or replace the repealed requirement with another mandate. Instead, it simply eliminates one component of the existing reentry preparation program, leaving the remainder of the statute intact. The fiscal note indicates no impact, suggesting the change is expected to have little or no direct budgetary effect on the state.
Impact
HB351 amends state corrections law by deleting R.S. 15:827.1(E) in full, thereby removing the statutory requirement for an entrepreneurial education curriculum within the reentry preparation program. This affects the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and any entities involved in delivering reentry services, but only to the extent that they are no longer required by law to include that specific curriculum element. The bill does not appear to alter eligibility for reentry services or the broader structure of the program.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the House passed the bill 96-0 and the Senate passed it 38-0. There were no committee transcript snippets provided, so the record reflects a generally uncontroversial measure with broad legislative agreement. The “EN NO IMPACT” note also suggests the bill was viewed as a limited administrative or programmatic adjustment rather than a major policy change.
Contention
No notable contention is evident in the available materials. Because there are no committee discussion transcripts and both chambers approved the bill unanimously, there is no record here of disagreement over whether entrepreneurial training should remain part of reentry programming, how reentry curricula should be structured, or whether the change could affect rehabilitation outcomes. Any potential policy debate would likely center on the value of entrepreneurship education in reducing recidivism versus allowing program flexibility, but that debate is not reflected in the provided history.
Establishes the High Impact Job Program within Louisiana Economic Development and provides for administration of the program (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD EX See Note)