COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

for

H. B. 2809

(By Delegates Poore, Sobonya, Skinner, Morgan, Moye, Poling, D., Campbell, Hartman, Guthrie, Ellem and Miller)

(Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary)

[March 22, 2013]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated, §25-8-1, relating to authorizing the Division of Corrections to implement a responsible parent program pilot project; setting forth requirements to participate in the program; setting forth program goals; and requiring a report.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §25-8-1, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 8. RESPONSIBLE PARENT PROGRAM PILOT-PROJECT.

§25-8-1. Authorization; prerequisites; requirements; report.

    (a) In an effort to improve child and family well-being and to empower men and women with the skills and resources needed to succeed as parents and as family providers, the Division of Corrections is authorized to implement a twenty-four month pilot project to establish a responsible parenting program that:

    (1) Identifies for enrollment in the program persons who:

    (A) Are parents of one or more children;

    (B) Are present or former recipients of Temporary Aid to Needy Families or have one or more children who are receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families;

    (C) Have an income that is at two hundred percent or below the federal poverty level;

    (D) Are within nine months of their release from prison or have been previously incarcerated; and

    (E) Currently reside or will reside in Cabell, Harrison, Kanawha, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph or Wood Counties.

    (2) Includes a course of instruction, that may include, but is not limited to:

    (A) Healthy marriage/relationship skills;

    (B) Parenting skills;

    (C) Job seeking training that includes:

    (i) Knowledge of personal aptitudes, skills and preferences;

    (ii) Knowledge of different types of employment opportunities;

    (iii) Resume drafting, completion of a job application, drafting a cover letter and follow-up letter; and

    (iv) Interview skills;

    (D) Vocational training; and

    (E) Basics of domestic violence.

    (3) Requires the successful completion of a transitional job assignment.

    (b) If a pilot project is implemented by the Division of Corrections, it shall submit a report on the results of the pilot project to the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary one year after implementation of the pilot project. The results shall include, at a minimum:

    (1) Key process measures, including:

    (A) The number of participants served;

    (B) The demographics of participants;

    (C) Attendance/participation in training elements;

    (D) The knowledge acquired by participants;

    (E) Participant behavior changes as a result of program participation;

    (F) The number of participants gaining employment and their wages earned;

    (G) The number of participants completing vocational training;

    (H) The number of participants successfully completing transitional job assignments;

    (I) The number of participants demonstrating workforce readiness; and

    (J) The recidivism rate of participants.

    (2) An unbiased comparison of the outcomes between program participants and similarly situated persons not in the program.