Florida2026Vetoed

HB0325

Education and Workforce Development for Inmates

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:35 AM

In one sentence

This law allows the Department of Transportation to fund job training programs, including commercial driver's license courses, for eligible nonviolent inmates in Florida prisons.

Allows the Department of Transportation to use funds from the State Transportation Trust Fund for all workforce development programs instead of only construction projects.
Permits grants to private educational providers, state colleges, and school districts to provide certification and training opportunities inside correctional facilities.
Requires that training programs include courses for Class A and Class B commercial driver licenses.
Mandates the Correctional Education Program under the Department of Corrections to submit an annual report with specific data on inmate education activities.
Authorizes eligible inmates to drive or ride in state-owned vehicles under strict supervision during transport.

Nonviolent inmates who are scheduled for release soon or have two years or less left on their sentence.
The Florida Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections.
Private educational providers, state colleges, and school districts that receive grants.

Inmates must be proficient in English to join commercial driver license training.
A certified correctional officer must always be present when an inmate drives or rides in a state vehicle.
The law does not specify the exact number of inmates who will qualify for these programs.

Plain language

Commercial Driver License (CDL): A special driver's license needed to operate large trucks or buses for work.
State Transportation Trust Fund: The specific pool of money the Department of Transportation uses to pay for these training programs.

Official record

Source attached

Education and Workforce Development for Inmates

Official activity