SB-1012 • 2026

Employment of inmates.

Crime Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Smallwood-Cuevas
Last action: 2026-04-24
Official status: Set for hearing May 4.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details on how many apprenticeship opportunities will be available or if all employers will accept these certificates.

Helping Inmates Find Jobs After Prison

This law helps inmates who complete a training program to get jobs as apprentices in construction after they leave prison.

What This Bill Does

Requires the joint advisory committee, along with other state entities, to help graduates of the California Conservation Camp program find state-approved apprenticeships in construction trades upon release from prison.
States that completing the California Conservation Camp program counts as qualifying experience for a state-approved apprenticeship in construction trades.
Necessitates that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, along with other departments, provide certificates to inmates who complete the training program to ensure their eligibility for construction trade apprenticeships.

Who It Names or Affects

Inmates who complete the California Conservation Camp program
Construction trade employers looking for new workers

Terms To Know

Apprenticeship: A job where someone learns a skilled trade by working and studying at the same time.
California Conservation Camp program: A training program for inmates that teaches skills related to forest fire prevention and control.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many apprenticeships will be available.
It is unclear if all construction trade employers will accept these certificates.

Bill History

2026-04-24 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 4.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 22.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L., P.E. & R. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and L., P.E. & R.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 13.
2026-02-10 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1012, as amended, Smallwood-Cuevas.
Employment of inmates.
Existing law establishes the Prerelease Construction Trades Certificate Program in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to increase employment opportunities in the construction trades for inmates upon release. Existing law requires the department to establish a joint advisory committee composed of, among others, representatives from building and construction trades employee organizations to implement the program, as specified. Existing law establishes the California Conservation Camp program to provide for the training and use of the inmates and wards assigned to conservation camps in the furtherance of public conservation, including forest fire prevention and control.
This bill would additionally require the joint advisory committee, in consultation with various state entities, to facilitate the admission of graduates of the
California Conservation Camp program after release into state-approved apprenticeships and apprenticeship
programs,
programs in the building and construction trades,
as specified. The bill would state that successful completion of the program constitutes qualifying experience for a state-approved
apprenticeship, as specified.
apprenticeship in the building and construction trades.
The bill would require the department, in partnership with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the California Conservation Camp program to ensure that individuals who complete the program receive a certificate to ensure eligibility for
state-approved apprenticeship
programs.
programs in the building and construction trades.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF