SB-75
Labor & Employment

Employment: Preapprenticeship Pathways to Employment Pilot Program.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a prison preapprenticeship program for construction trades training by January 2028.
  • Requires implementation in at least one men's and one women's correctional facility.
  • Provides comprehensive support services including housing, transportation, and career counseling.
  • Mandates annual reporting on program enrollment, completion rates, and job placements starting 2029.

Summary

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas's proposal to establish a construction trades training program in California prisons would create new pathways for incarcerated individuals to pursue careers in skilled labor. The Preapprenticeship Pathways to Employment Pilot Program, set to launch by January 2028, requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to partner with the Department of Industrial Relations to implement training programs in at least one men's and one women's facility through January 2032.

The program would provide Multi-Craft Core Curriculum instruction to individuals within 24 months of release, covering trades such as carpentry, ironwork, sheet metal work, and operating engineering. Participants would receive classroom and hands-on training in construction safety, trade mathematics, and blueprint reading, coordinated with local joint apprenticeship committees. The program includes comprehensive support services spanning employment preparation, behavioral health, housing assistance, transportation, family support, legal aid, and basic needs.

Annual reports to the Legislature beginning January 2029 would track enrollment numbers, completion rates, apprenticeship placements, and program barriers across facilities. The Department must ensure equitable access while adhering to constitutional prohibitions on preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Successful participants would receive certification from approved training providers, positioning them to transition directly into union apprenticeships upon release.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB75 Smallwood-Cuevas
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 9, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
7007PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a prison preapprenticeship program for construction trades training by January 2028.
  • Requires implementation in at least one men's and one women's correctional facility.
  • Provides comprehensive support services including housing, transportation, and career counseling.
  • Mandates annual reporting on program enrollment, completion rates, and job placements starting 2029.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas's proposal to establish a construction trades training program in California prisons would create new pathways for incarcerated individuals to pursue careers in skilled labor. The Preapprenticeship Pathways to Employment Pilot Program, set to launch by January 2028, requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to partner with the Department of Industrial Relations to implement training programs in at least one men's and one women's facility through January 2032.

The program would provide Multi-Craft Core Curriculum instruction to individuals within 24 months of release, covering trades such as carpentry, ironwork, sheet metal work, and operating engineering. Participants would receive classroom and hands-on training in construction safety, trade mathematics, and blueprint reading, coordinated with local joint apprenticeship committees. The program includes comprehensive support services spanning employment preparation, behavioral health, housing assistance, transportation, family support, legal aid, and basic needs.

Annual reports to the Legislature beginning January 2029 would track enrollment numbers, completion rates, apprenticeship placements, and program barriers across facilities. The Department must ensure equitable access while adhering to constitutional prohibitions on preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Successful participants would receive certification from approved training providers, positioning them to transition directly into union apprenticeships upon release.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB75 Smallwood-Cuevas
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 9, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
7007PASS

Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member