Incarcerated parent pilot program passed

Senators approved a bill May 29 that funds a pilot program for the state Department of Correctional Services to improve parenting skills of incarcerated parents.

LB483, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz, appropriates $250,000 from the Correctional Industries Revolving Fund to the department to implement a two-year pilot program that provides incarcerated parents of children up to five years old evidence-based parent education, early literacy, relationship skills development and re-entry planning prior to their release.

The bill also allows the department to award competitive bid contracts to operate the pilot program and requires them to gather program participation and recidivism data.

The bill passed on a 41-1 vote.