§ 63M-7-210 — Pilot program of competency-based career and technical education grants.

(1) As used in this section:
(1)(a) "Certificate program provider" means a technical college that provides competency-based career and technical education.
(1)(b) "Commission" means the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.
(1)(c) (1)(c)(i) "Competency-based career and technical education" means career and technical education that will result in appropriate licensing, certification, or other evidence of completion of training and qualification for specific employment.
(1)(c)(ii) "Competency-based career and technical education" includes services provided under Section 53H-3-1203.
(1)(d) "Qualifying education program" means a program overseen by a city or county prosecutor office to provide for an individual obtaining:
(1)(d)(i) a high school diploma or a Utah high school completion diploma as defined by rule made by the State Board of Education in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; or
(1)(d)(ii) competency-based career and technical education.
(1)(e) "Technical college" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53H-1-101.
(2) In accordance with this section, the commission shall establish a pilot grant program for fiscal year 2019 that funds the costs of two employees who:
(2)(a) are located in different prosecutor offices that operate in areas that have proximity to a technical college; and
(2)(b) oversee a program that provides for participation in a qualifying education program by an individual who is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or pleads no contest to a misdemeanor or third degree felony:
(2)(b)(i) as an alternative to incarceration;
(2)(b)(ii) for a reduction of fines or court fees;
(2)(b)(iii) for a two-step conviction reduction under Section 76-3-402; or
(2)(b)(iv) for a combination of the actions described in Subsections (2)(b)(i) through (iii).
(3) As a condition of participating in a qualifying education program under this section, an individual shall:
(3)(a) comply with the requirements of the plea agreement entered into by the individual, the prosecutor, and the court; and
(3)(b) work with a financial aid officer for a qualifying education program and pay the tuition for the competency-based career and technical education charged by the certificate program provider.
(4) The commission will structure and administer the grant pilot program consistent with other grant program requirements that the commission administers.
(5) The commission shall compile a report regarding this grant pilot program based on performance measures and provide the report by no later than November 30, 2020, to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, and the related appropriations subcommittee.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 9, 2025 Special Session 1