§ 64-14-302 — Adult Probation and Parole Employment Incentive Program.

Utah § 64-14-302

• Jurisdiction: Utah
• Title 64: State Institutions
• Ch. 64-14: Adult Probation and Parole
• Part 64-14-3: Adult Probation and Parole Employment Incentive Program

Text

(1) There is created the Adult Probation and Parole Employment Incentive Program.
(2) The department and the office shall implement the program in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(3) Beginning July 2026, and each July after 2026, the department shall calculate and report to the office, for the preceding fiscal year, for each region and statewide:
(3)(a) the parole employment rate and the average length of employment of individuals on parole;
(3)(b) the probation employment rate and average length of employment of individuals on felony probation;
(3)(c) the recidivism percentage, using applicable recidivism metrics described in Subsections 63M-7-102(1) and (3);
(3)(d) the number and percentage of individuals who successfully complete parole or felony probation;
(3)(e) if the recidivism percentage described in Subsection (3)(c) represents a decrease in the recidivism percentage when compared to the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year to which the recidivism percentage described in Subsection (3)(c) relates, the estimated costs of incarceration savings to the state, based on the marginal cost of incarceration;
(3)(f) the number of individuals who successfully complete parole and, during the entire six months before the day on which the individuals' parole ends, held eligible employment; and
(3)(g) the number of individuals who successfully complete felony probation and, during the entire six months before the day on which the individuals' parole ended, held eligible employment.
(4) In addition to the information described in Subsection (3), the department shall report, for each region, the number and types of parole or probation programs that were created, replaced, or discontinued during the preceding fiscal year.
(5) After receiving the information described in Subsections (3) and (4), the office, in consultation with the department, shall, for each region:
(5)(a) add the region's baseline parole employment rate and the region's baseline probation employment rate;
(5)(b) add the region's parole employment rate and the region's probation employment rate;
(5)(c) subtract the sum described in Subsection (5)(a) from the sum described in Subsection (5)(b); and
(5)(d) (5)(d)(i) if the rate difference described in Subsection (5)(c) is zero or less than zero, assign an employment incentive payment of zero to the region; or
(5)(d)(ii) except as provided in Subsection (7), if the rate difference described in Subsection (5)(c) is greater than zero, assign an employment incentive payment to the region by:
(5)(d)(ii)(A) multiplying the rate difference by the average daily population for that region; and
(5)(d)(ii)(B) multiplying the product of the calculation described in Subsection (5)(d)(ii)(A) by $2,500.
(6) In addition to the employment incentive payment described in Subsection (5), after receiving the information described in Subsections (3) and (4), the office, in consultation with the department, shall, for each region, multiply the sum of the numbers described in Subsections (3)(f) and (g) for the region by $2,500 to determine the end-of-supervision employment incentive payment for the region.
(7) The employment incentive payment, or end-of-supervision employment supervision payment, for a region is zero if the recidivism percentage for the region, described in Subsection (3)(c), represents an increase in the recidivism percentage when compared to the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year to which the recidivism percentage for the region, described in Subsection (3)(c), relates.
(8) Upon determining an employment incentive payment for a region in accordance with Subsections (5)(d)(ii), (6), and (7), the office shall authorize distribution, from the restricted account, of the incentive payment as follows:
(8)(a) 15% of the payment may be used by the department for expenses related to administering the program; and
(8)(b) 85% of the payment shall be used by the region to improve and expand supervision and rehabilitative services to individuals on parole or adult probation, including by:
(8)(b)(i) implementing and expanding evidence-based practices for risk and needs assessments for individuals;
(8)(b)(ii) implementing and expanding intermediate sanctions, including mandatory community service, home detention, day reporting, restorative justice programs, and furlough programs;
(8)(b)(iii) expanding the availability of evidence-based practices for rehabilitation programs, including drug and alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, anger management, cognitive behavior programs, and job training and other employment services;
(8)(b)(iv) hiring additional officers, contractors, or other personnel to implement evidence-based practices for rehabilitative and vocational programing;
(8)(b)(v) purchasing and adopting new technologies or equipment that are relevant to, and enhance, supervision, rehabilitation, or vocational training; or
(8)(b)(vi) evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation and supervision programs and ensuring program fidelity.
(9) (9)(a) The report described in Subsections (3) and (4) is a public record.
(9)(b) The department shall maintain a complete and accurate accounting of the payment and use of funds under this section.
(9)(c) If the money in the restricted account is insufficient to make the full employment incentive payments or the full end-of-supervision employment incentive payments, the office shall authorize the payments on a prorated basis.

Legislative History

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 214, 2025 General Session