HB 2131 - DIGEST

     Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board of directors must ensure that no resident of Washington state has his or her employment jeopardized by the provision of employment opportunities for inmates.

     Declares that neither the department, an organization operating or managing an inmate work program, or other entity employing inmate labor within the state of Washington may contract with or employ a member of the correctional industries board of directors during the member's time of service on the board, or for a period of two years from the termination of membership on the board of directors.

     Provides that, in establishing the comprehensive inmate work program provided for in RCW 72.09.100, the correctional industries board of directors shall:  (1) Ensure that paid inmate employment will not result in the displacement of employed workers within Washington state, or be applied in skills, crafts, or trades in which there is a surplus or available gainful labor in Washington state, or impair existing contracts for services in Washington state, or negatively impact the opportunity for persons under the age of twenty-one or on public assistance to gain entry level employment; and

     (2) provide that, in employment where noninmate labor would be subject to chapter 39.12 RCW, the wage scale adopted for inmate labor is comparable to that required by law for noninmate labor.