SB59 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

William “Bill” M. BeasleyClyde ChamblissVivian Davis FiguresGreg J. ReedRodger SmithermanTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Pardons and Paroles Board, establishment of pilot program for small business development for ex-offenders, appropriations, at J.F. Ingram State Technical College, Sec. 41-29-320 repealed and superseded

Summary

SB59 creates a pilot program called PREP to help ex-offenders start small businesses by providing training, mentoring, and funding assistance, under the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and repeals an existing statute (41-29-320).

What This Bill Does

It establishes the PREP pilot program by October 1, 2022 to help individuals leaving prison learn how to start a small business and obtain funding, in partnership with J. F. Ingram State Technical College and other resources. It allows coordination with additional partners to provide training, funding, and mentoring, including financing through the Alabama Small Business Incubator Act or other sources. The program will be evaluated to see if it helps those who completed Prison Entrepreneurship Training in the last two years start and sustain small businesses, and selected participants will receive business-plan training and mentoring for up to three years after launching. It requires annual reporting to the Legislature on effectiveness, designates funds to the involved agencies, and remains in effect for five years and six months (repealed automatically on December 31, 2027).

Who It Affects

• Ex-offenders re-entering society who have completed the Prison Entrepreneurship Training Program in the last two years, and who would receive training, mentoring, and help obtaining financing to start a small business.
• State agencies and partners (Board of Pardons and Paroles, Department of Corrections, and J. F. Ingram State Technical College, plus other participating entities) that implement, fund, coordinate, and evaluate the pilot and provide training, mentoring, and resources.

Key Provisions

• Establish the Pilot Program for Small Business Development by Ex-Offenders (PREP) by October 1, 2022, providing training on starting a small business and assistance in obtaining funding, in consultation with J. F. Ingram State Technical College.
• The Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Corrections may coordinate with other entities, including J. F. Ingram State Technical College, to provide resources such as funding, training, and mentoring.
• Help participants obtain financing for their businesses through the Alabama Small Business Incubator Act or other sources.
• Develop an evaluation process to assess whether the program helps individuals who completed the Prison Entrepreneurship Training Program in the last two years start and maintain stable small businesses.
• Selected participants will receive training and mentoring in business-plan development and related topics.
• Provide training locations, participants, and funding for those who did not receive entrepreneurship training during incarceration, and pair participants with mentors for a three-year period after implementing their business plans.
• The Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Corrections will report annually to the Legislature on the program's effectiveness, by the fifth legislative day of each regular session.
• The act becomes effective July 1, 2022, lasts five years and six months, and automatically repeals on December 31, 2027.
• Any funds appropriated for the program must be designated to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections, and J. F. Ingram State Technical College.
• Section 41-29-320 is repealed.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pilot ProgramCorrections Department