(a) (1) The Correctional Education Council shall develop and recommend an educational and workforce training program for each correctional institution in the Division of Correction.
(2) The programs shall meet the special needs and circumstances of the inmates in each correctional institution.
(3) If the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board makes a funding recommendation under § 9–3207(b)(6) of the State Government Article, a post–secondary education and workforce training program, in accordance with the funding recommendation, shall provide inmates with the requisite training, certifications, and experience to obtain careers in in–demand job sectors.
(b) (1) The Council shall adopt regulations for all correctional institutions in the Division of Correction for the implementation of a mandatory education program for all inmates who fail to attain a minimum educational standard as set forth in this subsection.
(2) The regulations adopted by the Council shall:
(i) require that the educational standard shall be the attainment of a General Educational Development (GED) diploma or a verified high school diploma;
(ii) apply only to any inmate who:
1. was received by the Division of Correction after July 1, 1987;
2. has 18 months or more remaining to be served before a mandatory supervision release date;
3. is not exempted due to a medical, developmental, or learning disability; and
4. does not possess a General Educational Development (GED) diploma or a verified high school diploma; and
(iii) require any inmate who is not exempted under item (ii)3 of this paragraph to participate in:
1. the mandatory education program for at least 120 calendar days; or
2. a workforce skills training program.
(3) The Division of Correction shall report to the Parole Commission the academic progress of an inmate in the mandatory education program.
(c) (1) The Council shall adopt regulations for all correctional institutions in the Division of Correction for the implementation of a mandatory workforce skills training program for all inmates as provided in this subsection.
(2) The regulations shall apply only to an inmate who:
(i) has 18 months or more remaining to be served before a mandatory supervision release date; and
(ii) is not exempted due to a medical, developmental, or learning disability.
(3) The Division of Correction shall report to the Parole Commission the academic progress of an inmate in the mandatory workforce skills training program.
(d) On or before October 30 of each year, the Council shall report its activities to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.
(e) (1) (i) The Council shall actively advocate and promote the interests of educational programs and workforce skills training opportunities in correctional institutions.
(ii) The Council shall seek to ensure that a quality education, equal educational opportunity, and workforce skills training are available to all inmates at correctional institutions.
(2) The Council, on a regular basis, shall review the educational and workforce skills training programs at correctional institutions to ensure that the unique educational and training needs of the populations of the correctional institutions are being satisfactorily met.
(3) The Council shall include in its review:
(i) curriculum guides;
(ii) courses of study;
(iii) resource materials;
(iv) textbooks;
(v) supplementary readers;
(vi) materials of instruction;
(vii) visual and auditory aids;
(viii) supplies;
(ix) teacher performance; and
(x) other teaching aids.
(4) Based on its review, the Council shall recommend and advocate improvements to the educational and workforce skills training programs at correctional institutions.