Bill description: HB 373 states that inmates are considered trainees, not employees, and allows for additional deductions from their earnings.

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Does it directly or indirectly create or increase penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for nonviolent crimes? Conversely, does it eliminate or decrease penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for non-violent crimes?

HB 373 makes numerous changes to Chapter 4, Title 20, Idaho Code, known as the Idaho Correctional Industries Act. Among other things, it defines "compensation" for labor as a "training stipend" and defines those engaged in "inmate labor" as "trainees."

Additionally, the new language lets the government deduct from any training stipend an inmate earns money both for "reentry savings" and for "any other deduction otherwise authorized by law or adopted by rule of the board."

These measures serve to reduce the status and compensation of inmates.

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