Recently passed legislation, HB 2084, states that the Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO) must convene an oversight committee to expand access to construction-related training programs in state correctional facilities and strengthen pathways for incarcerated persons to advance from those programs into state registered apprenticeship programs upon reentering the community.
Community members who have skills in the construction and/or trades industry, lived experience in the carceral system, or any other related skills or experience were encouraged to apply to join this committee. The application was open from December 19, 2024, to January 15, 2025. Committee selection was based on the information applicants provided for consideration.
The first meeting of the Construction Training Pathways Overisght Committee convened on February 28, 2025.
Mission of the Committee
The committee must: (excerpt from Final Bill Report 2SHB 2084)
- Develop, maintain, and publish an inventory of all construction-related training programs in correctional facilities;
- Collect, maintain, and publish information and data on construction-related training programs for the previous four calendar years;
- Assess the viability or progress of transitioning current construction-related training programs to meet state recognized apprenticeship preparation requirements, and transitioning the curriculum for construction-related apprenticeship preparation programs to cover multiple construction crafts;
- Assess any unmet support needed by construction-related training programs for instruction;
- Assess the viability or progress of implementing new state recognized apprenticeship preparation programs in correctional facilities;
- Assess practices for conducting transitional planning and support for participants who complete construction-related training programs; and
- Identify areas of concern and make recommendations for appropriate and necessary changes to policies and practices to the DOC, the SBCTC, L&I, state registered apprenticeship programs, and other appropriate entities.
Committee Member Responsibilities
Members are expected to actively contribute to the success of committee initiatives. This involves taking on specific tasks and delivering results in a timely and effective manner. Here’s what you can expect from membership:
- Task Assignment: Members will receive specific tasks or projects related to the committee’s goals. These assignments will be aligned with your skills and expertise and clearly outlined to ensure you understand your responsibilities.
- Performance Expectations: Each task will have defined outcomes and deadlines. Members will be expected to complete these tasks with a high level of quality and within the stipulated timeframes.
- Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with other committee members, sharing progress updates, collaborating on joint efforts, and participating in discussions to address challenges as they arise.
- Accountability: members will be responsible for meeting the agreed-upon deliverables. Regular check-ins and progress reports may be required to ensure that tasks are on track and any issues are addressed promptly.
- Results-Oriented Approach: Member contributions should drive the committee’s objectives forward.
For questions related to HB 2084, please contact ococonstructionoversight@gov.wa.gov 
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