[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1633 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1633
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to codify a grant
program to promote and assist in the reentry of ex-offenders into the
workforce.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 26, 2025
Mr. Smucker (for himself and Mr. Owens) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to codify a grant
program to promote and assist in the reentry of ex-offenders into the
workforce.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Workforce Reentry Act''.
SEC. 2. EX-OFFENDERS REENTRY PROGRAM START-UP GRANTS.
Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 172 as section 173; and
(2) by inserting after section 171 the following new
section:
``SEC. 172. EX-OFFENDERS REENTRY PROGRAM START-UP GRANTS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to--
``(1) prompt innovation and improvement in the reentry of
ex-offenders into the workforce so that successful initiatives
can be continued and replicated; and
``(2) allow for the dissemination of information regarding
best practices in preparing ex-offenders for sustained
participation in the workforce.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a private nonprofit organization under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
including a faith-based organization;
``(B) a local board;
``(C) a State or local government;
``(D) an Indian or Native American entity eligible
for grants under section 166;
``(E) an employer or group of employers;
``(F) an institution of higher education;
``(G) an industry or sector partnership; or
``(H) a trade or professional association.
``(2) Eligible participant.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible participant'
means an individual--
``(i) who has been convicted as a juvenile
or an adult and imprisoned under Federal or
State law; and
``(ii) who has not been released from
prison or jail for more than 2 years before the
date on which the individual begins
participation in an activity funded under this
section.
``(B) Exception.--Up to 10 percent of all
participants may be individuals who do not meet the
requirements of clause (ii) of subparagraph (A).
``(3) Evidence-based.--The term `evidence-based' means a
program or practice that--
``(A) is demonstrated effective when implemented
with fidelity;
``(B) is based on a clearly articulated and
empirically supported theory;
``(C) has measurable outcomes relevant to workforce
outcomes for reentering ex-offenders; and
``(D) has been scientifically tested and proven
effective through randomized control studies or
comparison group studies.
``(4) Promising.--The term `promising' refers to a program
or practice that--
``(A) is demonstrated to be effective based on
positive outcomes relevant to workforce engagement for
reentering ex-offenders from one or more objective,
independent, and scientifically valid evaluation; and
``(B) includes ongoing efforts to examine the
effects of such program or practice.
``(c) Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the activities under
this section, the Secretary shall--
``(A) use not less than 30 percent of the funds
made available to carry out this section under section
173(d), to implement pay-for-performance contracts for
a contract period of not more than 4 years with
eligible entities to carry out projects to facilitate
the reentry of ex-offenders into the workforce (which
may include the activities described in subsection
(f)(1)), and which--
``(i) specify a fixed amount that the
Secretary will pay to the entity based on the
achievement of specified levels of performance
on each indicator of performance described in
subsection (g)(1) within a defined timetable;
and
``(ii) may provide for bonus payments from
the Secretary to such entity to expand capacity
to provide effective services; and
``(B) using any funds remaining to carry out this
section under section 173(d), award grants, on a
competitive basis, award grants for a period of not
more than 4 years to eligible entities to enable such
entities to provide skills development opportunities,
job placement services, and mentoring to eligible
participants.
``(2) Priority.--In awarding contracts or grants under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities
that--
``(A) establish partnerships with business,
educational institutions, or eligible providers
identified by the State under section 122 to provide a
program of study leading to postsecondary credentials
in in-demand occupations; or
``(B) provide on-the-job training or customized
training that is designed to meet the specific
requirements of an employer (including a group of
employers) and is conducted with a commitment by the
employer to employ an individual upon successful
completion of the program.
``(3) Additional contracts or grants.--The Secretary may
award, for not longer than a period of 4 years, one or more
additional grants to an eligible entity that received a grant
or contract under this section if the eligible entity achieved
the expected performance levels identified by the eligible
entity under subsection (d)(4) during the preceding grant or
contract period.
``(d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a contract or grant
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to
the Secretary, which shall include each of the following:
``(1) A detailed description of the program including the
core services they will provide, how the eligible entity will
recruit and select eligible participants for the program, how
many participants they plan on serving each year, and the
length of participation in the program.
``(2) A description of evidence-based or promising
practices the eligible entity will use in the administration of
the program.
``(3) A description of partnerships with local businesses
to provide apprenticeship opportunities, work-based learning,
and job placement and recruitment (if applicable).
``(4) The expected levels of performance the eligible
entity will achieve on the indicators of performance described
in subsection (g)(1).
``(5) An assurance that the eligible entity will coordinate
activities with workforce development programs and other
services provided under this title, including utilizing the
one-stop delivery system of the local workforce development
areas to provide appropriate services and recruit eligible
individuals to ensure the maximum number of eligible
individuals will have the opportunity to participate in the
program.
``(6) In the case of a grant, an assurance that the
eligible entity will meet the matching requirement described in
subsection (e).
``(7) A plan to coordinate with other programs and
entities, including those that may be provided by such other
programs and entities, to provide substance abuse treatment
services, mental health treatment services, housing services,
and transportation services.
``(8) An assurance that the eligible entity will provide
the data necessary for the indicators of performance in
subsection (g).
``(9) A plan to continue the program with non-Federal funds
after the grant or contract period.
``(e) Matching Requirement for Grants.--In order to receive a grant
from the Secretary under this section, each eligible entity shall
provide a non-Federal contribution, including cash and in-kind
donations, in the following amounts:
``(1) With respect to the award period of the first grant
awarded to such eligible entity under this section, in an
amount that is not less than 25 percent of the total grant
amount awarded to the eligible entity during such period.
``(2) With respect to any additional award periods, in an
amount not less than 50 percent of the total grant amount
awarded to the eligible entity during such additional period.
``(f) Use of Funds for Grants.--
``(1) In general.--A grant awarded under this section may
be used to--
``(A) provide workforce development and job
placement services to eligible participants, including
occupational skills education, on-the-job training,
apprenticeship opportunities, work experience, job
referrals, basic skills remediation, educational
services, work readiness activities, and post-placement
support, in coordination with the one-stop partners and
one-stop operators that provide services at any center
operated under a one-stop deliver system established
under section 121;
``(B) mentor eligible participants, including the
provision of support, guidance, and assistance in the
community and the workplace to address the challenges
faced by ex-offenders;
``(C) provide outreach to State or Federal
correctional facilities to increase awareness, identify
and recruit eligible participants, provide screening
and assessment of eligible participants and align
educational offerings with existing services available
to individuals who are presently incarcerated;
``(D) coordinate with employers to develop on-the-
job training or customized training programs and
agreements around the hiring of eligible participants;
or
``(E) carrying out the activities described in
subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) with respect to
eligible participants who will be released from prison
or jail within 90 days.
``(2) Limitations.--
``(A) Certain services excluded.--Grants provided
under this section may not be used to provide substance
abuse treatment services, mental health treatment
services, or housing services, except that such a grant
may be used to coordinate with other programs and
entities to provide substance abuse treatment services,
mental health treatment services, or housing services
to eligible participants.
``(B) Administrative cost limit.--A grantee may not
use more than 5 percent of the funds received under a
grant for administrative costs, including for the
purpose of collecting information for purposes of
subsection (g)(1).
``(C) Limit on amount paid as stipends to
participants.--A grantee may not use more than 15
percent of the funds received under such grant to
provide stipends to program participants while
completing an educational or skill development program.
``(D) Limit on funds for emergency situations.--A
grantee may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to
assist eligible participants in an emergency situation.
``(g) Performance Outcomes and Accountability.--
``(1) Indicators of performance.--Each eligible entity
receiving a grant or contract under this section shall report
each year to the Secretary on the primary indicators of
performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) and an
indicator established by the Secretary with respect to
participant recidivism.
``(2) Independent evaluation.--Not later than 5 years after
the date of enactment of this section and from amounts made
available under section 173(d) for this section, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on an independent evaluation
of each grant and contract entered into under this section,
including an assessment of the effectiveness of each such grant
and contract in reducing recidivism and assisting eligible
participants in--
``(A) earning credentials;
``(B) finding and maintaining employment; and
``(C) increasing their earnings.
``(3) Report.--The Secretary shall, on an annual basis--
``(A) submit to the Committee on Education and
Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate, a report, with respect to the preceding
fiscal year, on--
``(i) the number of individuals who
participated in programs assisted under this
section;
``(ii) the percentage of individuals
participating in a program assisted under this
section that successfully completed the
program; and
``(iii) the performance of eligible
entities as measured by the performance
indicators set forth in paragraph (1); and
``(B) publish such report on a publicly available
website of the Department of Labor.
``(4) Disseminating best practices.--Using the findings of
the independent evaluation under paragraph (2) the Secretary
shall disseminate information to State and local government,
local boards, and relevant stakeholders regarding best
practices in providing workforce development opportunities for
ex-offenders and reducing recidivism.
``(h) Administrative Activities.--The Secretary may use up to 2
percent of the funds annually appropriated to carry out the activities
of this section, including disseminating best practices and providing
technical assistance to eligible entities receiving grants or contracts
under this section and partnering businesses regarding the availability
of the work opportunity credit determined under section 51(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize any new appropriations to carry out the purpose
of this section.''.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZED FUNDS.
Section 173(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (as
redesignated by section 2(1)) is amended by striking ``section 169''
and inserting ``sections 169 and 172''.
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