119-hr1633

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1633 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

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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