Bill · H.R. 1633· House(119-HR-1633)
Workforce Reentry Act
- Introduced
- 2/26/2025
- Last activity
- 2/26/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Lloyd Smucker
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Workforce Reentry Act seeks to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a grant program aimed at helping ex-offenders rejoin the workforce. The bill creates a system for start-up grants and pay-for-performance contracts to promote innovation and the sharing of best practices. It defines eligible entities, which include nonprofits, local boards, and employers, as well as eligible participants who have been imprisoned. The Secretary is authorized to award funds for skills development, job placement, and mentoring. Priority is given to entities that establish partnerships for postsecondary credentials or on-the-job training. The Act also establishes performance reporting and independent evaluation requirements to track success in reducing recidivism.
Yes· 3 of 6
Is this likely to create jobs?+5
The bill funds skills development, job placement, and employer partnerships to help ex-offenders enter the workforce.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill provides workforce development and job placement support targeted at individuals with criminal records.
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?+4
The bill aims to increase earnings and employment stability for individuals transitioning out of prison.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Job Readiness and Support: The bill allows for funds to be used for skills development, job placement, and mentoring to help ex-offenders participate in the workforce (Section 172(c)(1)(B)).
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Targeted Training Opportunities: Priority is given to programs that offer on-the-job training or customized training designed to meet specific employer requirements (Section 172(c)(2)(B)).
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Educational Advancement: The bill encourages partnerships that lead to postsecondary credentials in in-demand occupations (Section 172(c)(2)(A)).
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Comprehensive Support Coordination: Eligible entities are encouraged to create plans to coordinate with other programs to provide essential services such as mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, housing, and transportation (Section 172(d)(7)).
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Early Intervention: Funding can be used for outreach and assessment of individuals who are still in correctional facilities but are due to be released within 90 days (Section 172(f)(1)(C)-(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Eligibility Requirements: To be considered an eligible participant, an individual must have been released from prison or jail no more than 2 years prior to participating, which may exclude those who have been out of the system longer (Section 172(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Funding Limitations for Direct Services: While entities can coordinate with other programs, the grants themselves cannot be used to directly provide substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, or housing services (Section 172(f)(2)(A)).
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Caps on Financial Assistance: There are strict limits on how much of the grant money can be used for specific needs, such as a 15 percent limit on stipends for participants and a 5 percent limit on assistance for emergency situations (Section 172(f)(2)(B)-(D)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Small Business Support+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Union Workers+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+2
- 5/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Burgess OwensRepublican · Utah