Bill · H.Res. 289· House(119-HRES-289)
Expressing support for the designation of April 2025 as "Second Chance Month".
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 4/1/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Bruce Westerman
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 7
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses support for designating April 2025 as "Second Chance Month." It highlights how individuals returning from Federal and State prisons face automatic legal and societal barriers known as collateral consequences. These barriers can impact employment, education, and housing stability. The resolution notes that these consequences often exist regardless of the crime's seriousness or the individual's efforts to make amends. By designating this month, the House aims to increase public awareness regarding these barriers. Finally, it encourages communities to provide closure and second chances to those who have paid their debt.
Yes· 3 of 18
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+4
The bill notes that collateral consequences disproportionately affect underserved communities of color.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+4
The resolution explicitly notes that collateral consequences have particularly impacted underserved communities of color.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+3
Increasing employment and housing access can significantly help low-income households.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Public Awareness: The designation aims to increase awareness regarding the impact of collateral consequences and the need for closure for individuals who have paid their debt (Resolution, Section 2, part 1).
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Community Engagement: The resolution calls for opportunities for employers, congregations, and communities to extend second chances to individuals (Resolution, Section 2, part 1, G) and honors the work of those attempting to remove barriers to help individuals become productive members of society (Resolution, part 2).
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Economic and Social Benefits: By addressing barriers to employment, education, and housing, the resolution notes that individuals can better contribute to their families and communities, which can improve economic mobility and reduce recidivism (Preamble).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Children+2Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For Native Americans+2Good For Students+2Good For Business Owners+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+4Improves Affordable Housing+3Improves Poverty Reduction+3Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform+2Reduces Homelessness+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+2Improves Government Transparency+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+2
- 4/9/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/1/2025
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida