Bill · S.Res. 149· Senate(119-SRES-149)
A resolution designating April 2025 as "Second Chance Month".
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 4/28/2025 — Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2610; text: 3/31/2025 CR S2096)
- Sponsored by
- Amy Klobuchar
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 2
- Introduced
- Adopted by the Senate
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution designates April 2025 as "Second Chance Month." It highlights the challenges faced by individuals returning from prison who deal with automatic legal and societal barriers, known as collateral consequences. The text notes that these barriers can make it hard to find jobs, housing, and education, which can lead to higher rates of returning to crime. It honors the work done by various groups to remove these unnecessary barriers. Finally, it calls on the American people to observe the month through actions that promote awareness and provide closure for individuals with criminal records who have paid their debt.
Yes· 3 of 11
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+3
The resolution notes that collateral consequences particularly impact underserved communities of color.
Does this make housing cost less?+2
The resolution addresses barriers to housing that affect individuals returning from prison.
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?+2
Removing barriers to employment and housing can help reduce poverty for returning citizens and their families.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
The resolution designates April 2025 as "Second Chance Month" under the resolved section, which aims to increase public awareness about the impact of collateral consequences and encourages opportunities for employers and communities to extend second chances to individuals with criminal records. This could help people leaving prison find better support to rebuild their lives.
-
The text honors the work of communities, governmental institutions, nonprofit organizations, congregations, employers, and individuals who remove unnecessary legal and societal barriers preventing people with criminal records from becoming productive members of society, as stated in the resolved section. Recognizing these groups encourages continued assistance for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment and housing.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific provisions, sections, or requirements that create negative consequences, burdens, or penalties for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3Improves Affordable Housing+2Improves Poverty Reduction+2Reduces Homelessness+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Children+1Good For Students+1
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+1
- 4/28/2025
- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2610; text: 3/31/2025 CR S2096)
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/1/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland