PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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People & committees
Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11] · R–PA
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 19, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2025-02-26 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The proposed Workforce Reentry Act would create grants and contracts to help people who have been imprisoned prepare for work and find jobs. Participants generally would need to begin within two years after release, with a limited exception. Providers could offer training, job placement and mentoring; some funding would pay providers based on results. The bill would require reporting and independent evaluation. It would amend an existing funding provision without authorizing new appropriations.
This Act may be cited as the Workforce Reentry Act.
provide skills development opportunities, job placement services, and mentoring to eligible participants.
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.
Up to 10 percent of all participants may be individuals who do not meet the requirements of clause (ii) of subparagraph (A).
specify a fixed amount that the Secretary will pay to the entity based on the achievement of specified levels of performance
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on an independent evaluation of each grant and contract entered into under this section
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any new appropriations to carry out the purpose of this section.
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.
Section 2 would add a workforce reentry program to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Its stated goals are to encourage approaches that can be continued and repeated elsewhere and to share information about effective practices; these are goals, not demonstrated results.
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: 172. ex-offenders Reentry Program Start-up Grants
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.
Eligible providers would include qualifying nonprofits, including faith-based organizations; local boards; state and local governments; qualifying Indian or Native American entities; employers; higher education institutions; industry partnerships; and trade or professional associations.
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.
Participants would need to have been convicted as juveniles or adults and imprisoned under federal or state law. Generally, they could not have been out of prison or jail for more than two years when participation begins. Up to 10 percent of participants could fall outside that release-time limit; the exception would not waive the conviction and imprisonment requirement.
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).
Applicants would have to describe the evidence-based or promising practices they would use. An evidence-based practice would need scientific testing using randomly assigned or comparison groups, measurable workforce outcomes and other specified support. A promising practice would need positive results from at least one independent, scientifically valid evaluation and continued study.
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.
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.
A description of evidence-based or promising practices the eligible entity will use in the administration of the program.
The Secretary would have to use at least 30 percent of available program funds for contracts lasting no more than four years that pay providers for meeting specified performance targets on a timetable. Contracts could also include bonuses to expand effective services.
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
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
Remaining program funds would support competitively awarded grants lasting no more than four years for skills development, job placement and mentoring.
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.
Award priority would go to providers with partnerships offering education beyond high school that leads to credentials for occupations in demand, or employer-focused training backed by an employer commitment to hire people who successfully complete it.
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.
The Secretary could award additional grants, for periods no longer than four years, to previous grant or contract recipients that met their expected performance levels during the preceding award period. Additional awards would be discretionary.
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.
Applications would have to describe services, recruitment and selection, expected annual participation, participation length, applicable business partnerships and expected performance levels.
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.
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).
Applicants would have to coordinate with existing workforce programs and the local system that brings workforce services together. They would also need plans to coordinate access to substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, housing and transportation.
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.
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.
Applicants would have to promise to supply performance data and submit a plan to continue the program with nonfederal funding after the award ends. Grant applicants would also have to assure compliance with the matching requirement.
In the case of a grant, an assurance that the eligible entity will meet the matching requirement described in subsection (e).
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.
Grant recipients would have to contribute nonfederal resources, which could include cash or donated goods and services. The minimum would be 25 percent of the grant amount for the first award period and 50 percent for additional award periods.
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.
Grants could fund occupational education, workplace training, apprenticeships, work experience, job referrals, basic education, preparation for work and support after job placement, coordinated with existing workforce service centers. They could also fund mentoring in the community and workplace.
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
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
Grants could support outreach, recruitment, screening and coordination of education at state or federal correctional facilities, as well as employer training and hiring agreements. The listed services could also be provided to eligible participants scheduled for release within 90 days.
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
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.
Grants could not pay to provide substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment or housing services. They could pay to coordinate those services through other programs and entities.
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.
Grant spending would be capped at 5 percent for administration, including performance-data collection; 15 percent for payments to participants while completing education or skills programs; and 5 percent for emergency assistance to eligible participants.
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).
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.
A grantee may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to assist eligible participants in an emergency situation.
Every grant and contract recipient would have to report annually on performance measures referenced in existing law and a measure established by the Secretary concerning recidivism—return to criminal offending. The bill does not reproduce the existing measures or specify how recidivism would be measured.
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.
Within five years after enactment, the Secretary would have to report to Congress on an independent evaluation of every grant and contract. Using program funds, the evaluation would assess reduced recidivism, credentials earned, obtaining and keeping employment, and increased earnings.
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.
The Secretary would have to send an annual report to the designated House and Senate committees and publish it on the Department of Labor website. It would cover the preceding fiscal year's participation, completion percentage and provider performance.
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.
The Secretary would have to use the independent evaluation to share information about effective workforce reentry and recidivism-reduction practices with state and local governments, local boards and other relevant groups.
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.
The Secretary could use up to 2 percent of annually appropriated program funds for administrative activities, including sharing effective practices and helping recipients and partner businesses understand the availability of an existing work opportunity tax credit.
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.
Section 3 would add the new program's section number to an existing funding provision. The bill expressly would not authorize new appropriations, meaning new authority for funding through spending legislation. The supplied text does not state a dollar amount or reproduce the existing funding provision.
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.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any new appropriations to carry out the purpose of this section.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated September 19, 2026, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on February 26, 2025. It does not establish any later legislative action or enactment.
Source snapshot updated 2026-09-19T23:32:39Z. 2025-02-26: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2025-02-26. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy change attached to appropriations was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This text-limited conclusion does not establish formal earmark status or absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
None identified in the reviewed text
No materially narrow preferential benefit beyond ordinary program eligibility, participation rules and award criteria was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Sep 19, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI