1.Short
title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Protecting Our Communities by Making Returning Offenders
Better Citizens Act of 2004
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title;
table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I—Office of community justice services
Sec. 101. Establishment of Office of Community Justice
Services.
Sec. 102. National Offender
Reentry Initiative Clearinghouse.
TITLE II—Grant programs
Sec. 201. Reentry preparation grants.
Sec. 202. Transition to community grants.
Sec. 203. Community-based supervision and support
grants.
Sec. 204. Administrative provisions.
TITLE III—Civic education for reentering federal
prisoners
Sec. 301. Civic education for reentering Federal
prisoners.
TITLE IV—Grants for research, training, and technical
assistance
Sec. 401. Grants for research, training, and technical
assistance.
TITLE V—Authorization of appropriations
Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.
2.Congress finds the following:
(1)
More than 2,000,000 people are incarcerated in Federal or State
prisons and local jails in the United States.
(2)
Of the individuals now in prison, 97 percent will eventually be
released back into American communities. More than 630,000 of these inmates are
released into the Nation's communities every year.
(3)
The Bureau of Justice Statistics has found that 67.5 percent of
prisoners released from incarceration in 1994 were rearrested within 3
years.
(4)
Many of the men and women who will leave prison and jail each
year have a variety of substance abuse disorders, low levels of education and
job training, face significant barriers to employment, and lack housing upon
their release.
(5)
Felony convictions can also disqualify released offenders from
voting and other rights. Under some State laws, these disqualifications can be
permanent. While many States allow for the restoration of voting and civic
rights to ex-offenders, this information is not routinely given to ex-offenders
upon their release.
(6)
Returning offenders have significant educational needs. Fewer
than one-half of released prisoners have a high school education. Studies have
found that approximately one-third of prisoners cannot locate an intersection
on a street map; one-third cannot explain in writing a billing error; and only
1 in 20 can determine which bus to take from a schedule.
(7)
State and local governments have not been able to maintain prison
education programs in the face of a prison population that has doubled in the
past decade. As a result, according to the National Institute for Literacy, the
percentage of prisoners participating in correctional education programs is
declining.
(8)
The United States Department of Education found that
participation in correctional education programs lowers the likelihood of
reincarceration by 29 percent, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons found a 33
percent drop in recidivism among Federal prisoners who participate in
vocational and apprenticeship training.
(9)
According to the National Institute of Justice, 60 percent of
formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed after 1 year of release.
Unemployment can contribute to the likelihood of repeating criminal
conduct.
(10)
Formerly incarcerated individuals face unique barriers in the job
market. They may be legally disqualified from certain types of employment and
barred by law from obtaining professional licenses in fields such as
cosmetology, transportation, and home health care.
(11)
Research has found that job training and placement programs for
ex-offenders increase the employment of offenders and reduce recidivism.
(12)
Drug and alcohol abuse is a persistent concern at every stage of
the criminal justice process. Eighty-one percent of State prisoners, 81 percent
of Federal prisoners, and 77 percent of local jail inmates have alcohol and
drug abuse problems, or were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they
committed their offenses. However, only 13 percent of these inmates receive
drug and alcohol treatment while they are incarcerated according to the Office
of National Drug Control Policy.
(13)
Substance abuse treatment has been proven to reduce drug use,
recidivism, unemployment, and homelessness, according to several studies, and
every dollar invested in substance abuse treatment saves taxpayers $7.46 in
other social costs.
(14)
Many offenders are released back into the community without
having a place to call home. Several studies have found that many prisoners
expect to go to homeless shelters upon release.
(15)
A number of barriers exist to offenders getting adequate shelter
upon release. Most offenders do not have enough money at the time of release to
rent an apartment and landlords typically are reluctant to rent to former
offenders. Some ex-offenders are prohibited from living in public housing
because of their criminal records.
(16)
The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that 1,500,000
children in the United States had a parent in a Federal or State prison in
1999. In addition, over 7,000,000 children have a parent under some sort of
correctional supervision.
(17)
Children of incarcerated parents face social stigma because of
their parents’ criminal status. This can cause problems in school, low
self-esteem, aggressive behavior, and other emotional dysfunction.
(18)
The reunification of ex-offenders and their families can cause
family stress. In some cases, the ex-offender is not welcome in the home and
many ex-offenders have difficulty readjusting to family life.
(19)Studies show that
ex-offenders adjust better to family life when their families receive
comprehensive support services. These services can also reduce juvenile
delinquency, antisocial behavior, and recidivism rates.
3.
In this Act, the following
definitions shall apply:
(1)The
term Director
means the Director of the Office of Community
Justice Services of the Department of Justice, as established under section
101.
(2)The term nongovernmental entities
means
any nonprofit organizations, community corrections organizations, faith-based
organizations, social service organizations, behavioral healthcare agencies,
neighborhood or community-based organizations, and other entities that are not
part of a State or local government.
(3)The term proven effectiveness
means
that a program, project, approach, or practice has been shown by a credible
analysis of performance and results to make a significant contribution to the
accomplishment of the objectives for which it is undertaken, or to have a
significant effect in improving the conditions identified with the problem to
which it is addressed.
(4)State or local
corrections agenciesThe term State or local corrections
agencies
means the responsible agencies for the imprisonment or
incarceration of offenders, or community corrections supervision, in any State
of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Indian tribal governments, and
the Northern Mariana Islands, or any political subdivision thereof that
performs corrections functions, including any agency of the Federal Government
that performs corrections functions for the District of Columbia, or any trust
territory of the United States.
(5)State or local
parole or probation agenciesThe term State or local
parole or probation agencies
means the responsible agencies for
determining or supervising early release of reentering offenders or the
supervision of reentering offenders in any State of the United States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, Guam, Indian tribal governments, and the Northern Mariana
Islands, or any political subdivision thereof that performs parole or probation
functions, including any agency of the Federal Government that performs these
functions for the District of Columbia, or any trust territory of the United
States.
<enum>I</enum><header>Office of
community justice services</header>
<section id="id1BB618AC642F4936891FF5C614413BF1"><enum>101.</enum><header>Establishment
of office of community justice services</header>
<subsection id="id4CD8B34661B3454381420EAFC2C24ED8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>There is established within the Department of Justice the
Office of Community Justice Services, which shall be headed by a Director
appointed by the Attorney General from among persons who have experience in
corrections, parole, probation, or related matters, or in providing
transitional services to offenders who are returning to their home
communities.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idF16B64B0552A4F56A4D69C5E161D6DC5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The
Director shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id0376CEBEE40C4BDCB7B9612E2A93C34A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop and
administer programs for grants to State or local corrections agencies, State or
local parole and probation agencies, community corrections agencies, and
nongovernmental entities in accordance with this Act, for the purposes of
preparing incarcerated persons for reentry into the community, or to assist
reentering offenders in their transition back into the community; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEE8A3D8261E540AF83B8D2C92A324560"><enum>(2)</enum><text>make grants to
nongovernmental entities that have experience and expertise in providing such
services.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idEAC8293B8C1D4B1E96F15B9BA6C11D93"><enum>102.</enum><header>National
Offender Reentry Initiative Clearinghouse</header>
<subsection id="id4F244FF10E2540DC90962AEDD112A2A6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grant
authorized</header>
<paragraph id="id4EBE403F0E1B4D1BA02D5F58411E8C46"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Director of the Office of Community Justice Services
may award a grant to an eligible organization to establish a National Offender
Reentry Initiative Clearinghouse.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id061049AB5FB045B1AFAD16737FC226D4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall be for a period not to exceed 5
years.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7CA8E491EF9B4770A4BA1C1C6A2AAA99"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text>The grant awarded under subsection (a) may be used—</text>
<paragraph id="id09DC9C5467FD4CAABC4DE2C618BCBECC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>for education,
training, and technical assistance on offender reentry for States, units of
local government, corrections agencies, parole and probation agencies, and
nongovernmental entities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id40771A35AA384E35AFB6CFA6838B8F9A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to collect data
on best practices from entities receiving a grant under this Act, and from
other agencies and organizations;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id30BEE56F3C564A078DECFDAB81E6D42E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to disseminate
best practices to States, units of local government, corrections agencies,
parole and probation agencies, and nongovernmental entities; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE26AFF12A20B46B2B471092274670020"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to assist State
and units of local government to identify barriers to successful offender
reentry.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5E6A041AFDEC482282235FC48723926C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Application</header><text>Each
eligible organization desiring the grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Director may reasonably require.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id72B1498B4DA1400FB0581ACDE87FB212"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Eligible
organizations</header><text>A national nonprofit organization may apply for the
grant under this section if the organization has experience in providing
technical assistance, training, and research on offender reentry programs for
States, units of local government, corrections agencies, and parole and
probation agencies.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idDA851CBB4B824D508AA6C6AF960C3C54"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to carry out the
provisions of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Grant
programs</header>
<section id="idE630135559FD47FD8637BD781CF78040"><enum>201.</enum><header>Reentry
preparation grants</header>
<subsection id="idE451825399CE49698D15BC578974C161"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Director shall award grants, for a term of not more
than 5 years, to State or local corrections agencies to provide services to
incarcerated persons, in accordance with the requirements of this
section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idC6883763BB784D6389638AE5A779549F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text>Grant funds awarded under subsection (a) may be used
for—</text>
<paragraph id="idF2726971F836426D9E77825A417B4D55"><enum>(1)</enum><text>education
programs, such as high school equivalency degrees, basic literacy training,
civic education, and educational diagnostic services for incarcerated
persons;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE34C3C8772444D6196EE86D2461C7C38"><enum>(2)</enum><text>mental health and
substance abuse assessment and treatment programs, including anger management
programs, for incarcerated persons;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFDCE2F87045C46069E6899254A8CBF58"><enum>(3)</enum><text>job and
vocational skills training for incarcerated persons;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id32C05EEE383247BCA04DD9EC1B37DCAC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>mentoring
programs for incarcerated persons;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2D9E9EF687EE4A1BBFB8D858EDD63013"><enum>(5)</enum><text>programs,
services, and the construction of facilities to promote healthy family bonds,
such as family counseling centers and services, telecommunications services for
incarcerated parents to communicate with their children, and family friendly
visiting areas;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA53F5028A0E9440092077078DC43A093"><enum>(6)</enum><text>information
programs that meet the requirements of subsection (e); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id45115F699ACD41A9B92A589B663005DF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>any other program
or service that is part of a comprehensive offender reentry plan designed to
prepare incarcerated persons for their future return to the
community-at-large.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idC732673F955245A3B1B2DD33E50C262B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Partnership
applications</header><text>Each State or local corrections agency may apply for
a grant in cooperation with, or contract with upon receiving a grant under this
section, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and
nongovernmental entities to develop and provide innovative approaches that will
allow incarcerated persons access to the services described under paragraphs
(1) through (6) of subsection (b).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id3C6C40D8AA844313857DEBDCC0413202"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Priority</header><text>Priority
in the award of grants shall be given to those State or local correctional
agencies that propose partnership applications as described under subsection
(c) to develop innovative strategies, as determined by the Director, to deliver
the services described under paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection
(b).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5B2446DC60F54E209D3FDF0C49B06566"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Information</header><text>Each
State corrections agency, or State parole or probation agency, receiving a
grant under this section shall provide each incarcerated person with written
information, in plain and simple wording, on how that person can
restore—</text>
<paragraph id="id2E23590019DD49DCA48B34B1D41CEB67"><enum>(1)</enum><text>voting rights
within the State in which the person will be released; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id502C5A2D0ABF4592A2E28A29ED2901E3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any other civil
or civic rights or public benefits denied to the incarcerated person under the
law of the State due to their status as an offender.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idD70E19F67AB84803A93673FCFEB07BBE"><enum>202.</enum><header>Transition to
community grants</header>
<subsection id="id06EB860C43DC4DE497379727171F1700"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Director shall award grants, for a term of not more
than 5 years, to consortiums of State or local correctional agencies, and State
or local parole or probation agencies, for the purposes of providing services
to incarcerated persons, who have not more than 1 year remaining of their
sentence, or released offenders, not later than 18 months after being released,
that will facilitate the reentry of such persons into the community, in
accordance with the requirements of this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5FB2B7D490E4465F93F118D3F8BB629E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text>Grants awarded under subsection (a) shall be used
for—</text>
<paragraph id="id106E81E2EE85413AAC2755849062E623"><enum>(1)</enum><text>education
programs, such as high school equivalency degrees, basic literacy training,
civic education, and educational diagnostic services;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4FF36C145E014B8697881FF619F6F326"><enum>(2)</enum><text>mentoring
programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6307B7B1DCA74FA784B20B585232DA45"><enum>(3)</enum><text>life skills
training, including family support services;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDD3E85FD6FFF44E092AA174C8F762295"><enum>(4)</enum><text>mental health and
substance abuse assessment and treatment programs, including aftercare
programs, intensive case management, and anger management programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB475755734D044DDAFB86E5DB5B09C21"><enum>(5)</enum><text>job and
vocational skills training, including paid work experience programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3C77538D19CA466499591297FAF7AE1C"><enum>(6)</enum><text>information
programs that meet the requirements of subsection (e); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id773FB126A8834F94BB4DDB06960E1D42"><enum>(7)</enum><text>such other
services and programs that are part of a comprehensive offender reentry plan
designed to assist incarcerated persons or reentering offenders in reentering
the community.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id23EB973AA1C64317BC251BA260167F5D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Partnership
applications</header><text>Each applicant for a grant under this section may
apply for such grant in cooperation with, or contract with upon receiving a
grant, any nongovernmental entities to develop or provide innovative approaches
to the services described under paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection
(b).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idBEB7C6D86D124557996E1BCDE8C2D178"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Priority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Priority in the award of grants shall be
given to those State or local correctional agencies, or State or local parole
or probation agencies that propose partnership applications as described under
subsection (c) to develop innovative strategies, as determined by the Director,
to deliver the services described under paragraphs (1) through (5) of
subsection (b).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id09D26865DC724149B37F477F2C16D059"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Information</header><text>Each
recipient of a grant under this section shall provide each incarcerated person
or reentering offender with written information, in plain and simple wording,
on how that person can restore—</text>
<paragraph id="id2AB0CDD7D39444839A2E0AC8D1C94E6E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>voting rights
within the State in which the person will be released; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFAD85D555EE247489DA1DFF79E0114A4" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any other civil or civic
rights or public benefits denied to the incarcerated person under the law of
the State due to their status as an offender.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB108BD25DAC540F098FC527F02A0D6C1" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>203.</enum><header>Community-based
supervision and support grants</header>
<subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2CE3F377AB9B4CB3AA612818AB328EA2" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Director shall award grants, for a term of not more
than 5 years, to State or local parole and probation agencies to provide
reentering offenders with services to help such reentering offenders with their
transition into the community.</text>
</subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1188F50A2B744357879F4C57C37035B5" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text>Grant funds awarded under this section may be used
for—</text>
<paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id811069E5D26443BBB72040602502F737" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the development or support
of parole and probation programs designed to increase coordination between
parole officers and social service providers;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id216E049A765846AF8B7B82026403F993" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the establishment of
parole and probation offices located within areas in which a substantial number
of incarcerated persons shall live;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id647B1B54DAA1450588C66AEC7993AD37" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the development of joint
parole, probation, and local law enforcement monitoring programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id312F944152164E3EBC6772F3C858DEE0" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the provision of
comprehensive family case management services to assist families of reentering
offenders;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id869BA06189094B5D9CDE6F2953C671CC" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the funding of research
and analysis designed to allow State parole and probation agencies to identify
and determine which locations and neighborhoods see the largest number of
reentering offenders establishing residency;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD76659838DE34319971ACCDE976D34E0" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the development of programs that encourage
collaboration between parole and probation agencies, and job training programs
that serve people with criminal records, including transitional jobs
programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBF2EE1BA9921441E8305CF8F391F25D2" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the development of
geographic-based caseload management systems by State parole and probation
agencies for monitoring reentering offenders;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEB206F73F2FB440DA8A14D80F5482333"><enum>(8)</enum><text>information
programs that meet the requirements of subsection (f); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id82F0E536337A4EA99F5C247BD2F2B5B9" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(9)</enum><text>services and programs that
have proven effectiveness in helping reentering offenders transition back into
life in the community, including transitional housing and mental health and
substance abuse treatment services offered as part of a comprehensive offender
reentry plan.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAA5CA2ADA5464B50ACC78743CA7C414E" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Partnership
Applications</header><text>A State or local parole or probation agency applying
for a grant under this section may, in order to carry out the purposes of this
section, contract or partner with—</text>
<paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id687AA27B68A44008AEF9353E6B590EED" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>nongovernmental entities
with expertise in services that can assist reentering offenders in relocating
into a community and their families; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEC1C8EF9AE5B4D6183EF74EE76F6D691" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>State and local government
agencies that administer programs or provide services to released offenders,
such as child welfare, workforce development agencies, and community
corrections agencies.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id172461120E41400D95F3AF3CE85161F2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Priority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Priority in the award of grants shall be
given to those State or local parole or probation agencies that propose
partnership applications as described under subsection (c) to develop
innovative strategies, as determined by the Director, to deliver the services
described under paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b).</text>
</subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1AF81E8AD1CD4DAB83CAC569EFB1E158" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>To
receive a grant under this section, each State parole and probation agency
shall demonstrate coordination with Federal or State corrections officials in
determining where reentering offenders shall be released.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id0467B2419D7C48C49035CF429168C810"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Information</header><text>Each
recipient of a grant under this section shall provide each reentering offender
with written information, in plain and simple wording, on how that person can
restore—</text>
<paragraph id="id0CDF2BCF688B40B99A03F7D4F59A1639"><enum>(1)</enum><text>voting rights
within the State in which the person is being released; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD25442DBD389474896506B0394C7AE73" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any other civil or civic
rights or public benefits denied to the reentering offender under the law of
the State due to their status as an offender.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7C5B6DAE597F424E8D79305CD8626696" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>204.</enum><header>Administrative
provisions</header>
<subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD507561667CF4378B4FCFD42473F5055" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Apportionment of grant
funding</header><text>Of the amounts appropriated to carry out the purposes of
this Act—</text>
<paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDE82541BB0D64E49877B0BBC043AB294" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not less than 70 percent
shall be made available to carry out the purposes of sections 201, 202, and
203; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id10D9FCC3386D457C89EAC141A5B36888" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>up to 30 percent shall be
made available to carry out the purposes of subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4FCBA05CBC0647DA99305ACED0E03EA0" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Matching Funds</header>
<paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id07F04ED7DB294CE29F50446C24EE517E" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Federal share of any program, project, or activity
funded by a grant made under section 201, 202, or 203 shall not exceed 75
percent of the total cost of such program, project, or activity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEFF7E5A3610D4416AC66D6997A1B2552" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Waiver</header><text>The
Attorney General may, in the sole discretion of the Attorney General, waive the
requirements of paragraph (1) in whole or in part.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57A2CA49777E49739C7265AECA6BAAF8" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Discretionary
grants</header>
<paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7F4DF796D67A4EE98FCE4433B41A5582" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Director shall award grants, for a term of not more
than 5 years, on a competitive basis, to State or local correctional agencies,
State or local parole or probation agencies, and nongovernmental entities for
community protection programs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA54FFA84E65543AB99BECC2F74552D89" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text>Grant funds awarded under paragraph (1) shall be used
to—</text>
<subparagraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id12A1F275850745759B53B1CBAAFBE4FD" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>fund multiyear
demonstration programs designed to reduce recidivism and parole violations, and
the recipients of a grant may contract with organizations to conduct any
necessary research with respect to the program; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id29CDFE9D7A9C43199C3B0645CBE4EC93" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>allow State task forces to
conduct an analysis of existing State statutory, regulatory, and practice-based
hurdles to the reintegration of a prisoner into the community that—</text>
<clause changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEBF669EB56D1440DB620A859BFCECD2B" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>takes particular note of
laws, regulations, rules, and practices that disqualify people with criminal
records from obtaining drivers licenses, professional licenses, or other
requirements necessary for certain types of employment, and that hinder full
civic participation; and</text>
</clause><clause changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA6B2811B7FA54F3CADBB119814466D77" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>identifies and recommends
for repeal or modification those laws, regulations, rules, or practices that do
not demonstrate a rational connection between the existing statutory or
regulatory prohibition, the type of conviction, and the risk that the
individual may pose to the community.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15757DE02A1647E0B21AA7EFEC74E7F8" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Application</header><text>Any
State or local correctional agency or State or local parole or probation agency
wishing to receive a grant under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Director an
application setting forth a description of the planned demonstration program.
The Director shall establish guidelines for assessing such applications.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC8ACC954C988417A810977451A29C4F7" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Submission of
information</header><text>Prior to the distribution of grant funds under
section 201, 202, or 203, each State shall submit to the Director a description
of the activities to be carried out using such grant funds.</text>
</subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id62BF9A3725BA418E98CB73DEDB27B98E" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Nonsupplanting
requirement</header><text>Funds made available under this title shall not be
used to supplant State or local funds, but shall be used to increase the amount
of funds that would, in the absence of Federal funds received under this title,
be made available from State or local sources.</text>
</subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id66CDC94923EC4DC4BC915B8E237F3A89" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Performance
evaluations</header><text>Selected grant recipients shall be evaluated pursuant
to guidelines established by the Director.</text>
</subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4BC6E94BA58F42298523E4056313F310" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Revocation or suspension
of funding</header><text>If the Director determines that a grant recipient
under this title is not in substantial compliance with the terms and
requirements of an approved grant application submitted under this title, the
Director may revoke or suspend funding of that grant, in whole or in
part.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Civic education
for reentering federal prisoners</header>
<section changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4C0DE37F54CF4531ACC78FA2172FFD59" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>301.</enum><header>Civic education for
reentering federal prisoners</header>
<subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC824A6F0F1564F92BCBF503770A0A8E0" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Bureau of Prisons of the Department of Justice shall provide each
reentering offender released from Federal prisons information on how the
reentering offender can restore voting rights, and other civil or civic rights,
denied to the reentering offender based upon their offender status in the State
to which that reentering offender shall be returning.</text>
</subsection><subsection changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id51FBD2182F964434916B641CF1229A4F" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>The
information required under subsection (a) shall be provided to each reentering
offender in writing, and in a language that the reentering offender can
understand.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Grants for
research, training, and technical assistance</header>
<section changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id97F60DFA3A8A4E5C94A9C9B6E2E0DAD3" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>401.</enum><header>Grants for research,
training, and technical assistance</header>
<text display-inline="no-display-inline">Up to 5 percent of the funds
made available under this Act may be used for research, technical assistance,
and training carried out or commissioned by the Attorney General in furtherance
of the purposes of this Act.</text>
</section><enum>V</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header>
<section changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5BCB78BD0459471E9E47804B06499F68" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>501.</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header>
<text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the purposes of titles II and III of this Act—</text>
<paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5349ABE5B21A4A3E91903067BC95838C" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$75,000,000 for fiscal
year 2005;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF7D0F79271D64DBDAC0116423A3C54D1" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$150,000,000 for fiscal
year 2006;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id08CDF0FC7FFB4464ABC94D1AF0D00283" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$325,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id761949966783418EA8C551FD6A1C1BD4" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$450,000,000 for fiscal
year 2008; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="not-changed" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1C7B35B46BBE4919A825472DF5BEC73C" reporting-committee-number="1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>$500,000,000 for fiscal
year 2009.</text>
</paragraph></section>