[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6472 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 6472

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to codify a grant 
   program to promote and assist in the reentry of justice-involved 
                    individuals into the workforce.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 21, 2023

Mr. Smucker (for himself and Mr. Owens) introduced the following bill; 
   which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to codify a grant 
   program to promote and assist in the reentry of justice-involved 
                    individuals into the workforce.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Workforce Reentry Act''.

SEC. 2. JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS REENTRY PROGRAM START-UP GRANTS.

    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:

``SEC. 172. JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS REENTRY PROGRAM START-UP 
              GRANTS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to--
            ``(1) prompt innovation and improvement in the reentry of 
        justice-involved individuals 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 justice-involved individuals for 
        sustained participation in the workforce.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--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.
            ``(2) Eligible participant.--
                    ``(A) In general.--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).
            ``(3) Evidence-based.--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 justice-involved individuals; 
                and
                    ``(D) has been scientifically tested and proven 
                effective through randomized control studies or 
                comparison group studies.
            ``(4) Promising.--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 justice-involved individuals from one or 
                more objective, independent, and scientifically valid 
                evaluation; and
                    ``(B) includes ongoing efforts to examine the 
                effects of such program or practice.
    ``(c) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the activities under 
        this section, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) 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 to carry out projects to facilitate 
                the reentry of justice-involved individuals into the 
                workforce (which may include the activities described 
                in subsection (f)(1)), and which--
                            ``(i) 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; and
                    ``(B) 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.
            ``(2) Priority.--In awarding contracts or grants under this 
        section, 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.
            ``(3) Additional contracts or grants.--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.
    ``(d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a contract or grant 
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to 
the Secretary, which shall include each of the following:
            ``(1) 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.
            ``(2) A description of evidence-based or promising 
        practices the eligible entity will use in the administration of 
        the program.
            ``(3) 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).
            ``(5) 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.
            ``(6) In the case of a grant, an assurance that the 
        eligible entity will meet the matching requirement described in 
        subsection (e).
            ``(7) 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.
            ``(8) 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.
    ``(e) Matching Requirement for Grants.--In order to receive a grant 
from the Secretary under this section, 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.
    ``(f) Use of Funds for Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--A grant awarded under this section may 
        be used to--
                    ``(A) 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;
                    ``(B) mentor eligible participants, including the 
                provision of support, guidance, and assistance in the 
                community and the workplace to address the challenges 
                faced by justice-involved individuals;
                    ``(C) 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;
                    ``(D) 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.
            ``(2) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) Certain services excluded.--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.
                    ``(B) Administrative cost limit.--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).
                    ``(C) Limit on amount paid as stipends to 
                participants.--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.
                    ``(D) Limit on funds for emergency situations.--A 
                grantee may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to 
                assist eligible participants in an emergency situation.
    ``(g) Performance Outcomes and Accountability.--
            ``(1) Indicators of performance.--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.
            ``(2) Independent evaluation.--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.
            ``(3) Report.--The Secretary shall, on an annual basis--
                    ``(A) submit to the Committee on Education and the 
                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.
            ``(4) Disseminating best practices.--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 
        justice-involved individuals and reducing recidivism.
    ``(h) Administrative Activities.--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.
    ``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to authorize any new appropriations to carry out the purpose 
of this section.''.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZED FUNDS.

    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''.
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