[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 981 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 981

  To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to 
                   operate one-stop reentry centers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 10, 2023

Ms. Kamlager-Dove (for herself and Ms. Brown) introduced the following 
       bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to 
                   operate one-stop reentry centers.

    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 ``One Stop Shop Community Reentry 
Program Act of 2023''.

SEC. 2. COMMUNITY REENTRY CENTER GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Authorized.--The Attorney General is authorized to 
carry out a grant program to make grants to eligible entities for the 
purpose of creating community reentry centers.
    (b) Application Requirements.--Each application for a grant under 
this section shall--
            (1) demonstrate a plan to work with community stakeholders 
        who interact with formerly incarcerated people or individuals 
        with a conviction record and their families to--
                    (A) identify specific strategies and approaches to 
                providing reentry services;
                    (B) develop a needs assessment tool to survey or 
                conduct focus groups with community members in order to 
                identify--
                            (i) the needs of individuals after 
                        conviction or incarceration, and the barriers 
                        such individuals face; and
                            (ii) the needs of the families and 
                        communities to which such individuals belong; 
                        and
                    (C) use the information gathered pursuant to 
                subparagraph (B) to determine the reentry services to 
                be provided by the community reentry center;
            (2) identify the institutions from which individuals who 
        are released from incarceration are likely to reenter the 
        community served by the community reentry center, and develop a 
        plan, if feasible, to provide transportation for such released 
        individuals to the community reentry center, to the 
        individual's residence, or to a location where the individual 
        is ordered by a court to report;
            (3) demonstrate a plan to provide accessible notice of the 
        location of the reentry intake and coordination center and the 
        services that it will provide (either directly or on a referral 
        basis), including, where feasible, within and outside of 
        institutions identified under paragraph (1);
            (4) demonstrate a plan to provide intake and reentry needs 
        assessment that is trauma-informed and gender-responsive after 
        an individual is released from an institution, or, in the case 
        of an individual who is convicted of an offense and not 
        sentenced to a term of imprisonment, after such conviction, and 
        where feasible, before release, to ensure that the individuals 
        served by the center are referred to appropriate reentry 
        services based on the individual's needs immediately upon 
        release from an institution or after conviction, and 
        continuously thereafter as needed;
            (5) demonstrate a plan to provide the reentry services 
        identified in paragraph (1)(C);
            (6) demonstrate a plan to continue to provide services 
        (including through referral) for individuals served by the 
        center who move to a different geographic area to ensure 
        appropriate case management, case planning, and access to 
        continuous or new services, where necessary, and based on 
        consistent reevaluation of needs;
            (7) identify specific methods that the community reentry 
        center will employ to achieve performance objectives among the 
        individuals served by the center, including--
                    (A) increased access to and participation in 
                reentry services;
                    (B) reduction in recidivism rates;
                    (C) increased numbers of individuals obtaining and 
                retaining employment;
                    (D) increased enrollment in and degrees earned from 
                educational programs, including high school or the 
                equivalent thereof, and institutions of higher 
                education, and receipt of professional or occupational 
                licenses;
                    (E) increased enrollment in vocational 
                rehabilitation, technical schools, or vocational 
                training;
                    (F) increased numbers of individuals obtaining and 
                maintaining permanent and stable housing; and
                    (G) increased self-reports of successful community 
                living, including stability of living situation and 
                positive family relationships; and
            (8) to the extent practicable, identify State, local, and 
        private funds available to supplement the funds received under 
        this section.
    (c) Preference.--The Attorney General shall give preference to 
applicants that demonstrate that they seek to employ individuals who 
have been convicted of an offense, or served a term of imprisonment and 
have completed any court-ordered supervision, or that, to the extent 
allowable by law, employ such formerly incarcerated individuals in 
positions of responsibility.
    (d) Evaluation and Report.--
            (1) Evaluation.--The Attorney General shall enter into an 
        agreement with a nonprofit organization with expertise in 
        analyzing data related to reentry services and recidivism to 
        monitor and evaluate each recipient of funds under this 
        section.
            (2) Report.--Not later than one year after the date on 
        which grants are initially made under this section, and 
        annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to 
        Congress a report on the program, which shall include--
                    (A) the number of grants made, the number of 
                eligible entities receiving such grants, and the amount 
                of funding distributed to each eligible entity pursuant 
                to this section;
                    (B) the location of each eligible entity receiving 
                such a grant, and the population served by the 
                community reentry center;
                    (C) the number of persons who have participated in 
                reentry services offered by a community reentry center, 
                disaggregated by type of services, and success rates of 
                participants in each service to the extent possible;
                    (D) the number of persons who have participated in 
                reentry services for which they received a referral 
                from a community reentry center, disaggregated by type 
                of services, and success rates of participants in each 
                service;
                    (E) recidivism rates within the population served 
                by each community reentry center, both before and after 
                receiving a grant under this section;
                    (F) the numbers of individuals obtaining and 
                retaining employment within the population served by 
                each community reentry center, both before and after 
                receiving a grant under this section;
                    (G) the number of individuals obtaining and 
                maintaining housing within the population served by 
                each community reentry center, both before and after 
                receiving a grant under this section;
                    (H) the number of individuals enrolled in an 
                educational program, including high school, or the 
                equivalent thereof, and institutions of higher 
                education, both before and after receiving a grant 
                under this section;
                    (I) the number of individuals enrolled in 
                vocational rehabilitation, technical schools, or 
                vocational training, both before and after receiving a 
                grant under this section;
                    (J) for each eligible entity receiving a grant 
                under this section, the number of individuals employed 
                who have been convicted of an offense, or served a term 
                of imprisonment and have completed any court-ordered 
                supervision, to include the number of formerly 
                incarcerated individuals in positions of 
                responsibility; and
                    (K) other relevant information, which may include 
                recommendations, if any, to improve the effectiveness 
                and efficiency of the grant program under this section, 
                and to address barriers faced by individuals receiving 
                reentry services from community reentry centers.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Community stakeholder.--The term ``community 
        stakeholder''--
                    (A) means an individual who serves the community; 
                and
                    (B) includes--
                            (i) a school official;
                            (ii) a faith leader;
                            (iii) a social service provider;
                            (iv) a leader of a neighborhood 
                        association;
                            (v) a public safety representative;
                            (vi) an employee of an organization that 
                        provides reentry services;
                            (vii) a member of a civic or volunteer 
                        group related to the provision of reentry 
                        services;
                            (viii) a health care professional; and
                            (ix) an employee of a State, local, or 
                        tribal government agency with expertise in the 
                        provision of reentry services.
            (2) Community reentry center.--The term ``community reentry 
        center'' means a center that--
                    (A) offers intake, reentry needs assessments, case 
                management, and case planning for reentry services for 
                individuals after conviction or incarceration;
                    (B) provides the reentry services identified under 
                subsection (b)(1)(C) at a single location; and
                    (C) provides referrals to appropriate service 
                providers based on the assessment of needs of the 
                individuals.
            (3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
        community-based nonprofit organization that--
                    (A) has expertise in the provision of reentry 
                services; and
                    (B) is located in a geographic area that has 
                disproportionately high numbers of residents, when 
                compared to the local community, who--
                            (i) have been arrested;
                            (ii) have been convicted of a criminal 
                        offense; and
                            (iii) return to such geographic area after 
                        incarceration.
            (4) Reentry services.--The term ``reentry services''--
                    (A) means comprehensive and holistic services that 
                improve outcomes for individuals after conviction or 
                incarceration; and
                    (B) includes--
                            (i) seeking and maintaining employment, 
                        including--
                                    (I) assistance with drafting 
                                resumes, establishing emails accounts, 
                                locating job solicitations, submitting 
                                of job applications, and preparing for 
                                interviews; and
                                    (II) securing any licenses, 
                                certifications, government-issued 
                                identifications, or other documentation 
                                necessary to obtain employment;
                            (ii) placement in job placement programs 
                        that partner with private employers;
                            (iii) obtaining free and low-cost job 
                        skills classes, including computer skills, 
                        technical skills, vocational skills, and any 
                        other job-related or other necessary skills;
                            (iv) supporting preparation for 
                        postsecondary education, including academic 
                        counseling, peer mentoring, and community 
                        support;
                            (v) locating and maintaining housing, which 
                        may include housing counseling, assisting with 
                        finding and securing affordable housing 
                        including in areas of opportunity, assisting 
                        with applications for subsidized housing and 
                        housing-related benefits, locating and 
                        identifying temporary shelter when housing 
                        cannot be found immediately, and applying for 
                        home energy and utility assistance programs;
                            (vi) obtaining identification cards, 
                        driver's licenses, replacement Social Security 
                        cards, birth certificates, and citizenship or 
                        immigration documentation;
                            (vii) registering to vote, and applying for 
                        voting rights to be restored, where permitted 
                        by law;
                            (viii) applying for or accessing high 
                        school equivalency classes, vocational 
                        rehabilitation, or technical courses;
                            (ix) applying for loans for and admission 
                        to institutions of higher education;
                            (x) financial counseling planning, 
                        empowerment, or coaching;
                            (xi) legal assistance or referrals for 
                        record sealing or expungement, forfeiture of 
                        property or assets, family law and custody 
                        matters, legal aid services (including other 
                        civil legal aid services), and relevant civil 
                        matters including housing and other issues;
                            (xii) retrieving property or funds retained 
                        by the arresting agency or facility of 
                        incarceration, or retrieving property or funds 
                        obtained while incarcerated;
                            (xiii) transportation, including through 
                        provision of transit fare;
                            (xiv) individual and familial counseling;
                            (xv) problem-solving, in coordination with 
                        counsel where necessary, any difficulties in 
                        compliance with court-ordered supervision 
                        requirements, including restrictions on living 
                        with certain family members, contact with 
                        certain friends, bond requirements, location 
                        and residency restrictions, electronic 
                        monitoring compliance, court-ordered substance 
                        use disorder treatment, and other court-ordered 
                        requirements;
                            (xvi) communication needs, including 
                        providing a mobile phone, mobile phone service 
                        or access, or internet access;
                            (xvii) applying for State or Federal 
                        government benefits, where eligible, and 
                        assisting in locating free or reduced cost food 
                        and sustenance benefits;
                            (xviii) life skills assistance;
                            (xix) mentorship;
                            (xx) medical and mental health services, 
                        and cognitive-behavioral programming;
                            (xxi) substance use disorder treatment;
                            (xxii) reactivation, application for, and 
                        maintenance of professional or other licenses;
                            (xxiii) providing case management services, 
                        in connection with court-ordered terms of 
                        release, or other local publicly supported 
                        social work case management;
                            (xxiv) safety planning with victims of 
                        domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
                        assault, stalking, and human trafficking; and
                            (xxv) applying for State Vocational 
                        Rehabilitation services for individuals with 
                        disabilities that may qualify or conduct an 
                        evaluation to determine whether they may be 
                        eligible or potentially eligible for vocational 
                        rehabilitation services.
            (5) Success rate.--The term ``success rate'' means the rate 
        of recidivism (as measured by a subsequent conviction or return 
        to prison), job placement, permanent housing placement, or 
        completion of certification, trade, or other education program.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry 
        out this section.
            (2) Equitable distribution.--The Attorney General shall 
        ensure that grants awarded under this section are equitably 
        distributed among the geographical regions and between urban 
        and rural populations, including Indian Tribes, consistent with 
        the objective of reducing recidivism.

SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR REENTRY SERVICES ASSISTANCE HOTLINES.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--The Attorney General is authorized to make 
        grants to States, Indian Tribes, and units of local government 
        to operate reentry services assistance hotlines that are toll-
        free and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
            (2) Grant period.--A grant made under paragraph (1) shall 
        be for a period of not more than 5 years.
    (b) Hotline Requirements.--A grant recipient shall ensure, with 
respect to a hotline funded by a grant under subsection (a), that--
            (1) the hotline directs individuals to local reentry 
        services (as such term is defined in section 2(e));
            (2) any personally identifiable information that an 
        individual provides to an agency of the State or Indian Tribe 
        through the hotline is not directly or indirectly disclosed, 
        without the consent of the individual, to any other agency or 
        entity, or person;
            (3) the staff members who operate the hotline are trained 
        to be knowledgeable about--
                    (A) applicable Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
                reentry services; and
                    (B) the unique barriers to successful reentry into 
                the community after a person has been convicted or 
                incarcerated;
            (4) the hotline is accessible to--
                    (A) individuals with limited English proficiency, 
                consistent with applicable law; and
                    (B) individuals with disabilities;
            (5) the hotline has the capability to engage with 
        individuals using text messages.
    (c) Best Practices.--The Attorney General shall issue guidance to 
grant recipients on best practices for implementing the requirements of 
subsection (b).
    (d) Preference.--The Attorney General shall give preference to 
applicants that demonstrate that they seek to employ individuals to 
operate the hotline who have been convicted of an offense, or have 
served a term of imprisonment and have completed any court-ordered 
supervision.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (2) State.--The term ``State'' means--
                    (A) a State;
                    (B) the District of Columbia;
                    (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
                    (D) any other territory or possession of the United 
                States.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to 
carry out this section.
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