Workforce Reentry Act
This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants for a period of not more than five years to eligible entities (private nonprofit organizations, local workforce development boards, state or local governments, or specified Native American entities) to enable such entities to provide job training, job placement services, and mentoring to ex-offenders.
[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7069 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7069
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to make permanent
a grant program to promote and assist in the reentry of ex-offenders
into the workforce.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 16, 2018
Mr. Lewis of Minnesota 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 make permanent
a grant program to promote and assist in the reentry of ex-offenders
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. EX-OFFENDER 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. EX-OFFENDER REENTRY PROGRAM START-UP GRANTS.
``(a) Purpose.--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.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Apprenticeship opportunities.--The term
`apprenticeship opportunities' includes registered
apprenticeship, industry-recognized apprenticeship, and
preapprenticeship programs.
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a private non-profit organization under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
``(B) a local workforce development board;
``(C) a State or local government; or
``(D) an Indian or Native American entity eligible
for grants under section 166.
``(3) Eligible participant.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible participant'
means an individual--
``(i) who is not less than age 18;
``(ii) who has been convicted as an adult
and imprisoned under Federal or State law;
``(iii) whose most recent offense has not
been a violent or sex-based offense; or
``(iv) who has not been released from
prison or jail for more than 180 days before
the date on which the individual begins
participation.
``(B) Exception.--Up to 10 percent of all
participants may be individuals who do not meet the
requirements of clause (iv) of subparagraph (A).
``(4) 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 offenders; and
``(D) has been scientifically tested and proven
effective through randomized control studies or
comparison group studies.
``(5) 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 offenders from 1 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, on a competitive basis,
award grants for a period of not more than 5 years to eligible
entities to enable such entities to provide job training, job
placement services, and mentoring.
``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants, the Secretary shall
give priority to eligible entities that--
``(A) establish partnerships with business or
educational institutions to provide a program of study
leading to postsecondary credentials in in-demand
occupations; or
``(B) provide 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 training.
``(3) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant to an
eligible entity under this section for a period no longer than
5 additional years if the eligible entity--
``(A) demonstrates success in helping eligible
participants reenter the workforce according to the
performance indicators under (g)(1); and
``(B) provides an assurance that the entity will
provide a non-Federal contribution, including cash and
in-kind donations, in an amount not less than 100
percent of the total funds awarded in the renewal
grant.
``(d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the
Secretary, which shall include 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) 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.
``(5) An assurance that the eligible entity will provide a
50-percent match, as described in subsection (e).
``(6) 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.
``(7) An assurance that the eligible entity will provide
the data necessary for the indicators of performance in
subsection (g).
``(8) A plan to continue the program with non-Federal funds
after grant period.
``(e) Matching Requirement.--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 an
amount not less than 50 percent of the total funds awarded.
``(f) Use of Funds.--
``(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 ex-offenders;
``(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; or
``(D) coordinate with employers to develop
customized training programs and agreements around the
hiring of eligible participants.
``(2) Limitations.--
``(A) Certain services excluded.--Funds 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 10 percent of the funds received under a
grant for administrative costs.
``(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.
``(g) Performance Outcomes and Accountability.--
``(1) Indicators of performance.--Each eligible entity
receiving a grant under this section shall report each year to
the Secretary of Labor on the following indicators of
performance:
``(A) The percentage of program participants who
are in unsubsidized employment during the second
quarter after exit from the program.
``(B) The percentage of program participants who
are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth
quarter after exit from the program.
``(C) The median earnings of program participants
who are in unsubsidized employment during the second
quarter after exit from the program.
``(D) The percentage of program participants who
obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a
secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent,
during participation in or within one year after exit
from the program.
``(2) Independent evaluation.--Not later than five years
after the date of enactment of this section and from amounts
made available under section 173(d), the Secretary shall
provide for and report to Congress on an independent evaluation
of the grant program established under this section that
includes an assessment of the effectiveness of the grant
program and the effectiveness of individual grantees included
in the evaluation in reducing recidivism and assisting
individuals in--
``(A) earning credentials;
``(B) finding and maintaining employment; and
``(C) increasing their earnings.
``(3) Report.--The Secretary shall release an annual report
on--
``(A) the number of individuals who participated in
programs assisted under this section;
``(B) the percentage of individuals participating
in a program assisted under this section that
successfully completed the program; and
``(C) the performance of grantees as measured by
the performance indicators set forth in paragraph (1).
``(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 workforce development boards, and relevant stakeholders
regarding best practices in providing workforce development
opportunities for ex-offenders 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 grantees and partnering businesses regarding
the availability of applicable tax credits including the Work
Opportunity Tax Credit.
``(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''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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