I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1633 
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to codify a grant 
program to promote and assist in the reentry of ex-offenders into the 
workforce. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 
Mr. SMUCKER (for himself and Mr. OWENS) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce 
A BILL 
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
to codify 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 Representa-
tives 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-OFFENDERS 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— 
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(1) by redesignating section 172 as section 173; 
and 
(2) by inserting after section 171 the following 
new section: 
‘‘SEC. 172. EX-OFFENDERS 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 rep-
licated; 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) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means— 
‘‘(A) a private nonprofit organization 
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, including a faith-based organiza-
tion; 
‘‘(B) a local board; 
‘‘(C) a State or local government; 
‘‘(D) an Indian or Native American entity 
eligible for grants under section 166; 
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‘‘(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 par-
ticipant’ means an individual— 
‘‘(i) who has been convicted as a juve-
nile 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 subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(3) EVIDENCE-BASED.—The term ‘evidence- 
based’ means a program or practice that— 
‘‘(A) is demonstrated effective when imple-
mented with fidelity; 
‘‘(B) is based on a clearly articulated and 
empirically supported theory; 
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‘‘(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. 
‘‘(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 en-
gagement for reentering ex-offenders from one 
or more objective, independent, and scientif-
ically 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 activi-
ties 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-per-
formance contracts for a contract period of not 
more than 4 years with eligible entities to carry 
out projects to facilitate the reentry of ex-of-
fenders into the workforce (which may include 
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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 per-
formance on each indicator of performance 
described in subsection (g)(1) within a de-
fined timetable; and 
‘‘(ii) may provide for bonus payments 
from the Secretary to such entity to ex-
pand 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 en-
tities to enable such entities to provide skills de-
velopment 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 
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provide a program of study leading to postsec-
ondary credentials in in-demand occupations; or 
‘‘(B) provide on-the-job training or cus-
tomized 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 indi-
vidual upon successful completion of the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL
CONTRACTS
OR
GRANTS.— 
The Secretary may award, for not longer than a pe-
riod 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 con-
tract 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 in-
cluding the core services they will provide, how the 
eligible entity will recruit and select eligible partici-
pants for the program, how many participants they 
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plan on serving each year, and the length of partici-
pation in the program. 
‘‘(2) A description of evidence-based or prom-
ising practices the eligible entity will use in the ad-
ministration of the program. 
‘‘(3) A description of partnerships with local 
businesses to provide apprenticeship opportunities, 
work-based learning, and job placement and recruit-
ment (if applicable). 
‘‘(4) The expected levels of performance the eli-
gible entity will achieve on the indicators of perform-
ance described in subsection (g)(1). 
‘‘(5) An assurance that the eligible entity will 
coordinate activities with workforce development pro-
grams and other services provided under this title, 
including utilizing the one-stop delivery system of 
the local workforce development areas to provide ap-
propriate services and recruit eligible individuals to 
ensure the maximum number of eligible individuals 
will have the opportunity to participate in the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(6) In the case of a grant, an assurance that 
the eligible entity will meet the matching require-
ment described in subsection (e). 
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‘‘(7) A plan to coordinate with other programs 
and entities, including those that may be provided 
by such other programs and entities, to provide sub-
stance abuse treatment services, mental health treat-
ment services, housing services, and transportation 
services. 
‘‘(8) An assurance that the eligible entity will 
provide the data necessary for the indicators of per-
formance 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 sec-
tion, each eligible entity shall provide a non-Federal con-
tribution, including cash and in-kind donations, in the fol-
lowing 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 per-
cent of the total grant amount awarded to the eligi-
ble entity during such period. 
‘‘(2) With respect to any additional award peri-
ods, in an amount not less than 50 percent of the 
total grant amount awarded to the eligible entity 
during such additional period. 
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‘‘(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 remedi-
ation, educational services, work readiness ac-
tivities, and post-placement support, in coordi-
nation with the one-stop partners and one-stop 
operators that provide services at any center 
operated under a one-stop deliver system estab-
lished under section 121; 
‘‘(B) mentor eligible participants, including 
the provision of support, guidance, and assist-
ance 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 partici-
pants and align educational offerings with exist-
ing services available to individuals who are 
presently incarcerated; 
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‘‘(D) coordinate with employers to develop 
on-the-job training or customized training pro-
grams and agreements around the hiring of eli-
gible participants; or 
‘‘(E) carrying out the activities described 
in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) with re-
spect to eligible participants who will be re-
leased 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 serv-
ices, mental health treatment services, or hous-
ing services, except that such a grant may be 
used to coordinate with other programs and en-
tities 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 in-
formation for purposes of subsection (g)(1). 
‘‘(C) LIMIT ON AMOUNT PAID AS STIPENDS 
TO
PARTICIPANTS.—A grantee may not use 
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more than 15 percent of the funds received 
under such grant to provide stipends to pro-
gram participants while completing an edu-
cational 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
ACCOUNT-
ABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) INDICATORS OF PERFORMANCE.—Each eli-
gible 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 recidi-
vism. 
‘‘(2) INDEPENDENT
EVALUATION.—Not later 
than 5 years after the date of enactment of this sec-
tion 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 sec-
tion, including an assessment of the effectiveness of 
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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 an-
nual basis— 
‘‘(A) submit to the Committee on Edu-
cation and Workforce of the House of Rep-
resentatives, and the Committee on Health, 
Employment, Labor, and Pensions of the Sen-
ate, a report, with respect to the preceding fis-
cal year, on— 
‘‘(i) the number of individuals who 
participated in programs assisted under 
this section; 
‘‘(ii) the percentage of individuals par-
ticipating in a program assisted under this 
section that successfully completed the pro-
gram; and 
‘‘(iii) the performance of eligible enti-
ties as measured by the performance indi-
cators set forth in paragraph (1); and 
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‘‘(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 infor-
mation to State and local government, local 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 appro-
priated to carry out the activities of this section, including 
disseminating best practices and providing technical as-
sistance 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 sec-
tion shall be construed to authorize any new appropria-
tions to carry out the purpose of this section.’’. 
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZED FUNDS. 
Section 173(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Op-
portunity Act (as redesignated by section 2(1)) is amended 
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by striking ‘‘section 169’’ and inserting ‘‘sections 169 and 
172’’. 
Æ 
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