I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4937 
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to make permanent 
a grant program to promote and assist in the reentry of justice-involved 
individuals into the workforce. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 31, 2019 
Mr. SMUCKER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Labor 
A BILL 
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
to make permanent 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 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’’. 
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SEC. 2. JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS REENTRY PRO-
GRAM 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 PRO-
GRAM 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 work-
force 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 work-
force. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) APPRENTICESHIP
OPPORTUNITIES.—The 
term ‘apprenticeship opportunities’ includes reg-
istered apprenticeship, industry-recognized appren-
ticeship, and preapprenticeship programs. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means— 
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‘‘(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 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 par-
ticipant’ means an individual— 
‘‘(i) who has been convicted as a juve-
nile or an adult and imprisoned under 
Federal or State law; or 
‘‘(ii) who has not been released from 
prison or jail for more than 2 years 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 subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(4) EVIDENCE-BASED.—The term ‘evidence- 
based’ means a program or practice that— 
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‘‘(A) is demonstrated effective when imple-
mented with fidelity; 
‘‘(B) is based on a clearly articulated and 
empirically supported theory; 
‘‘(C) has measurable outcomes relevant to 
workforce outcomes for reentering justice-in-
volved individuals; 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 en-
gagement for reentering justice-involved individ-
uals 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 activi-
ties 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 
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entities to provide job training, job placement serv-
ices, and mentoring. 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants, the Sec-
retary 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 em-
ployer to employ an individual upon successful 
completion of the training. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL GRANTS.—The Secretary may 
award, for not longer than a period of 5 years, one 
or more additional grants to an eligible entity that 
received a grant under this section if the eligible en-
tity— 
‘‘(A) demonstrates success in helping eligi-
ble participants reenter the workforce according 
to the performance indicators under subsection 
(g)(1); and 
‘‘(B) provides an assurance that the entity 
will provide a non-Federal contribution, includ-
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ing cash and in-kind donations, in an amount 
not less than 100 percent of the total funds 
awarded under the additional grant. 
‘‘(d) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an appli-
cation to the Secretary, which shall include 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 
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) 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 
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ensure the maximum number of eligible individuals 
will have the opportunity to participate in the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(5) An assurance that the eligible entity will 
provide a 50-percent match, as described in sub-
section (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 sub-
stance abuse treatment services, mental health treat-
ment services, housing services, and transportation 
services. 
‘‘(7) An assurance that the eligible entity will 
provide the data necessary for the indicators of per-
formance in subsection (g). 
‘‘(8) A plan to continue the program with non- 
Federal funds after the 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 
25 percent of the total funds awarded. 
‘‘(f) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—A grant awarded under 
this section may be used to— 
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‘‘(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 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 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 
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 re-
spect to eligible participants who will be re-
leased from prison or jail within 90 days. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) CERTAIN
SERVICES
EXCLUDED.— 
Funds 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 10 percent of 
the funds received under a grant for adminis-
trative costs, including for the purpose of col-
lecting information 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 under this section shall 
report each year to the Secretary on the following 
indicators of performance described in section 
116(b)(2)(A): 
‘‘(A) The percentage of program partici-
pants who are in unsubsidized employment dur-
ing the second quarter after exit from the pro-
gram, as described in clause (i)(I) of such sec-
tion or, in case of program participants who are 
youth, the percentage of program participants 
who are in education or training activities, or in 
unsubsidized employment during the second 
quarter after exit from the program, as de-
scribed in clause (ii)(I) of such section. 
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‘‘(B) The percentage of program partici-
pants who are in unsubsidized employment dur-
ing the fourth quarter after exit from the pro-
gram, as described in clause (i)(II) of such sec-
tion or, in case of program participants who are 
youth, the percentage of program participants 
who are in education or training activities, or in 
unsubsidized employment during the fourth 
quarter after exit from the program, as de-
scribed in clause (ii)(II) of such section. 
‘‘(C) The median earnings of program par-
ticipants who are in unsubsidized employment 
during the second quarter after exit from the 
program, as described in clause (i)(III) of such 
section. 
‘‘(D) The percentage of program partici-
pants 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, as 
described in clause (i)(IV) of such section. 
‘‘(E) The percentage of program partici-
pants who, during a program year, are in an 
education or training program that leads to a 
recognized postsecondary credential or employ-
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ment and who are achieving measurable skill 
gains toward such a credential or employment, 
as described in clause (i)(V) of such section. 
‘‘(F) The indicators of effectiveness in 
serving employers established pursuant to 
clause (iv) of such section, as described in 
clause (i)(VI) of such section. 
‘‘(2) INDEPENDENT
EVALUATION.—Not later 
than five years after the date of enactment of this 
section and from amounts made available under sec-
tion 173(d), the Secretary shall provide for and re-
port 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 re-
cidivism 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— 
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‘‘(A) the number of individuals who par-
ticipated in programs assisted under this sec-
tion; 
‘‘(B) the percentage of individuals partici-
pating in a program assisted under this section 
that successfully completed the program; and 
‘‘(C) the performance of grantees as meas-
ured 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 infor-
mation to State and local government, local work-
force development boards, and relevant stakeholders 
regarding best practices in providing workforce de-
velopment opportunities for justice-involved individ-
uals 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 grantees and partnering businesses regarding 
the availability of applicable tax credits including the 
Work Opportunity Tax Credit. 
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‘‘(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 
by striking ‘‘section 169’’ and inserting ‘‘sections 169 and 
172’’. 
Æ 
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