Sponsors (8)
The bill increases guidance, oversight, and processes aimed at helping returning citizens obtain TWIC credentials and access port jobs (supporting reentry and reducing recidivism), but it does not eliminate underlying eligibility exclusions, leaves procedural delays and response gaps that can block access, and imposes modest additional administrative costs.
Formerly incarcerated people and other returning citizens will get clearer guidance, assistance to pre-apply and appeal TWIC ineligibility, improving their chances of obtaining maritime credentials and accessing port jobs (which can speed reentry and reduce recidivism).
The bill encourages earlier processing/pre-application steps that can shorten the time from release to employment for people seeking TWIC-covered jobs, helping them start work sooner.
Congressional oversight and clearer program scope (including a required briefing within a year) will increase transparency about TWIC access and help inform targeted policy reforms at federal, state, and local levels.
People with certain convictions, immigrants, and other applicants may remain ineligible or effectively blocked from TWIC by existing security-based eligibility rules; guidance alone is unlikely to remove these substantive barriers.
Individuals still in custody cannot apply for TWIC until after release, which can delay credentialing and timely reentry into the workforce unless specific pre-release application procedures are implemented.
TWIC appeal and waiver processes can take up to 90 days, creating the risk that applicants (including newly released individuals) will face multi-week delays before starting jobs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
TSA must issue guidance within one year to help people in custody pre-apply for TWIC credentials and pursue appeals or waivers of preliminary ineligibility.
Official title: To require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States to develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, and to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 3, 2025 by Troy Carter · Last progress September 3, 2025
Requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to create and deliver guidelines to make it easier for people leaving prison or jail to apply for and obtain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs). The guidelines must include steps to help incarcerated individuals pre-apply or prepare applications and to help those pursuing appeals or waivers of preliminary ineligibility, and must be delivered within one year of enactment along with a congressional briefing on progress.