Workforce Reentry Act

This measure creates a national program to help people leaving prison or jail find and keep jobs. The Labor Department would fund local programs that offer skills training, on‑the‑job training, apprenticeships, job placement, and mentoring, including some services that can start up to 90 days before release. At least 30% of the money must go to contracts that pay organizations based on results, for up to four years; the rest would be competitive grants, also up to four years .

Programs must work with the local workforce system and employers. Priority goes to programs tied to in‑demand jobs or those with employers who commit to hire graduates. Grant funds cannot directly pay for substance use, mental health, or housing services, but programs can coordinate with other providers for those needs. Administrative costs, participant stipends, and emergency aid have set caps. Grantees must also put in matching funds (25% at first, 50% if renewed) . Results must be tracked and reported each year, including job outcomes and recidivism, with an independent review due within five years and public reports to share what works. It does not create new funding streams.

• Who is affected: People leaving prison or jail; local organizations running reentry and job programs; employers and schools that partner on training and hiring .
• What changes: New grants and pay‑for‑performance contracts for reentry job programs; clear limits on what grant money can cover; match requirements; stronger tracking and public reporting of results .
• When: Contracts and grants can run up to four years; an independent evaluation is due within five years; annual public reports are required .