Workforce Reentry Act
Sponsored By: Representative Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]
Introduced
Summary
A federal pay-for-performance reentry grant program would fund and test ways to help people released from prison gain skills, jobs, and stable reintegration. It prioritizes measurable results, employer partnerships, and spreading what works.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New job help for people leaving prison
If enacted, this would create start-up grants to help people with past convictions get skills and jobs. You would generally qualify if you were convicted, imprisoned, and released within the last 2 years. Up to 10% of participants could be outside that 2-year window. Nonprofits, faith-based groups, employers, colleges, tribal entities, and local governments could run programs that use proven or promising approaches.
Pay-for-results reentry training and jobs
If enacted, at least 30% of funds would go to pay-for-results contracts, with the rest as competitive grants. Awards could run up to 4 years and focus on training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, mentoring, job placement, and outreach in prisons, including help for people within 90 days of release. Grants could not directly pay for substance abuse, mental health, or housing, but could fund coordination to connect people to those services. Grantee spending would be capped: up to 5% on administration, up to 15% for participant stipends, and up to 5% for emergency help.
Grant bids need partners and matching funds
If enacted, applicants would need a full program plan, show evidence-based or promising practices, set performance targets, and agree to share data. The Secretary would favor bids that partner with employers and schools to earn in-demand credentials or that offer on-the-job/customized training with a hiring commitment. Grants would require a non-federal match: at least 25% for the first award period and at least 50% for later periods. Matches could be cash or in-kind support. Applicants would also need to coordinate with the local workforce system and plan for services like housing or treatment through other programs.
Existing funds, audits, and tax-credit outreach
If enacted, grantees would report yearly on core job outcomes and a recidivism measure. The Department of Labor would deliver an independent evaluation to Congress within 5 years and publish annual results online, then share best practices. Funds would come from existing WIOA sources; this section would not authorize new money. The Secretary could use up to 2% of annual funds to run the program and help grantees and employers, including outreach about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for hiring eligible workers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]
PA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
UT • R
Sponsored 2/26/2025
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 12/10/2025
Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]
WV • R
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov