,i #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #afcc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #bf1 #bjbe,mr4 ,smucker 7for himself and ,mr4 ,owens7 introduced the following bill2 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 workforce4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,workforce ,reentry ,act4 #b4 ex-offenders ,reentry ,program ,start-up ,grants ,subtitle ,d of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #agb as section #agc2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #aga the following new section3 #agb4 ex-offenders ,reentry ,program ,start-up ,grants 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to-- 7#a7 prompt innovation and improvement in the reentry of ex-offenders into the workforce so that successful initiatives can be continued and replicated2 and 7#b7 allow for the dissemination of information regarding best practices in preparing ex-offenders for sustained participation in the workforce4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a private nonprofit organization under section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 including a faith-based organization2 7,b7 a local board2 7,c7 a ,state or local government2 7,d7 an ,indian or ,native ,american entity eligible for grants under section #aff2 7,e7 an employer or group of employers2 7,f7 an institution of higher education2 7,g7 an industry or sector partnership2 or 7,h7 a trade or professional association4 7#b7 ,eligible participant 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible participant means an individual-- 7i7 who has been convicted as a juvenile or an adult and imprisoned under ,federal or ,state law2 and 7ii7 who has not been released from prison or jail for more than #b years before the date on which the individual begins participation in an activity funded under this section4 7,b7 ,exception ,up to #aj percent of all participants may be individuals who do not meet the requirements of clause 7ii7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,evidence-based ,the term evidence-based means a program or practice that-- 7,a7 is demonstrated effective when implemented with fidelity2 7,b7 is based on a clearly articulated and empirically supported theory2 7,c7 has measurable outcomes relevant to workforce outcomes for reentering ex-offenders2 and 7,d7 has been scientifically tested and proven effective through randomized control studies or comparison group studies4 7#d7 ,promising ,the term promising refers to a program or practice that-- 7,a7 is demonstrated to be effective based on positive outcomes relevant to workforce engagement for reentering ex-offenders from one or more objective1 independent1 and scientifically valid evaluation2 and 7,b7 includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such program or practice4 7c7 ,program authorized 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the activities under this section1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 use not less than #cj percent of the funds made available to carry out this section under section #agc7;d71 to implement pay-for-performance contracts for a contract period of not more than #d years with eligible entities to carry out projects to facilitate the reentry of ex-offenders into the workforce 7which may include the activities described in subsection 7f77#a771 and which-- 7i7 specify a fixed amount that the ,secretary will pay to the entity based on the achievement of specified levels of performance on each indicator of performance described in subsection 7g77#a7 within a defined timetable2 and 7ii7 may provide for bonus payments from the ,secretary to such entity to expand capacity to provide effective services2 and 7,b7 using any funds remaining to carry out this section under section #agc7;d71 award grants1 on a competitive basis1 award grants for a period of not more than #d years to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide skills development opportunities1 job placement services1 and mentoring to eligible participants4 7#b7 ,priority ,in awarding contracts or grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that-- 7,a7 establish partnerships with business1 educational institutions1 or eligible providers identified by the ,state under section #abb to provide a program of study leading to postsecondary credentials in in-demand occupations2 or 7,b7 provide on-the-job training or customized training that is designed to meet the specific requirements of an employer 7including a group of employers7 and is conducted with a commitment by the employer to employ an individual upon successful completion of the program4 7#c7 ,additional contracts or grants ,the ,secretary may award1 for not longer than a period of #d years1 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 7d77#d7 during the preceding grant or contract period4 7d7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a contract or grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 which shall include each of the following3 7#a7 ,a detailed description of the program including the core services they will provide1 how the eligible entity will recruit and select eligible participants for the program1 how many participants they plan on serving each year1 and the length of participation in the program4 7#b7 ,a description of evidence-based or promising practices the eligible entity will use in the administration of the program4 7#c7 ,a description of partnerships with local businesses to provide apprenticeship opportunities1 work-based learning1 and job placement and recruitment 7if applicable74 7#d7 ,the expected levels of performance the eligible entity will achieve on the indicators of performance described in subsection 7g77#a74 7#e7 ,an assurance that the eligible entity will coordinate activities with workforce development programs and other services provided under this title1 including utilizing the one-stop delivery system of the local workforce development areas to provide appropriate services and recruit eligible individuals to ensure the maximum number of eligible individuals will have the opportunity to participate in the program4 7#f7 ,in the case of a grant1 an assurance that the eligible entity will meet the matching requirement described in subsection 7e74 7#g7 ,a plan to coordinate with other programs and entities1 including those that may be provided by such other programs and entities1 to provide substance abuse treatment services1 mental health treatment services1 housing services1 and transportation services4 7#h7 ,an assurance that the eligible entity will provide the data necessary for the indicators of performance in subsection 7g74 7#i7 ,a plan to continue the program with non-,federal funds after the grant or contract period4 7e7 ,matching requirement for grants ,in order to receive a grant from the ,secretary under this section1 each eligible entity shall provide a non-,federal contribution1 including cash and in-kind donations1 in the following amounts3 7#a7 ,with respect to the award period of the first grant awarded to such eligible entity under this section1 in an amount that is not less than #be percent of the total grant amount awarded to the eligible entity during such period4 7#b7 ,with respect to any additional award periods1 in an amount not less than #ej percent of the total grant amount awarded to the eligible entity during such additional period4 7f7 ,use of funds for grants 7#a7 ,in general ,a grant awarded under this section may be used to-- 7,a7 provide workforce development and job placement services to eligible participants1 including occupational skills education1 on-the-job training1 apprenticeship opportunities1 work experience1 job referrals1 basic skills remediation1 educational services1 work readiness activities1 and post-placement support1 in coordination with the one-stop partners and one-stop operators that provide services at any center operated under a one-stop deliver system established under section #aba2 7,b7 mentor eligible participants1 including the provision of support1 guidance1 and assistance in the community and the workplace to address the challenges faced by ex-offenders2 7,c7 provide outreach to ,state or ,federal correctional facilities to increase awareness1 identify and recruit eligible participants1 provide screening and assessment of eligible participants and align educational offerings with existing services available to individuals who are presently incarcerated2 7,d7 coordinate with employers to develop on-the-job training or customized training programs and agreements around the hiring of eligible participants2 or 7,e7 carrying out the activities described in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7 with respect to eligible participants who will be released from prison or jail within #ij days4 7#b7 ,limitations 7,a7 ,certain services excluded ,grants provided under this section may not be used to provide substance abuse treatment services1 mental health treatment services1 or housing services1 except that such a grant may be used to coordinate with other programs and entities to provide substance abuse treatment services1 mental health treatment services1 or housing services to eligible participants4 7,b7 ,administrative cost limit ,a grantee may not use more than #e percent of the funds received under a grant for administrative costs1 including for the purpose of collecting information for purposes of subsection 7g77#a74 7,c7 ,limit on amount paid as stipends to participants ,a grantee may not use more than #ae percent of the funds received under such grant to provide stipends to program participants while completing an educational or skill development program4 7,d7 ,limit on funds for emergency situations ,a grantee may not use more than #e percent of the funds to assist eligible participants in an emergency situation4 7g7 ,performance outcomes and accountability 7#a7 ,indicators of performance ,each eligible 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 #aaf7;b77#b77;,a77ii7 and an indicator established by the ,secretary with respect to participant recidivism4 7#b7 ,independent evaluation ,not later than #e years after the date of enactment of this section and from amounts made available under section #agc7;d7 for this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on an independent evaluation of each grant and contract entered into under this section1 including an assessment of the effectiveness of each such grant and contract in reducing recidivism and assisting eligible participants in-- 7,a7 earning credentials2 7,b7 finding and maintaining employment2 and 7,c7 increasing their earnings4 7#c7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall1 on an annual basis-- 7,a7 submit to the ,committee on ,education and ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,health1 ,employment1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 a report1 with respect to the preceding fiscal year1 on-- 7i7 the number of individuals who participated in programs assisted under this section2 7ii7 the percentage of individuals participating in a program assisted under this section that successfully completed the program2 and 7iii7 the performance of eligible entities as measured by the performance indicators set forth in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 publish such report on a publicly available website of the ,department of ,labor4 7#d7 ,disseminating best practices ,using the findings of the independent evaluation under paragraph 7#b7 the ,secretary shall disseminate information to ,state and local government1 local boards1 and relevant stakeholders regarding best practices in providing workforce development opportunities for ex-offenders and reducing recidivism4 7h7 ,administrative activities ,the ,secretary may use up to #b percent of the funds annually appropriated to carry out the activities of this section1 including disseminating best practices and providing technical assistance to eligible entities receiving grants or contracts under this section and partnering businesses regarding the availability of the work opportunity credit determined under section #ea7;a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7i7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any new appropriations to carry out the purpose of this section4 4 #c4 ,authorized funds ,section #agc7;d7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7as redesignated by section #b7a77 is amended by striking section #afi and inserting sections #afi and #agb4