H.R. 8548

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8548 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8548

To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to 
operate one-stop reentry centers.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2026

Ms. Kamlager-Dove (for herself, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Velazquez, Ms. Tlaib, 
Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Jackson of 
Illinois, Ms. Simon, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Thanedar, and Ms. Brown) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to 
operate one-stop reentry centers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``One Stop Shop Community Reentry 
Program Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. COMMUNITY REENTRY CENTER GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Program Authorized.--The Attorney General is authorized to 
carry out a grant program to make grants to eligible entities for the 
purpose of creating community reentry centers.
(b) Application Requirements.--Each application for a grant under 
this section shall--
(1) demonstrate a plan to work with community stakeholders 
who interact with formerly incarcerated people or individuals 
with a conviction record and their families to--
(A) identify specific strategies and approaches to 
providing reentry services;
(B) develop a needs assessment tool to survey or 
conduct focus groups with community members in order to 
identify--
(i) the needs of individuals after 
conviction or incarceration, and the barriers 
such individuals face; and
(ii) the needs of the families and 
communities to which such individuals belong; 
and
(C) use the information gathered pursuant to 
subparagraph (B) to determine the reentry services to 
be provided by the community reentry center;
(2) identify the institutions from which individuals who 
are released from incarceration are likely to reenter the 
community served by the community reentry center, and develop a 
plan, if feasible, to provide transportation for such released 
individuals to the community reentry center, to the 
individual's residence, or to a location where the individual 
is ordered by a court to report;
(3) demonstrate a plan to provide accessible notice of the 
location of the reentry intake and coordination center and the 
services that it will provide (either directly or on a referral 
basis), including, where feasible, within and outside of 
institutions identified under paragraph (1);
(4) demonstrate a plan to provide intake and reentry needs 
assessment that is trauma-informed and gender-responsive after 
an individual is released from an institution, or, in the case 
of an individual who is convicted of an offense and not 
sentenced to a term of imprisonment, after such conviction, and 
where feasible, before release, to ensure that the individuals 
served by the center are referred to appropriate reentry 
services based on the individual's needs immediately upon 
release from an institution or after conviction, and 
continuously thereafter as needed;
(5) demonstrate a plan to provide the reentry services 
identified in paragraph (1)(C);
(6) demonstrate a plan to continue to provide services 
(including through referral) for individuals served by the 
center who move to a different geographic area to ensure 
appropriate case management, case planning, and access to 
continuous or new services, where necessary, and based on 
consistent reevaluation of needs;
(7) identify specific methods that the community reentry 
center will employ to achieve performance objectives among the 
individuals served by the center, including--
(A) increased access to and participation in 
reentry services;
(B) reduction in recidivism rates;
(C) increased numbers of individuals obtaining and 
retaining employment;
(D) increased enrollment in and degrees earned from 
educational programs, including high school or the 
equivalent thereof, and institutions of higher 
education, and receipt of professional or occupational 
licenses;
(E) increased enrollment in vocational 
rehabilitation, technical schools, or vocational 
training;
(F) increased numbers of individuals obtaining and 
maintaining permanent and stable housing; and
(G) increased self-reports of successful community 
living, including stability of living situation and 
positive family relationships; and
(8) to the extent practicable, identify State, local, and 
private funds available to supplement the funds received under 
this section.
(c) Preference.--The Attorney General shall give preference to 
applicants that demonstrate that they seek to employ individuals who 
have been convicted of an offense, or served a term of imprisonment and 
have completed any court-ordered supervision, or that, to the extent 
allowable by law, employ such formerly incarcerated individuals in 
positions of responsibility.
(d) Evaluation and Report.--
(1) Evaluation.--The Attorney General shall enter into an 
agreement with a nonprofit organization with expertise in 
analyzing data related to reentry services and recidivism to 
monitor and evaluate each recipient of funds under this 
section.
(2) Report.--Not later than one year after the date on 
which grants are initially made under this section, and 
annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to 
Congress a report on the program, which shall include--
(A) the number of grants made, the number of 
eligible entities receiving such grants, and the amount 
of funding distributed to each eligible entity pursuant 
to this section;
(B) the location of each eligible entity receiving 
such a grant, and the population served by the 
community reentry center;
(C) the number of persons who have participated in 
reentry services offered by a community reentry center, 
disaggregated by type of services, and success rates of 
participants in each service to the extent possible;
(D) the number of persons who have participated in 
reentry services for which they received a referral 
from a community reentry center, disaggregated by type 
of services, and success rates of participants in each 
service;
(E) recidivism rates within the population served 
by each community reentry center, both before and after 
receiving a grant under this section;
(F) the numbers of individuals obtaining and 
retaining employment within the population served by 
each community reentry center, both before and after 
receiving a grant under this section;
(G) the number of individuals obtaining and 
maintaining housing within the population served by 
each community reentry center, both before and after 
receiving a grant under this section;
(H) the number of individuals enrolled in an 
educational program, including high school, or the 
equivalent thereof, and institutions of higher 
education, both before and after receiving a grant 
under this section;
(I) the number of individuals enrolled in 
vocational rehabilitation, technical schools, or 
vocational training, both before and after receiving a 
grant under this section;
(J) for each eligible entity receiving a grant 
under this section, the number of individuals employed 
who have been convicted of an offense, or served a term 
of imprisonment and have completed any court-ordered 
supervision, to include the number of formerly 
incarcerated individuals in positions of 
responsibility; and
(K) other relevant information, which may include 
recommendations, if any, to improve the effectiveness 
and efficiency of the grant program under this section, 
and to address barriers faced by individuals receiving 
reentry services from community reentry centers.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Community stakeholder.--The term ``community 
stakeholder''--
(A) means an individual who serves the community; 
and
(B) includes--
(i) a school official;
(ii) a faith leader;
(iii) a social service provider;
(iv) a leader of a neighborhood 
association;
(v) a public safety representative;
(vi) an employee of an organization that 
provides reentry services;
(vii) a member of a civic or volunteer 
group related to the provision of reentry 
services;
(viii) a health care professional; and
(ix) an employee of a State, local, or 
tribal government agency with expertise in the 
provision of reentry services.
(2) Community reentry center.--The term ``community reentry 
center'' means a center that--
(A) offers intake, reentry needs assessments, case 
management, and case planning for reentry services for 
individuals after conviction or incarceration;
(B) provides the reentry services identified under 
subsection (b)(1)(C) at a single location; and
(C) provides referrals to appropriate service 
providers based on the assessment of needs of the 
individuals.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
community-based nonprofit organization that--
(A) has expertise in the provision of reentry 
services; and
(B) is located in a geographic area that has 
disproportionately high numbers of residents, when 
compared to the local community, who--
(i) have been arrested;
(ii) have been convicted of a criminal 
offense; and
(iii) return to such geographic area after 
incarceration.
(4) Reentry services.--The term ``reentry services''--
(A) means comprehensive and holistic services that 
improve outcomes for individuals after conviction or 
incarceration; and
(B) includes--
(i) seeking and maintaining employment, 
including--
(I) assistance with drafting 
resumes, establishing emails accounts, 
locating job solicitations, submitting 
of job applications, and preparing for 
interviews; and
(II) securing any licenses, 
certifications, government-issued 
identifications, or other documentation 
necessary to obtain employment;
(ii) placement in job placement programs 
that partner with private employers;
(iii) obtaining free and low-cost job 
skills classes, including computer skills, 
technical skills, vocational skills, and any 
other job-related or other necessary skills;
(iv) supporting preparation for 
postsecondary education, including academic 
counseling, peer mentoring, and community 
support;
(v) locating and maintaining housing, which 
may include housing counseling, assisting with 
finding and securing affordable housing 
including in areas of opportunity, assisting 
with applications for subsidized housing and 
housing-related benefits, locating and 
identifying temporary shelter when housing 
cannot be found immediately, and applying for 
home energy and utility assistance programs;
(vi) obtaining identification cards, 
driver's licenses, replacement Social Security 
cards, birth certificates, and citizenship or 
immigration documentation;
(vii) registering to vote, and applying for 
voting rights to be restored, where permitted 
by law;
(viii) applying for or accessing high 
school equivalency classes, vocational 
rehabilitation, or technical courses;
(ix) applying for loans for and admission 
to institutions of higher education;
(x) financial counseling planning, 
empowerment, or coaching;
(xi) legal assistance or referrals for 
record sealing or expungement, forfeiture of 
property or assets, family law and custody 
matters, legal aid services (including other 
civil legal aid services), and relevant civil 
matters including housing and other issues;
(xii) retrieving property or funds retained 
by the arresting agency or facility of 
incarceration, or retrieving property or funds 
obtained while incarcerated;
(xiii) transportation, including through 
provision of transit fare;
(xiv) individual and familial counseling;
(xv) problem-solving, in coordination with 
counsel where necessary, any difficulties in 
compliance with court-ordered supervision 
requirements, including restrictions on living 
with certain family members, contact with 
certain friends, bond requirements, location 
and residency restrictions, electronic 
monitoring compliance, court-ordered substance 
use disorder treatment, and other court-ordered 
requirements;
(xvi) communication needs, including 
providing a mobile phone, mobile phone service 
or access, or internet access;
(xvii) applying for State or Federal 
Government benefits, where eligible, and 
assisting in locating free or reduced cost food 
and sustenance benefits;
(xviii) life skills assistance;
(xix) mentorship;
(xx) medical and mental health services, 
and cognitive-behavioral programming;
(xxi) substance use disorder treatment;
(xxii) reactivation, application for, and 
maintenance of professional or other licenses;
(xxiii) providing case management services, 
in connection with court-ordered terms of 
release, or other local publicly supported 
social work case management;
(xxiv) safety planning with victims of 
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
assault, stalking, and human trafficking; and
(xxv) applying for State Vocational 
Rehabilitation services for individuals with 
disabilities that may qualify or conduct an 
evaluation to determine whether they may be 
eligible or potentially eligible for vocational 
rehabilitation services.
(5) Success rate.--The term ``success rate'' means the rate 
of recidivism (as measured by a subsequent conviction or return 
to prison), job placement, permanent housing placement, or 
completion of certification, trade, or other education program.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry 
out this section.
(2) Equitable distribution.--The Attorney General shall 
ensure that grants awarded under this section are equitably 
distributed among the geographical regions and between urban 
and rural populations, including Indian Tribes, consistent with 
the objective of reducing recidivism.

SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR REENTRY SERVICES ASSISTANCE HOTLINES.

(a) Grants Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General is authorized to make 
grants to States, Indian Tribes, and units of local government 
to operate reentry services assistance hotlines that are toll-
free and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(2) Grant period.--A grant made under paragraph (1) shall 
be for a period of not more than 5 years.
(b) Hotline Requirements.--A grant recipient shall ensure, with 
respect to a hotline funded by a grant under subsection (a), that--
(1) the hotline directs individuals to local reentry 
services (as such term is defined in section 2(e));
(2) any personally identifiable information that an 
individual provides to an agency of the State or Indian Tribe 
through the hotline is not directly or indirectly disclosed, 
without the consent of the individual, to any other agency or 
entity, or person;
(3) the staff members who operate the hotline are trained 
to be knowledgeable about--
(A) applicable Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
reentry services; and
(B) the unique barriers to successful reentry into 
the community after a person has been convicted or 
incarcerated;
(4) the hotline is accessible to--
(A) individuals with limited English proficiency, 
consistent with applicable law; and
(B) individuals with disabilities; and
(5) the hotline has the capability to engage with 
individuals using text messages.
(c) Best Practices.--The Attorney General shall issue guidance to 
grant recipients on best practices for implementing the requirements of 
subsection (b).
(d) Preference.--The Attorney General shall give preference to 
applicants that demonstrate that they seek to employ individuals to 
operate the hotline who have been convicted of an offense, or have 
served a term of imprisonment and have completed any court-ordered 
supervision.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(2) State.--The term ``State'' means--
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D) any other territory or possession of the United 
States.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to 
carry out this section.
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