The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2020

IIB 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 8161 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES DECEMBER 9, 2020 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary AN ACT To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 HR 8161 RFS SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 1 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘The One Stop Shop 2 Community Reentry Program Act of 2020’’. 3 SEC. 2. COMMUNITY REENTRY CENTER GRANT PROGRAM. 4 (a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Attorney General 5 is authorized to carry out a grant program to make grants 6 to eligible entities for the purpose of creating community 7 reentry centers. 8 (b) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—Each applica- 9 tion for a grant under this section shall— 10 (1) demonstrate a plan to work with community 11 leaders who interact with formerly incarcerated peo- 12 ple and their families to— 13 (A) identify specific strategies and ap- 14 proaches to providing reentry services; 15 (B) develop a needs assessment tool to sur- 16 vey or conduct focus groups with community 17 members in order to identify— 18 (i) the needs of individuals returning 19 to the community after conviction or incar- 20 ceration, and the barriers such individuals 21 face; and 22 (ii) the needs of the families and com- 23 munities to which such individuals are re- 24 turning; and 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 HR 8161 RFS (C) use the information gathered pursuant 1 to subparagraph (B) to determine the reentry 2 services to be provided by the community re- 3 entry center; 4 (2) identify the correctional institutions from 5 which individuals who are released from incarcer- 6 ation are likely to reenter the community served by 7 the community reentry center, and develop a plan, if 8 feasible, to provide transportation for such released 9 individuals to the community reentry center, to the 10 individual’s residence, or to a location where the in- 11 dividual is ordered by a court to report; 12 (3) demonstrate a plan to provide accessible no- 13 tice of the location of the reentry intake and coordi- 14 nation center and the services that it will provide 15 (either directly or on a referral basis), including, 16 where feasible, within and outside of correctional in- 17 stitutions identified under paragraph (1); 18 (4) demonstrate a plan to provide intake and 19 reentry needs assessment that is trauma-informed 20 and gender-responsive after an individual is released 21 from a correctional institution, or, in the case of an 22 individual who is convicted of an offense and not 23 sentenced to a term of imprisonment, after such con- 24 viction, and where feasible, before release, to ensure 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 4 HR 8161 RFS that the individuals served by the center are referred 1 to appropriate reentry services based on the individ- 2 ual’s needs immediately upon release from a correc- 3 tional institution or after conviction, and continu- 4 ously thereafter as needed; 5 (5) demonstrate a plan to provide the reentry 6 services identified in paragraph (1)(C); 7 (6) demonstrate a plan to continue to provide 8 services (including through referral) for individuals 9 served by the center who move to a different geo- 10 graphic area to ensure appropriate case manage- 11 ment, case planning, and access to continuous or 12 new services, where necessary, and based on con- 13 sistent reevaluation of needs; and 14 (7) identify specific methods that the commu- 15 nity reentry center will employ to achieve perform- 16 ance objectives among the individuals served by the 17 center, including— 18 (A) increased access to and participation 19 in reentry services; 20 (B) reduction in recidivism rates; 21 (C) increased numbers of individuals ob- 22 taining and retaining employment; 23 (D) increased enrollment in and degrees 24 earned from educational programs, including 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 5 HR 8161 RFS high school, GED, and institutions of higher 1 education; 2 (E) increased numbers of individuals ob- 3 taining and maintaining housing; and 4 (F) increased self-reports of successful 5 community living, including stability of living 6 situation and positive family relationships. 7 (c) PREFERENCE.—The Attorney General shall give 8 preference to applicants that demonstrate that they seek 9 to employ individuals who have been convicted of an of- 10 fense, or served a term of imprisonment and have com- 11 pleted any court-ordered supervision, or that, to the extent 12 allowable by law, employ such formerly incarcerated indi- 13 viduals in positions of responsibility. 14 (d) EVALUATION AND REPORT.— 15 (1) EVALUATION.—The Attorney General shall 16 enter into a contract with a nonprofit organization 17 with expertise in analyzing data related to reentry 18 services and recidivism to monitor and evaluate each 19 recipient of a grant and each community reentry 20 center receiving funds under this section on an ongo- 21 ing basis. 22 (2) ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.—The nonprofit 23 organization described in paragraph (1) shall provide 24 administrative support to assist recipients of grants 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 6 HR 8161 RFS authorized by this Act to comply with the conditions 1 associated with the receipt of funding from the De- 2 partment of Justice. 3 (3) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 4 date on which grants are initially made under this 5 section, and annually thereafter, the Attorney Gen- 6 eral shall submit to Congress a report on the pro- 7 gram, which shall include— 8 (A) the number of grants made, the num- 9 ber of eligible entities receiving such grants, 10 and the amount of funding distributed to each 11 eligible entity pursuant to this section; 12 (B) the location of each eligible entity re- 13 ceiving such a grant, and the population served 14 by the community reentry center; 15 (C) the number of persons who have par- 16 ticipated in reentry services offered by a com- 17 munity reentry center, disaggregated by type of 18 services, and success rates of participants in 19 each service to the extent possible; 20 (D) the number of persons who have par- 21 ticipated in reentry services for which they re- 22 ceived a referral from a community reentry cen- 23 ter, disaggregated by type of services, and suc- 24 cess rates of participants in each service; 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 7 HR 8161 RFS (E) recidivism rates within the population 1 served by each community reentry center, both 2 before and after receiving a grant under this 3 section; 4 (F) the numbers of individuals obtaining 5 and retaining employment within the population 6 served by each community reentry center, both 7 before and after receiving a grant under this 8 section; and 9 (G) the number of individuals obtaining 10 and maintaining housing within the population 11 served by each community reentry center, both 12 before and after receiving a grant under this 13 section. 14 (e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 15 (1) The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means a commu- 16 nity-based nonprofit organization that— 17 (A) has expertise in the provision of re- 18 entry services; and 19 (B) is located in a geographic area that 20 has disproportionately high numbers of resi- 21 dents, when compared to the local community, 22 who— 23 (i) have been arrested; 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 8 HR 8161 RFS (ii) have been convicted of a criminal 1 offense; and 2 (iii) return to such geographic area 3 after incarceration. 4 (2) The term ‘‘community reentry center’’ 5 means a center that— 6 (A) offers intake, reentry needs assess- 7 ments, case management, and case planning for 8 reentry services for individuals returning to the 9 community after conviction or incarceration; 10 (B) provides the reentry services identified 11 under subsection (b)(1)(C) at a single location; 12 and 13 (C) provides referrals to appropriate serv- 14 ice providers based on the assessment of needs 15 of the individuals. 16 (3) The term ‘‘reentry services’’ means com- 17 prehensive and holistic services that improve out- 18 comes for individuals returning to the community 19 after conviction or incarceration, and may include— 20 (A) seeking and maintaining employment, 21 including through assistance with drafting re- 22 sumes, establishing emails accounts, locating 23 job solicitations, submitting of job applications, 24 and preparing for interviews; 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 9 HR 8161 RFS (B) placement in job placement programs 1 that partner with private employers; 2 (C) obtaining free and low-cost job skills 3 classes, including computer skills, technical 4 skills, vocational skills, and any other job-re- 5 lated skills; 6 (D) locating and maintaining housing, 7 which may include counseling on public housing 8 opportunities, assisting with applications for 9 public housing benefits, locating and securing 10 temporary or long-term shelter, and applying 11 for home energy and utility assistance pro- 12 grams; 13 (E) obtaining identification cards and driv- 14 er’s licenses; 15 (F) registering to vote, and applying for 16 voting rights to be restored, where permitted by 17 law; 18 (G) applying for or accessing GED 19 courses; 20 (H) applying for loans for and admission 21 to institutions of higher education; 22 (I) financial counseling; 23 (J) legal assistance or referrals for record 24 expungement, forfeiture of property or assets, 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 10 HR 8161 RFS family law and custody matters, legal aid serv- 1 ices (including other civil legal aid services), 2 and relevant civil matters including housing and 3 other issues; 4 (K) retrieving property or funds retained 5 by the arresting agency or facility of incarcer- 6 ation, or retrieving property or funds obtained 7 while incarcerated; 8 (L) transportation, including through pro- 9 vision of transit fare; 10 (M) familial counseling; 11 (N) problem-solving, in coordination with 12 counsel where necessary, any difficulties in 13 compliance with court-ordered supervision re- 14 quirements, including restrictions on living with 15 certain family members, contact with certain 16 friends, bond requirements, location and resi- 17 dency restrictions, electronic monitoring compli- 18 ance, court-ordered substance abuse, and other 19 court-ordered requirements; 20 (O) communication needs, including pro- 21 viding a mobile phone, mobile phone service or 22 access, or internet access; 23 (P) applying for State or Federal govern- 24 ment benefits, where eligible, and assisting in 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 11 HR 8161 RFS locating free or reduced cost food and suste- 1 nance benefits; 2 (Q) life skills assistance; 3 (R) mentorship; 4 (S) medical and mental health services, 5 and cognitive-behavioral programming; 6 (T) substance abuse treatment; 7 (U) reactivation, application for, and main- 8 tenance of professional or other licenses; and 9 (V) providing case management services, in 10 connection with court-orders terms of release, 11 or other local publicly supported social work 12 case management. 13 (4) The term ‘‘community leader’’ means an in- 14 dividual who serves the community in a leadership 15 role, including— 16 (A) a school official; 17 (B) a faith leader; 18 (C) a social service provider; 19 (D) a member of a neighborhood associa- 20 tion; 21 (E) a public safety representative; 22 (F) an employee of an organization that 23 provides reentry services; 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 12 HR 8161 RFS (G) a member of a civic or volunteer group 1 related to the provision of reentry services; 2 (H) a health care professional; or 3 (I) an employee of a State, local, or tribal 4 government agency with expertise in the provi- 5 sion of reentry services. 6 (5) The term ‘‘success rate’’ means the rate of 7 recidivism (as measured by a subsequent conviction 8 or return to prison), job placement, permanent hous- 9 ing placement, or completion of certification, trade, 10 or other education program. 11 (f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 12 (1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 13 appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 14 2021 through 2025 to carry out this section. 15 (2) EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION.—The Attorney 16 General shall ensure that grants awarded under this 17 section are equitably distributed among the geo- 18 graphical regions and between urban and rural pop- 19 ulations, including Indian Tribes, consistent with the 20 objective of reducing recidivism. 21 SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR REENTRY SERVICES ASSISTANCE HOT- 22 LINES. 23 (a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 11, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8161.RFS H8161 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 13 HR 8161 RFS (1) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General is au- 1 thorized to make grants to States and units of local 2 government to operate reentry services assistance 3 hotlines that are toll-free and operate 24 hours a 4 day, 7 days a week. 5 (2) GRANT PERIOD.—A grant made under 6 paragraph (1) shall be for a period of not more than 7 5 years. 8 (b) HOTLINE REQUIREMENTS.—A grant recipient 9 shall ensure, with respect to a hotline funded by a grant 10 under subsection (a), that— 11 (1) the hotline directs individuals to local re- 12 entry services (as such term is defined in section 13 2(e)); [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]