H.R. 1633 — Workforce Reentry Act

This section establishes the Ex-offenders Reentry Program Start-up Grants within Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), redesignating existing section 172 as section 173. (As background, WIOA authorizes workforce development programs that provide training, job placement, and related services to job seekers and workers through state and local workforce boards.) The Secretary of Labor must use at least 30% of funds available under new section 173(d) for pay-for-performance contracts of up to four years with eligible entities (e.g., nonprofits, local boards, governments, employers, and institutions of higher education) to support reentry projects for eligible participants—generally individuals convicted and imprisoned under federal or state law who were released from incarceration within the prior two years (with up to 10% exception for others)—and may use remaining funds for competitive grants of up to four years to provide skills development, job placement, and mentoring. In awarding contracts or grants, the Secretary must prioritize entities partnering to offer postsecondary credentials in in-demand occupations or employer-committed on-the-job or customized training; additional four-year awards are authorized for strong performers. Applications must describe program details, evidence-based or promising practices, business partnerships, expected performance on core indicators, and coordination with WIOA one-stop delivery systems.