H.R. 5372 — DEMO Act

This section establishes a new grant program under SSA §2008(d) authorizing the HHS Secretary, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Education and the Attorney General, to award grants to eligible entities (e.g., local workforce development boards, states, territories, political subdivisions, community colleges, or qualified nonprofits) for demonstration projects of at least three years. The projects provide education, training, legal assistance, and other supports (e.g., emergency funds) to enable low-income individuals with arrest or conviction records to pursue career pathways in high-demand or shortage health professions occupations (e.g., allied health and behavioral health). Grant applications must demonstrate state policies allowing credentialing for such individuals, applicant or partner experience with criminal record populations, recruitment and post-employment plans, and research on suitable jobs; the Secretary must give preference to prior successful grantees and those with emergency funds, provide tailored technical assistance, and conduct rigorous evaluations of project outcomes (e.g., credential attainment, job placement, retention). (As background, SSA §2008 generally funds demonstration projects to train low-income individuals for health workforce needs; this new subsection targets barriers faced by those with criminal records.)