Workforce Opportunity for Returning Citizens Act

“172. Grants to assist incarcerated or previously incarcerated individuals

“(a) In general—From the amounts appropriated under subsection (g), the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to develop or expand education or workforce training programs that lead to employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals or previously incarcerated individuals and reduce recidivism.

“(b) Priority—In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that will use the grants to develop or expand training programs described in subsection (a) that will lead participants of such programs—

“(1) to jobs in skilled trade (such as jobs in construction, plumbing, welding, heating and air conditioning, or masonry); or

“(2) to the attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials.

“(c) Application requirements—To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

“(d) Uses of funds—An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant to develop or expand a training program described in subsection (a).

“(e) Reports—Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary a report on—

“(1) the amount of the grant awarded to the eligible entity for the preceding grant year, and how such grant was used; and

“(2) the progress, as described in section 116, of the eligible entity with respect to the training program developed or expanded with such grant, including the relative rate of recidivism of the participants of such program.

“(f) Definitions

“(1) Correctional institution—The term “correctional institution” has the meaning given the term in section 225(e)(1).

“(2) Education or workforce training program—The term “education or workforce training program” includes—

“(A) an apprenticeship program;

“(B) an on-the-job training program, or

“(C) a program providing classroom instruction.

“(3) Eligible entity—The term “eligible entity” means—

“(A) a local board;

“(B) an area career and technical education school;

“(C) an intermediary;

“(D) an institution of higher education, including a 2-year institution of higher education; or

“(E) a consortium of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).

“(4) Incarcerated individual—The term “incarcerated individual” means an adult or juvenile who is in the custody of a correctional institution.

“(5) Previously incarcerated individual—The term “previously incarcerated individual” means an adult or juvenile who has been an incarcerated individual at any time during the preceding 36-month period.

“(g) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.”