H.R. 8548: One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 aims to support individuals reentering society after incarceration by providing grants to community-based nonprofits to create community reentry centers. These centers would offer a variety of services to assist formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, helping them to reintegrate successfully into their communities.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Establishment of Grant Program: The bill authorizes the Attorney General to implement a grant program that allocates funds to eligible nonprofit organizations to establish community reentry centers.
Application Requirements: Organizations applying for grants must demonstrate their plans for collaboration with community stakeholders, conduct needs assessments, and develop a plan to provide diverse reentry services tailored to the needs of individuals with criminal records.
Transportation Support: The bill encourages grant applicants to plan transportation solutions to help released individuals reach the reentry centers or their homes.
Accessibility and Continuous Support: Community reentry centers must ensure that information about services is accessible and provide ongoing support to individuals who may relocate after reentry.
Performance Objectives: The bill outlines specific performance objectives such as increasing access to reentry services, reducing rates of recidivism, helping individuals secure employment, and improving educational enrollment and achievement.
Evaluation and Reporting: The Attorney General is required to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the funded centers, providing annual reports to Congress on various metrics including the number of grants, the population served, and success rates in reducing recidivism and increasing employment.
Funding Authorization: The bill proposes an allocation of $10 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these initiatives, ensuring equitable distribution among urban, rural, and tribal areas.

Hotlines for Reentry Services

In addition to funding for reentry centers, the bill authorizes grants for establishing toll-free reentry services assistance hotlines, available 24/7. These hotlines will connect individuals with local reentry services, ensuring privacy for callers and providing trained staff knowledgeable about reentry issues.

Funding and Oversight

A total of $1.5 million is designated annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the hotline program, with guidelines for best practices to be issued by the Attorney General. Priority will be given to applicants for both the reentry centers and hotlines that include individuals with prior convictions in their staffing.

Definitions and Stakeholder Involvement

Community stakeholders are defined broadly to include various local leaders, social service providers, and individuals from organizations that provide reentry services. This inclusive approach aims to leverage community expertise in developing effective reentry solutions.