One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8548
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-28: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-19T20:48:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 authorizes federal grants to support community-based nonprofits in operating one-stop reentry centers and to fund states, local governments, and Indian Tribes in running 24/7 toll-free hotlines. The goal is to help people returning to society after conviction or prison (formerly incarcerated individuals) and their families access comprehensive services, reduce repeat offenses (recidivism), and improve outcomes like employment and housing.
Key Provisions
Community Reentry Center Grant Program (Section 2)
- Authorized by the Attorney General to award grants to eligible community-based nonprofits in areas with high rates of arrests, convictions, and returns from prison.
- Application must include:
- Collaboration with community stakeholders (e.g., school officials, faith leaders, social service providers) to identify needs via surveys or focus groups.
- Plans for transportation, notice of services, trauma-informed and gender-responsive assessments, direct services or referrals, ongoing support for those who relocate, and performance goals (e.g., lower recidivism, better jobs/housing/education).
- Matching funds from state/local/private sources where possible.
- Preferences: Hiring formerly incarcerated people, especially in leadership roles.
- Evaluation: Independent nonprofit monitors grantees; annual reports to Congress on metrics like grants awarded, participants served, recidivism rates, employment/housing/education gains.
- Funding: $10 million authorized annually for FY 2027–2031, equitably distributed across urban/rural areas and Indian Tribes.
- Definitions: Covers "reentry services" (e.g., job help, housing, ID documents, counseling, substance treatment, voting rights restoration) and "community reentry center" (single-location hub for assessments, services, referrals).
Reentry Services Assistance Hotlines (Section 3)
- Authorized grants to states (including DC, Puerto Rico, territories), Indian Tribes, and local governments for toll-free, 24/7 hotlines (up to 5 years).
- Requirements:
- Direct callers to local reentry services.
- Protect personal information (no sharing without consent).
- Trained staff knowledgeable on barriers to reentry; accessible to limited English speakers, people with disabilities, and via text.
- Preferences: Employ formerly incarcerated operators.
- Guidance: Attorney General issues best practices.
- Funding: $1.5 million authorized annually for FY 2027–2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new grant programs not previously authorized; no explicit amendments to prior laws, but builds on existing reentry efforts by creating dedicated, community-focused infrastructure (one-stop centers and hotlines) with detailed performance tracking and privacy safeguards.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Attorney General's office (DOJ) gains responsibilities for grant administration, evaluations, reporting, and guidance; requires coordination with nonprofits for data analysis.
- Citizens: Formerly incarcerated individuals and families may see improved access to holistic services, potentially leading to lower recidivism, higher employment/housing stability, and better education outcomes; benefits communities with high reentry populations.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Formerly incarcerated individuals and their families (primary beneficiaries).
- Community-based nonprofits (eligible for center grants).
- States, local governments, and Indian Tribes (eligible for hotline grants).
- Community stakeholders (e.g., faith leaders, social services, schools, public safety reps) for planning/input.
- Attorney General/DOJ (program oversight).
- Employers and service providers (partners for jobs, housing, education).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Privacy protections: Strong limits on sharing hotline user data, aligning with privacy laws.
- Equity focus: Mandates distribution to urban/rural/Tribal areas and preferences for hiring formerly incarcerated people, promoting rehabilitation and second chances.
- Accountability: Rigorous evaluation and congressional reporting ensure measurable results on recidivism and success metrics.
- No constitutional challenges evident; supports public safety via reduced recidivism without infringing rights. Politically, emphasizes community-led solutions over purely punitive approaches.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-28: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-04-28: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-28 — PDF (17 pages)