One Stop Reentry Program Act

Full Title:
One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to community-based nonprofit organizations to create and run "community reentry centers." These centers must offer intake, trauma-informed reentry needs assessments, case management, and referrals. The bill lists many possible reentry services that centers may provide at a single location, such as help finding jobs, getting IDs, housing assistance, education and vocational training, legal help, counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and transportation. The bill also authorizes grants to States, Indian Tribes, and local governments to run toll-free, 24/7 reentry services hotlines that direct people to local reentry services and protect callers' personal information.

The bill sets application rules for grantees. Applicants must work with community stakeholders, develop needs assessments, plan outreach and intake (including, where feasible, before release), and describe how they will measure outcomes like employment, education, housing, and recidivism. The Attorney General must give preference to applicants that seek to employ or hire formerly incarcerated people. The Attorney General must contract with a nonprofit evaluator to monitor grantees and must report to Congress annually with details about grants, services, participation, and outcomes. The bill defines eligible entities and lists many specific services that qualify as reentry services.

What it means for you#

  • If you were convicted or incarcerated: the centers would offer a single place to get help after release or after conviction, including job help, IDs, housing help, education and training, legal referrals, health and counseling, and transportation.
  • If you run or work for a community nonprofit: eligible organizations with reentry experience in high-need areas can apply for grants to operate a center. Applications must show community engagement, intake plans, and performance measures.
  • If you are a State, Tribe, or local government: you can apply for grants to run a 24/7, toll-free reentry hotline that must be accessible, protect caller information, and be able to use text messaging.
  • If you are a funder or researcher: the Attorney General will require monitoring and annual reports on where money goes, who is served, and measured outcomes such as recidivism, employment, housing, and education.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out grants for community reentry centers.
  • The bill authorizes $1,500,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for reentry services assistance hotlines.
  • No publicly available information on total program costs beyond these authorized annual amounts or on specific grant award sizes and allocations.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.