HRES 289119th CongressIn Committee

Expressing support for the designation of April 2025 as "Second Chance Month".

Introduced: Apr 1, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H. Res. 289 is a non-binding House resolution introduced on April 1, 2025, expressing support for designating April 2025 as “Second Chance Month.” The resolution states that it should be a time to recognize the value and dignity of individuals, acknowledge the importance of redemption and second chances, and encourage actions to reduce legal and societal barriers faced by people with criminal records. It notes that collateral consequences—automatic legal and social penalties tied to a conviction—often persist after incarceration and impede employment, education, housing, and public safety. The measure references existing reform efforts (the Second Chance Act of 2007 and the First Step Act of 2018) and the work of related programs, and it calls on Americans to observe Second Chance Month through programs and actions that raise awareness and provide closure for those who have paid their debt. As a resolution, it does not create new laws or grant new rights; rather, it signals congressional support for reducing barriers to reintegration and encourages public awareness and community-based efforts to help people with criminal records successfully reenter society.

Key Points

1Designates April 2025 as “Second Chance Month” and expresses support for recognizing second chances as a national value.
2Emphasizes that millions of Americans have criminal records and that collateral consequences (automatic legal and societal penalties) can persist regardless of the connection to the crime, seriousness, time elapsed, or efforts to make amends.
3Highlights that meaningful employment and education are strong predictors of successful reentry and can reduce future crime; notes that collateral consequences can block employment, licensing, education funding, housing, and other opportunities.
4References the Second Chance Act of 2007 and the First Step Act of 2018 as prior bipartisan efforts that expanded reentry services and opportunities for those leaving prison, including thousands of individuals served.
5Calls on the public to observe Second Chance Month through actions that raise awareness of barriers and provide closure for individuals who have paid their debt, while honoring communities, institutions, and individuals working to remove unnecessary barriers.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Individuals returning from prison or with criminal records (including ex-offenders and those in reentry programs), whose access to employment, housing, education, and licensing could be affected by collateral consequences.Secondary group/area affected- Employers, licensing boards, landlords, educational institutions, and housing programs that interact with or set policies for people with criminal records; community organizations and faith-based groups that provide reentry support.- Underserved communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by collateral consequences and related barriers.Additional impacts- Potential public-safety benefits if reduced barriers lead to better employment and reintegration and lower recidivism.- Increased public awareness of collateral consequences and encouragement of voluntary actions to remove unnecessary barriers.- The resolution reinforces ongoing policy themes from the Second Chance Act and First Step Act, though it does not create new statutory requirements.

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