The CAREER Act of 2025 would reauthorize and update certain programs created under the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (Public Law 115-271). Its central aim is to support people with substance use disorders through a combination of treatment, recovery services, and workforce supports. Key features include updating the data used to determine grant funding, allowing limited transportation assistance for participants, aligning grant reporting with workforce outcomes, and extending a Recovery Housing Pilot Program through 2030 with higher funding levels in coming years. The bill reshapes funding, data inputs, and program requirements to emphasize employment outcomes and access to work-related services for participants. For background, the bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator McConnell (joined by Senators Hagerty and Fetterman) and would amend provisions in the CAREER Act within the SUPPORT act, making several updates to grant authorities, program requirements, and the duration and funding of related initiatives.
Key Points
- 1Reauthorization and scope
- 2- Reauthorizes the CAREER Act grant program within the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, covering treatment, recovery, and workforce support for individuals with substance use disorders.
- 3- Updates program references and table of contents to reflect CAREER Act provisions.
- 4Data-driven funding and program requirements
- 5- Revamps the funding-rate calculation to use the highest average rates for 2018–2022 (overdose death rates from CDC; unemployment rates from BLS; lowest labor force participation rates from BLS).
- 6- Requires grant outcomes to include employment and earnings metrics aligned with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 116(b)(2)(A)(i) participation and earnings data for participants.
- 7Transportation and use of funds
- 8- Grants may use up to 5% of funds for transportation to help participants get to work, vocational education/training, or treatment/recovery services.
- 9Funding levels and timelines
- 10- Increases authorized funding for the CAREER Act grants: from a prior level of $5,000,000 per year (for 2019–2023) to $12,000,000 per year for 2026–2030.
- 11- Extends grant-related program terms and reporting timelines through 2030.
- 12Recovery Housing Pilot Program
- 13- Extends the Recovery Housing Pilot Program (a component of CAREER Act) through 2030, updating the data inputs to 2018–2022 for unemployment, labor participation, and overdose death rates.
- 14- Makes related clerical and structural amendments to reflect the extended program.
- 15Administrative/clerical changes
- 16- Updates cross-references and headings in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to reflect the CAREER Act provisions, and adjusts timelines in several sections accordingly.