House Passes H.R. 1593, the House version of the Second Chance Act
On November 14, 2007, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1593, the House version of the Second Chance Act, by a vote of 347 to 62. The Second Chance Act is bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), along with Reps. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Lamar Smith (R-Texas), that would provide safe and successful return of formerly incarcerated people to the community. There is also a similar Second Chance Act bill (S. 1060) in the Senate that has not yet passed.
There are still several steps that must be taken before the Second Chance Act becomes law. Right now, it does not affect anyone.
The Senate must now pass S. 1060. If it is passed by the Senate, it would proceed to a conference committee where the House and Senate versions of the Second Chance Act will be reconciled. Then the bill would be sent to the President, who must sign it into law before it would affect anyone.
What would the Second Chance Act do?
H.R. 1593 authorizes $342 million for transitional assistance to aid ex-offenders coping with the challenges of reentry. The bill funds a continuum of reentry programs, including:
Provide or facilitate a continuum of addiction treatment services, including family-based treatment programs for incarcerated parents who have minor children;
Provide or facilitate health care services, including mental health care services;
Provide job training, education and English as a second language programs and work experience programs;
Provide structured post-release housing and transitional housing; and
Initiate a one-year, limited pilot program early release for eligible elderly prisoners (over the age of 65) convicted of nonviolent offenses.
Remember, there are still several steps that must be taken before the Second Chance Act becomes law. Right now, it does not affect anyone - it is only a bill.
Click here to read an opinion editorial by Senator Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) and Senator Joseph Biden (D-Del.) on the Senate version of the Second Chance Act.