This bill reauthorizes and expands federal grant programs supporting formerly incarcerated individuals with reentry, substance use disorder treatment, and career training through 2030.
Carol Miller
Representative
WV-1
The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and improves key federal grant programs designed to support successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. This legislation shifts the authorization window for several demonstration projects to run from 2026 through 2030. It also specifically broadens the scope of reentry demonstration projects to explicitly fund substance use disorder treatment, including peer recovery services and reentry housing. Overall, the bill ensures continued federal support for vital reentry, education, and substance abuse collaboration initiatives through the end of the decade.
Second Chance Act Grants Extended Through 2030, Adding Housing and Overdose Treatment to Reentry Programs
The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 is basically the federal government hitting the 'refresh' button on several key programs designed to help people successfully re-enter society after incarceration. If you’re busy and just need the takeaway, here it is: the funding windows for five major federal reentry grant programs—which were set to expire—are now extended from 2023 all the way through 2030 (SEC. 2).
No More Expiration Dates: Keeping the Lights On
Think of these grants as the fuel for local programs that provide real support, like job training, education, and therapy, to formerly incarcerated individuals. By extending the authorization period for these programs until 2030, the bill ensures continuity. This means organizations running things like Family-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Grants and Mentoring and Transitional Service Grants don't have to worry about shutting down next year. For the individual trying to rebuild a life, this stability is huge—it means the career training program they rely on won't suddenly vanish (SEC. 2).
The Critical New Focus: Housing and Health
The biggest structural change comes in how the bill updates the rules for state and local Reentry Demonstration Projects. Previously, these projects had a broad mandate, but the new version explicitly broadens the scope to include two critical, often overlooked areas: reentry housing services and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment (SEC. 2). This is a major practical upgrade.
If you’ve ever tried to find an apartment in a tight market, you know how hard it is even with a clean record and a steady job. For someone just released, stable housing is the number one hurdle to getting back on their feet. By allowing these grants to fund housing services, the bill directly tackles the revolving door of homelessness and recidivism. On the health side, the bill ensures funds can cover things like peer recovery services, case management, and access to overdose education and reversal medications. This acknowledges the reality that many people returning from the justice system are struggling with addiction, and treating that is essential to public safety and personal success.
What This Means for the Community
For local governments and non-profits, this bill is a clear signal that the federal partnership is solid for the next five years, allowing for long-term planning instead of constant crisis management. For the rest of us, better reentry outcomes translate directly into safer communities and fewer people cycling through the system. When someone gets stable housing and effective treatment, they are more likely to hold a job, pay taxes, and stay out of trouble. The bill also extends grants for evaluating and improving educational methods in prisons and for career training demonstration grants, ensuring that skills learned behind bars are actually relevant to the modern job market (SEC. 2).