This bill requires certain Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant recipients to provide free public transportation to returning individuals (i.e., individuals who have been incarcerated for at least one year in federal or state prison).
Specifically, the bill requires recipients of FTA financial assistance under the Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program and the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program to carry out a reentry service program. A grantee must provide reentry service for a one-year period beginning on the returning individual's release date. The bill also establishes certain program requirements for grantees (e.g., to create an enrollment system for returning individuals).
The Department of Transportation (DOT) may reimburse a grantee for the cost of providing the reentry service, including for indirect costs (e.g., the costs to develop and implement the program and operational costs).
DOT must issue such regulations as necessary to carry out these requirements. This includes regulations that (1) promote the coordination of providing technical assistance to grantees, (2) promote the marketing of the reentry service, and (3) clarify the treatment of a returning individual who resides in different locations.
The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to Congress on the implementation of the reentry service program.
