Bill > H6221

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Second Chance Month" in Rhode Island, drawing attention to the challenges faced by individuals with arrest or conviction records. The resolution highlights that between 70-100 million people in the United States have a past arrest or conviction record, which can create significant barriers to employment, housing, and stability. It references the Second Chance Act (SCA) of 2008, which aims to break incarceration cycles and help people reenter their communities, and notes that individuals with records are often disadvantaged, being 50 percent less likely to receive a callback for employment. The resolution emphasizes that people who remain crime-free for 4-7 years are no more likely to commit offenses, and those with sealed records have shown increased employment rates and income. By proclaiming Second Chance Month, the Rhode Island House of Representatives seeks to shift perceptions and provide fair opportunities for individuals with criminal records to work, obtain education, and reach their full potential. The resolution also directs the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies to specific representatives of organizations supporting formerly incarcerated individuals.

https://status.rilegislature.gov/