HF996

Purpose

To provide funding to support workforce readiness for people who face barriers to employment. Specifically, the bill appropriates money to fund a grant from the Workforce Development Fund to the Jobs Foundation for its Repowered workforce readiness program, focusing on formerly incarcerated individuals.

Main Provisions

• Amount: $450,000
• Fiscal year: 2026
• Source: Workforce Development Fund
• Recipient: Jobs Foundation
• Program: Repowered workforce readiness program
• Authorized uses: direct training support services, safety enhancements, and economic support for formerly incarcerated individuals experiencing barriers to employment
• Nature of funding: one-time appropriation (not ongoing)

Administration and Oversight

• Administered by: Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development
• Purpose of the grant: to support the Repowered workforce readiness program run by the Jobs Foundation

Significance and Impact

• Expands support for helping formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter the workforce
• Aims to reduce barriers to employment through targeted training, safety improvements, and related economic assistance
• Provides a temporary, specific infusion of funding to a program intended to boost job readiness

Relevant terms workforce development fund; commissioner of employment and economic development; Jobs Foundation; Repowered workforce readiness program; formerly incarcerated individuals; barriers to employment; direct training support services; safety enhancements; economic support; one-time appropriation; fiscal year 2026; grant.