13-ACTION ALERT- The Second Chance Act of 2007 is about to be Re-Authorized

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11-16-2013 Washington DC:

There are TWO bills in Congress the intent of which is to Re-Authorize the Second Chance Act of 2007. The bills are exactly the same as each other: in the House HR-3465 "Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2013," and in the Senate S-1690 "A bill to reauthorize the Second Chance Act of 2007."

There is NOTHING wrong with these bills as they merely continue (Re-Authorize) the Second Chance Act of 2007 which is a GREAT bill and helps many folks. However, as to sex offenders the 2007 Second Chance Act has a BAD section in it which denies sex offenders access to the same beneficial programs folks convicted of other crime types have access to. As a reminder here is what is tucked into the 2007 act:

42 USC § 17532 - Responsible reintegration of offenders
(a) Eligible offenders

(1) In general
In this section, the term “eligible offender” means an individual who—

(A) is 18 years of age or older;
(B) has been convicted as an adult and imprisoned under Federal or State law;
(C) has never been convicted of a violent or sex-related offense; and
(D) except as provided in paragraph (2), has been released from a prison or jail for not more than 180 days before the date on which the individual begins participating in a grant program carried out under this section.

Accordingly, folks convicted of a sex-related offense are automatically denied access to the beneficial programs other offenders have access to. So this is a good time to contact all your Representatives and Senators in Washington DC and ASK that they do what they can to get that section deleted from the law. Use the links provided to find your particular folks in DC.

Well, for now, have a great day & a better tomorrow.
eAdvocate