2026 -- H 8392

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LC004531

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

DESIGNATING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "SECOND CHANCE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Cruz, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Sanchez,
Stewart, J. Brien, Giraldo, Felix, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: April 02, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Second Chance Act (SCA), passed in 2008, is the largest source of

federal funding established to break incarceration cycles and help people reenter their

communities after jail or prison; and

     WHEREAS, The SCA has fueled significant drops in recidivism and has saved

governments money, made and kept neighborhoods safer, and is helping people lead healthy and

meaningful lives; and

     WHEREAS, Second Chance Month (SCM) is a nationally-recognized celebration of

second chances, fresh starts, and breaking barriers for people who have been impacted by the

legal system; and

     WHEREAS, Many of the statistical figures cited in relation to these issues are based on

studies and analyses that may differ in methodology and scope, and therefore should be

understood as estimates rather than precise or uniform measures; and

     WHEREAS, Between 70 - 100 million people in the United States have a past arrest or

conviction record, which includes arrests that did not lead to convictions, misdemeanors, and

felonies, but can create significant barriers to employment, housing, education, and long-term

stability; and

     WHEREAS, A staggering 92-96 percent of employers, 90 percent of landlords, and

approximately 66 to more than 90 percent of all types of educational institutions, utilize

background checks, which often limits opportunities for those persons with records. In addition,

over 42,000 state and federal restrictions impose additional obstacles, many affecting essential

aspects of life; and

     WHEREAS, Past arrest or conviction records have resulted in nearly half of all children

in the United States currently having at least one parent with a record; and

     WHEREAS, Millions of people with arrest or conviction records report difficulty getting

a job and maintaining employment and they are 50 percent less likely to get a callback for a job

interview, contributing to cycles of unemployment and poverty; and

     WHEREAS, Support for the sealing of eligible records for people who have remained

crime-free for a period of time is:

     • A person is no more likely to commit an offense after staying crime-free for 4 to 7

years than anyone else;

     • Studies have shown that within one year of having a record sealed, people were 11

percent more likely to be employed and saw an over 22 percent increase in income; and

     • Over 15 million people are currently eligible for full or partial record sealing in the 12

states, representing the full political spectrum, that have already enacted legislation to meet

sealing of eligible records criteria; and

     WHEREAS, The purpose and vision of Second Chance Month is to no longer define a

person only by their past record, but to provide them with a fair opportunity to work, get an

education and a job, and reach their full potential; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims April of 2026, to be "Second Chance Month" and reinforces support and commitment

to providing second chances; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Meko Lincoln and Dawn Trimble, Board of

Directors, The Formerly Incarcerated Union of Rhode Island, Cara Zimmerman, MD, MBA,

Chairperson, Project Weber/RENEW.

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