Below is legislation that may have a dramatic outcome on the criminal justice system and we believe it is worth tracking.

Federal

H.R. 662 - Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act

To permit expungement of records of certain nonviolent criminal offenses.

Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 2/8/2005)

H.R. 663 - Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act

To secure the Federal voting rights of certain qualified ex-offenders who have served their sentences.

Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 2/8/2005)

H.R. 1704 - Second Chance Act

To reauthorize the grant program of the Department of Justice for reentry of offenders into the community, to establish a task force on Federal programs and activities relating to the reentry of offenders into the community, and for other purposes..

Sponsor: Rep Portman, Rob [OH-2] (introduced 4/19/2005)

H.R. 3072

To revive the system of parole for Federal prisoners, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] (introduced 6/27/2005)

H.R. 3602 - Literacy, Education, and Rehabilitation Act

To amend title 18, United States Code, to award credit toward the service of a sentence to prisoners who participate in designated educational, vocational, treatment, assigned work, or other developmental programs, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Scott, Robert C. [VA-3] (introduced 7/28/2005)