The post is in response to a caller seeking information about the Second Chance
Bill and a petition. The National NAACP is hosting a petition for President George Bush to sign the bill. Find the petition by clicking here.
I hope the information below anwsers many of your questions. If any other readers have any additonal information please leave information in the comment box.
The Second Chance Act of 2007 - was introduced in the 110th Congress on 20 March 2007as H.R. 1593. Just a week after the re-introduction of the bill, 28 March 2007, members of the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1593 out of committee. During the mark-up of the bill, members voted down several amendments that would have jeopardized the bipartisan support for the bill.
Sen. Bidden introduced S. 1060, an identical bill, in the Senate on 29 March 2007. On 02 August 2007 the Senate Judiciary Committee passed out the Second Chance Act. Unanimously. The Second Chance Act passed in the Senate, late Tuesday night (11 March 2008) and awaits the signature of President Bush before it can become law. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 347 to 62 to pass the Second Chance Act on 13 November 2007. The bipartisan bill was passed by voice vote, last night, after the Senate adopted a concurrent resolution (H Con Res 270) that made minor changes to the Second Chance Act, including limiting the federal share of project costs for some reentry programs.
The cost of the Second Chance Act is discussed here The bill is waiting on President Bush Signature as of March 11, 2008. According to one of the sponsors of the bill, Danny K. Davis," The Second Chance Act will provide transitional assistance to assist ex-offenders in coping with the challenges of reentry. It will reduce recidivism. It will help reunite families and protect communities. It will enhance public safety and save taxpayer dollars. It is the humane thing to do. It is the responsible thing to do. It is the right thing to do."
The bill has been in a legislative hold since 2005 and was lifted early March 2008. Check out Fedcure to educate yourself about the federal system on nonviolent crimes.
Now that this is going to the President to sign. What is next? Do they know what inmates are going to be part of this and do they have enough 1/2 way houses or anklettes? I hope so. I hope it does not take another year to get this in place and go into effect
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