Bill
SB 1031
Expands and funds local reentry councils to provide housing support, rental assistance, transportation, and education navigation for justice-involved individuals to improve workfor
Title: Returning Citizens Ready to Work
Purpose (Goal)
- To expand and fund statewide local reentry council services aimed at helping individuals with criminal records reenter the workforce and community. The bill focuses on housing, transportation, education navigation, and professional development to support justice-involved individuals.
Key Provisions and Changes
1) Housing Support Staff Funding
- Section 1: Appropriates $2,261,000 in recurring General Fund monies starting in FY 2026‑2027.
- Allocation: Funds are divided equally among the 17 local reentry councils.
- Use: Hire one permanent full-time Housing Support Specialist at each local council, plus one permanent full-time Support Specialist at each council.
2) Reentry Rental Assistance
- Section 2: Appropriates $3,825,000 in recurring General Fund monies starting in FY 2026‑2027.
- Allocation: Funds divided equally among the 17 local reentry councils.
- Use: Provide reentry rental assistance to individuals served by each council.
- Conditions: Funds do not revert and remain available until expended.
3) Transportation Vouchers
- Section 3: Appropriates $867,000 in recurring General Fund monies starting in FY 2026‑2027.
- Allocation: Funds divided equally among the 17 local reentry councils.
- Use: Provide transportation vouchers to individuals on post-release supervision served by each council.
- Conditions: Funds do not revert and remain available until expended.
4) Reentry Education Navigator Positions
- Section 4: Appropriates $140,000 in recurring General Fund monies starting in FY 2026‑2027.
- Use: Contract with Central Piedmont Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College to hire one full-time Reentry Education Navigator at each college to serve justice-involved students.
5) State Reentry Council Collaborative–Professional Development
- Section 5: Allocates $25,000 in nonrecurring funds for FY 2026‑2027.
- Use: Develop online professional development modules aimed at educating State agencies, educational institutions, and other nongovernmental stakeholders on how best to serve individuals with criminal records.
Effective Date
- Section 6: This act becomes effective July 1, 2026.
Authority and Administration
- Administered by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (for purposes of funding and program implementation) with coordination across the 17 local reentry councils.
Potential Impact
Budget Snapshot (Recurring Funds)
- Housing Support Specialists: $2,261,000 total
- Reentry Rental Assistance: $3,825,000 total
- Transportation Vouchers: $867,000 total
- Reentry Education Navigators: $140,000 total
- Total recurring appropriation ( Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 ): $6,093,000 annually starting FY 2026‑2027
- Nonrecurring (Section 5): $25,000 one-time for FY 2026‑2027
Who Is Affected
- Local reentry councils (17 statewide) and the individuals they serve (justice-involved individuals, including those on post-release supervision).
- Postsecondary institutions (Central Piedmont Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College) through the Reentry Education Navigator positions.
- State agencies and nongovernmental stakeholders participating in the State Reentry Council Collaborative.
Notes
- The bill emphasizes ongoing funding (nonreverting in two sections) to sustain housing, rental assistance, and transportation supports.
- Implementation is contingent on appropriation and operational guidelines established by the Department of Adult Correction and the local councils.
Effective date and status
- Filed April 30, 2026; Senate Bill 1031 establishes ongoing fiscal year 2026‑2027 programs and positions, with a July 1, 2026 effective date.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
