Bell Introduces BRIDGE Act to Expand Pathways to Economic Mobility and Employment for Justice-Impacted Individuals and Opportunity Youth

Washington, D.C.- Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the Building Reentry and Inclusive Development for Greater Employment (BRIDGE) Act, to strengthen the workforce by expanding pathways to economic mobility and employment for justice-impacted individuals and opportunity youth, two groups that have long faced significant barriers to entering the workforce.

"A bad situation should not define a person's entire story. I support expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include justice-impacted individuals and opportunity youth because people deserve a chance to make a better life for themselves," said Rep. Bell. "Our workforce is only as strong as the resources we put into it. Let's uplift our community members, invest in our workforce, and see the good it brings to the economy."

"Our team is particularly encouraged to see the focus on Opportunity Youth-those young people who, despite being disconnected from school or work, possess incredible potential. Far too often, those impacted by the criminal justice system are left out of the conversation. This bill changes that," said Phillip Robinson, CEO of the Forum for Youth Investment."By expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, we are creating real pathways to job training and meaningful employment. Our mission is to ensure that every young person has the support they need to reach their fullest potential in education, work, and life. We look forward to this work and to ensuring no one is left behind."

"The BRIDGE Act will make impactful adjustments to the Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit and better serve individuals returning home from incarceration. This legislation will create stronger pathways for justice-impacted jobseekers, disrupting cycles of incarceration and supporting self-sufficiency and economic mobility," said Sam Schaeffer, CEO of the Center for Employment Opportunities. "CEO strongly supports these steps to promote fair-chance hiring and make the Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit a more impactful tool for justice-impacted jobseekers."

"Opportunity youth, young people not currently connected to school or work, are hardworking, driven, and eager to contribute. For employers, they represent an untapped pool of talent ready to succeed and grow within their organizations," said Dr. Mary Ann (Mimi) Haley, Executive Director of the National Youth Employment Coalition. "The National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) is grateful to Congressman Bell for introducing the BRIDGE Act, which would create meaningful incentives for employers to hire opportunity youth and invest in their potential. NYEC stands ready to support the BRIDGE Act and other initiatives aimed at eliminating youth disconnection."

The BRIDGE Act will extend eligibility under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to previously excluded groups, including individuals facing barriers to employment because of a criminal record and individuals who were incarcerated, placed on probation, or institutionalized for at least 90 days. The legislation also extends WOTC to out of school youth ages 16-24, homeless individuals ages 16-24, and individuals in foster care or who have aged out of the foster care system.

The WOTC has historically incentivized employers to hire individuals from targeted groups that face obstacles to employment, including veterans, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, among others. The BRIDGE Actwill reinstate and expand the WOTC, creating meaningful avenues to employment.

Read the full bill text here.