BRIDGE Act

The Building Reentry and Inclusive Development for Greater Employment (BRIDGE) Act aims to improve job prospects for individuals who traditionally face significant obstacles to entering the workforce. The bill proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend and expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a federal tax credit currently available to employers who hire from specific groups, such as veterans and recipients of certain government assistance.

If enacted, the bill would broaden WOTC eligibility to include "justice-impacted" individuals, such as those with criminal records or those who have been incarcerated, on probation, or institutionalized for at least 90 days. It also seeks to include "opportunity youth," defined as out-of-school or homeless individuals between the ages of 16 and 24, as well as those who are in or have aged out of the foster care system.

For everyday citizens, this legislation would provide financial incentives for businesses to adopt "fair-chance" hiring practices. By making it more affordable for employers to hire and train individuals from these groups, the bill aims to support economic mobility, reduce recidivism, and help young people who are disconnected from school and work find stable employment pathways.