; Whereas an individual with a criminal record often has a lower level of educational attainment than the general population and has significant difficulty acquiring admission to, and funding for, educational programs; Whereas an individual who has been convicted of certain crimes is often barred from receiving the financial aid necessary to acquire additional skills and knowledge; Whereas an individual with a criminal record— (1) faces collateral consequences in securing a place to live; and (2) is often barred from seeking access to public housing; Whereas collateral consequences prevent millions of individuals in the United States from contributing fully to their families and communities; Whereas collateral consequences can contribute to recidivism, which increases crime and victimization and decreases public safety; Whereas collateral consequences have particularly impacted underserved communities of color and community rates of employment, housing stability, and recidivism; Whereas the inability to find gainful employment and other collateral consequences inhibit the economic mobility of an individual with a criminal record, which can negatively impact the well-being of the children and family of the individual for generations; Whereas the bipartisan First Step Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–391 ; 132 Stat. 5194) was signed into law on December 21, 2018, to increase opportunities for individuals incarcerated in Federal prisons to participate in meaningful recidivism reduction programs and prepare for their second chances; Whereas the programs authorized by the Second Chance Act of 2007 ( Public Law 110–199 ; 122 Stat. 657)— (1) have provided reentry services to more than 164,000 individuals in 49 States and the District of Columbia since the date of enactment of the Act; and (2) were reauthorized by the First Step Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–391 ; 132 Stat. 5194)