CAREER Act of 2025
Latest action (10 Feb 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 500, the CAREER Act of 2025, would reauthorize and update two programs originally created under the 2018 SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act: a grant program funding treatment, recovery, and workforce-support services for people with substance use disorders, and a separate recovery housing pilot program. The bill extends funding authorization for these programs through fiscal year 2030, raises the annual authorized funding level for the workforce-support grants from $5 million to $12 million, and updates the statistical criteria—drug overdose death rates, unemployment rates, and labor force participation rates—used to target areas eligible for funding, shifting the reference years to 2018–2022. It also adds a provision allowing grant recipients to use up to 5% of funds for transportation to work, job training, or treatment services, and adds new reporting requirements on employment and earnings outcomes.
The bill primarily affects state and local entities that receive or apply for these federal grants, as well as individuals in recovery from substance use disorders who participate in the funded job training, employment, and housing services. It also affects federal agencies responsible for administering and reporting on the programs.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 10, 2025, by Senator McConnell with two cosponsors, and was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. According to the official Congressional Research Service summary, the bill's provisions have since been incorporated into other legislation that was enacted, so no further independent action on this specific bill is expected.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry Act of 2025 or the CAREER Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes and expands programs to assist individuals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce.
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAHMSA) Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Program, which provides employment training and recovery support services in coordination with state and local stakeholders. The bill further authorizes using 5% of such grant funds for transportation services and requires grantees to report on the employment and earnings outcomes of program participants.
The bill also reauthorizes through FY20230 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Recovery Housing Pilot Program, which assists states in providing individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder with stable, temporary housing for up to two years.
Common questions
- What does S. 500 do?
- S. 500, the CAREER Act of 2025, would reauthorize and update two programs originally created under the 2018 SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act: a grant program funding treatment, recovery, and workforce-support services for people with substance use disorders, and a separate recovery housing pilot program. The bill extends funding authorization for these programs through fiscal year 2030, raises the annual authorized funding level for the workforce-support grants from $5 million to $12 million, and updates the statistical criteria—drug overdose death rates, unemployment rates, and labor force participation rates—used to target areas eligible for funding, shifting the reference years to 2018–2022. It also adds a provision allowing grant recipients to use up to 5% of funds for transportation to work, job training, or treatment services, and adds new reporting requirements on employment and earnings outcomes. The bill primarily affects state and local entities that receive or apply for these federal grants, as well as individuals in recovery from substance use disorders who participate in the funded job training, employment, and housing services. It also affects federal agencies responsible for administering and reporting on the programs. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 10, 2025, by Senator McConnell with two cosponsors, and was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. According to the official Congressional Research Service summary, the bill's provisions have since been incorporated into other legislation that was enacted, so no further independent action on this specific bill is expected.
- Has S. 500 become law?
- Not yet. As of 10 Feb 2025, S. 500 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 500?
- S. 500 was sponsored by Sen. Mitch McConnell [R-KY] (Republican-KY), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 500?
- Introduced (10 Feb 2025).
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