Bill Text (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)
Washington (April 28, 2025) - Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) today announced the introduction of the New Start Act of 2025, legislation that would establish a five-year pilot program within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to award grants of $100,000 to $500,000 to organizations annually to provide entrepreneurial development training to currently or formerly incarcerated individuals. The legislation is being introduced during Second Chance Month, which recognizes the important role of individuals, communities, and agencies across the country in supporting the safe and successful reentry of people returning home or returning to their communities from jails and prisons each year.
“Individuals who are currently or formerly incarcerated deserve to be able to participate fully in society and not be locked out of the labor market. This legislation would help decrease barriers to entry for these individuals who either wish to become an entrepreneur or must strike out on their own due to labor market discrimination, by providing economic stability, opportunity, and investment through the Small Business Administration,” said Ranking Member Markey. “Everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their lives, and this legislation would help provide the funding and resources necessary for currently or formerly incarcerated individuals to do just that.”
“Starting a small business can be transformational for formerly incarcerated people, and can be a pathway to overcome the barriers in an economy that is not built for them, through higher quality jobs, increased wages, and meaningful job experience,” said Senator Booker. “The New Start Act is legislation that invests in the futures of currently and formerly incarcerated people by providing training and resources to those want to become entrepreneurs and start their own business. Everyone deserves a second chance, and this bill allows individuals exiting prison to shape a new future for themselves, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and break the cycle of recidivism.”
“As JustLeadershipUSA amplifies #SecondChancesInAction this April, we are reminded of the urgent need for the resources this legislation would provide. The economic impact of a conviction history—and the permanent punishments it creates—must be addressed head on through an investment in opportunity as our neighbors return to our society. This is a central part of our 2025-2029 Roadmap for national policy and criminal justice reform. The New Start Act represents one of these crucial investments. We are proud to endorse this legislation and urge the full committee and Senate to immediately move this bill forward,” said Ronald Simpson-Bey, Executive Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships at JustLeadershipUSA.
“The National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) proudly supports the New Start Act, which recognizes the power of entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic mobility for formerly incarcerated individuals,” said Chiling Tong, President & CEO of National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE). “By investing in community-based organizations and SBA partners that understand the unique barriers faced by returning citizens, this legislation opens new doors for innovation, self-sufficiency, and second chances. We commend Senator Markey for his introduction of this bill, and his attention to this important issue. Our communities are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed—and that starts with equal access to small business ownership.”
“Too often, formerly incarcerated individuals face high rates of unemployment, financial instability, and recidivism. The New Start Act of 2025 takes vital steps to remove barriers to self-employment and entrepreneurial success for those with prior convictions. The Chamber is proud to support a bill that will help create a brighter future for many,” said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs at U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“Nearly one-fifth of Black men in America will face incarceration at some point in their lives. That’s not just a statistic — it’s a call to action. The New Start Act answers that call by investing in entrepreneurial training for those who are incarcerated, helping ensure that when they return home, they return with purpose. By empowering returning citizens to become business owners and job creators, we not only reduce recidivism — we build stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger economy. USBC proudly supports this effort to make reentry about opportunity, not just survival,” said Ron Busby, Sr., President & CEO at U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
“Entrepreneurship is a viable and productive path forward for so many Americans — including those reentering society after incarceration. SCORE believes in the power of second chances, personal responsibility, and economic independence. As the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors, we’re here to support anyone who dreams of starting or growing a small business through expert mentoring, live workshops, and 24/7 on-demand resources. Supporting entrepreneurship among formerly incarcerated people provides meaningful employment, reduces recidivism, and builds safer, more self-reliant communities,” said Bridget Weston, CEO of SCORE.
“We strongly believe that just because someone has a criminal record doesn't mean they should automatically be prohibited from realizing the American Dream," said Small Business Majority Founder & CEO John Arensmeyer. "That's why we're pleased Sen. Markey has reintroduced the New Start Act to help support justice-impacted individuals looking to launch their own businesses. Boosting entrepreneurial development programs for those who are justice-impacted will help more people, especially those who are often shut out of the labor market, create their own jobs by starting small businesses, which will benefit our economy as a whole.”
“The New Start Act puts new resources behind second chances for justice-impacted Americans. By supporting entrepreneurship training, this legislation opens the door further for people to turn their ideas into income and to rise above the discrimination they face in the job market. We endorse the New Start Act because everyone deserves the opportunity to build a future,” said Brian Hamilton, Founder of Inmates to Entrepreneurs.
“This timely legislation will catalyze critical support for justice-impacted individuals by providing resources and training to help them pursue entrepreneurship as a means to economic reintegration and self-sufficiency," said Natalie Cofield, President and CEO of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity. “We commend the committee for championing this important issue and urge swift passage of the New Start Act of 2025. Together, we can unlock the power of entrepreneurship to restore dignity, reduce recidivism, and foster economic mobility for returning citizens.”
“So many people in our prison system are natural entrepreneurs—resourceful, resilient, and full of ideas. Through our Dream Entrepreneurs Network, we’ve helped people who are formerly incarcerated grow innovative businesses that they created. We also work with America’s largest community of formerly incarcerated advocates and allies with our Empathy Network, helping them build people power for the issues that impact their communities the most. The New Start Act recognizes the untapped potential in the people of America and is the right kind of investment that can turn entrepreneurial spirits into real opportunities. This is how we break cycles and build futures,” said Kandia Milton, Government Affairs Director at Dream.Org.
“Countless entrepreneurs pursued the startup path or business ownership as a second-chance option following financial or personal setback, and our economy is more vibrant and competitive as a result of that determination. The New Start Act builds on this affirmative blueprint. It is a catalyst to encourage more startups and small businesses, and a solution that will reduce recidivism. Opening the doors to entrepreneurship via this legislation is an opportunity to tap into latent talent that will create businesses into sectors of the economy where there are needed gaps. The New Start Act will provide meaningful change for individuals, and will support local economies and U.S. economic growth,” said Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO of Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.
“People exiting prison face tens of thousands of barriers to economic advancement, including limits on access to the resources needed to start a small business. Rather than discouraging the ambitions of these would-be entrepreneurs, we should be incentivizing them to build their own businesses. We applaud the New Start Act for supporting people exiting prison and those still incarcerated, most of whom will one day return home to our communities,” said Lucretia Murphy, Vice President of Center for Justice and Economic Advancement at Jobs for the Future.
“Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) supports Senator Markey’s effort to establish a Small Business Administration (SBA) pilot program that invests in entrepreneurial development for formerly and currently incarcerated individuals. This bill acknowledges that returning citizens—especially women—are not short on ambition, ideas, or potential. What they often lack are the tools, mentorship, and access to capital to turn their business ideas into reality. By creating a pilot program that empowers mission-driven lenders, Women’s Business Centers, and community-based organizations to deliver entrepreneurial training and support, this bill provides a foundation for success. This legislation is a vital step toward building an economy that recognizes the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives, reduce recidivism, and strengthen communities,” said Angela Dingle, President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy.
"Entrepreneurship is a way for those with barriers to employment to create their own jobs. To be successful, business owners can tap into the wealth of mission-driven training and lending resources that are in their communities and supported by the Small Business Administration, such as Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers. For returning citizens and incarcerated individuals, these programs offer a support system that can guide them toward that success and on the road to reintegration into society," said Carolina Martinez, CEO of CAMEO Network.
“The New Start Act is a pivotal investment in second chances. It provides currently and formerly incarcerated individuals with the training and support to become successful entrepreneurs—transforming lives and strengthening communities. With 13 Entrepreneurship Centers serving thousands annually, the National Urban League recognizes the transformative power of initiatives like the New Start Act to advance equity, expand opportunity, and build a more just and inclusive economy. We proudly support this legislation as a bold step toward reducing recidivism and unlocking the untapped potential of underserved communities," said Marc Morial, President and CEO of National Urban League.
The legislation is also endorsed by: Brennan Center for Justice, the Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunity, America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), Friends of the Microloan Program, From the Block to the Boardroom, Mission Launch, Defy Ventures, A Little Piece of Light, Corporation for Supportive Housing, EX-incarcerated People Organizing, Fabian Consulting Inc, FREE Arizona, Future Stars of Tomorrow, Greater Cleveland Distribution Initiative, Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, Just Us Solutions, Justice Support Group, Last Prisoner Project, Minnesota Wrongfully Convicted Judicial Reform, Operation Restoration, Productive Offenders of Society Foundation, ReNforce, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, Restored Citizen’s FAITH Foundation, Super High Opportunity Turnout Solutions and Strategies, The First 72+, The REACH Initiative, Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope, United Men of Color, and Stereotypeme.
