DEMO Act

HR 5372, the DEMO Act, creates federal grants to fund 3-year demonstration projects helping low-income individuals (under 138% of the federal poverty level) with arrest or conviction records enter health professions careers. The bill requires participating states to have policies allowing health credentials despite records and mandates projects to provide legal assistance, job training, and post-employment support. Grants require applicants to demonstrate partnerships with organizations experienced in supporting people with criminal records and to target high-demand, well-paying health jobs. The legislation appropriates $10 million for fiscal year 2026 and mandates evaluations to measure outcomes like credential attainment and job placement.