The Helping Incentivize Returning Citizen Employment (HIRE) Amendment Act of 2025 aims to enhance employment opportunities for returning citizens by establishing a tax credit program for businesses that hire formerly incarcerated individuals. Under this legislation, employers will receive a $5,000 annual tax credit for each returning citizen they employ in a full-time position, provided the employee has completed a 90-day probationary period. The program is designed to reduce barriers to employment for returning citizens, who face disproportionately high unemployment rates, particularly among Black individuals. The bill also mandates that qualifying employers sign a Re-entry Employment Incentive Agreement, which outlines eligibility terms and must be resubmitted annually.

The Act includes provisions for oversight by the Department of Employment Services, which will manage compliance and reimbursements. It defines "Qualifying Employees" and "Qualifying Employers," ensuring that the tax credits are directed towards businesses that meet specific criteria, including compliance with local laws and the employment of individuals who have been incarcerated for a significant period. The legislation is modeled after successful reentry hiring programs in other jurisdictions, aiming to promote economic mobility, reduce recidivism, and strengthen the local economy by providing sustainable employment pathways for justice-impacted individuals.