The Helping Incentivize Returning Citizen Employment (HIRE) Amendment Act of 2025 aims to enhance employment opportunities for returning citizens by establishing a tax incentive 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 minimum probationary period of 90 days. The program is designed to reduce barriers to employment for returning citizens, who often face high unemployment rates due to stigma and systemic challenges. The Department of Employment Services will oversee the program, ensuring compliance and managing reimbursements.

The bill also includes provisions for defining qualifying employees and employers, as well as the criteria for the positions eligible for the tax credit. A "Qualifying Employee" is defined as a District resident who has been incarcerated for at least six months within the past five years and has continuously resided in the District since their release. The legislation emphasizes the importance of employment in reducing recidivism and promoting economic mobility, drawing on successful models from other jurisdictions. By incentivizing businesses to hire returning citizens, the HIRE Amendment Act seeks to foster a more inclusive workforce and strengthen the local economy.