The Fair Hiring Opportunities for Public Employment (HOPE) Amendment Act of 2025 aims to improve employment prospects for returning citizens in the District of Columbia by establishing a ten-point hiring preference for graduates of qualifying transitional employment programs, such as Project Empowerment. The bill amends Title 6-B of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to ensure that job postings inform candidates about their eligibility for this preference. Additionally, the Department of Human Resources (DCHR) is tasked with annually identifying and communicating eligible programs to agency employers, thereby enhancing awareness and access to these opportunities.

The legislation also introduces a "Relevance Screen" to evaluate criminal histories in employment applications, ensuring that only relevant convictions are considered during the hiring process. Applicants will have the chance to respond to any derogatory information in their criminal history reports, and if deemed unsuitable, they will receive formal written notification detailing the reasons for the denial and the appeals process. The bill emphasizes transparency and fairness in hiring practices, requiring DCHR to submit a confidential report to the Council at the end of each Council period, which will include data on applicants deemed unsuitable due to criminal convictions. Furthermore, the bill defines "Returning Citizen" as individuals who have been incarcerated for a cumulative period of six months or more within the five years preceding their job application.