RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF PROJECT NEW START IN SUPPORTING SUCCESSFUL REENTRY FOR JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS IN DELAWARE.

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Romer
Last action: 2025-05-20
Official status: Passed 5/20/25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Recognizing the Work of Project New Start in Delaware

This resolution officially praises a nonprofit called Project New Start for helping people who were in prison return to society and urges lawmakers to keep supporting it.

What This Bill Does

Commends Project New Start for its work on criminal justice reform, reentry support, and community empowerment.
Notes that the program offers a 10-week course with job training and certifications like Forklift, OSHA, and ServSafe.
States that the program has helped graduates find jobs and stay out of prison, saving the state money by reducing reincarceration costs.
Urges lawmakers to continue giving financial and legislative support to this group and similar programs.

Who It Names or Affects

Project New Start, a Delaware nonprofit organization.
Individuals who have been in jail or prison and are returning to the community.
The General Assembly of Delaware regarding future funding decisions for reentry programs.

Terms To Know

Reentry: The process of helping people return to society after being in prison or jail.
Recidivism: When a person who was released from prison commits another crime and goes back to prison.
House Concurrent Resolution: A formal statement passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate that expresses an opinion but does not create new laws or spend money directly.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution is a statement of support and does not automatically provide specific funding amounts.
The text lists past results for Project New Start but does not guarantee future outcomes for participants.
No effective date or new legal requirements are included in this document.

Bill History

2025-05-20 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in House
2025-05-20 Delaware General Assembly
Passed In House by Voice Vote
2025-05-20 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT

Official Summary Text

RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF PROJECT NEW START IN SUPPORTING SUCCESSFUL REENTRY FOR JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS IN DELAWARE.
This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes and commends Project New Start for its invaluable contributions to criminal justice reform, reentry support, and community empowerment. It also urges continued legislative and financial support for Project New Start and similar evidence-based reentry programs as critical tools for building safer, more equitable communities.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Romer & Sen. Townsend

Reps. Cooke, Gorman, Morrison, Osienski, Phillips, Kamela Smith, Yearick; Sens. Cruce, Sokola

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58

RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF PROJECT NEW START IN SUPPORTING SUCCESSFUL REENTRY FOR JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Project New Start, established in 2013, is a Delaware-based nonprofit committed to reducing recidivism and promoting public safety by providing comprehensive reentry support to individuals transitioning from incarceration; and

WHEREAS, the New Start Reentry Program offers a 10-week, 325-hour curriculum focused on evidence-based cognitive behavioral change, workforce readiness, and certifications such as Forklift, OSHA, and ServSafe; and

WHEREAS, the program has enrolled 214 justice-involved individuals, graduating 214 participants with 83% of graduates securing employment and 78% remaining conviction-free three years post-release; and

WHEREAS, Project New Start has saved the State of Delaware an estimated $3 million annually by reducing reincarceration, based on the average cost of $36,000 per year to incarcerate an individual; and

WHEREAS, participant demographics highlight the systemic challenges faced:

80% identify as African American, 16% as Hispanic, and 4% as Caucasian;

85% are male and 15% female;

95% have a poor work history;

51% lack a high school diploma or GED; and

The majority live in transient housing, with 100% of participants residing in New Castle County and 60% from Wilmington ZIP codes 19801, 19802, and 19805; and

WHEREAS, Project New Start provides wraparound services including daily meals, transportation stipends, and intensive case management, ensuring participants receive the support necessary to transition into stable, productive lives; and

WHEREAS, the program’s impact is further bolstered by strong partnerships with employers, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders, and its relocation to the Widener University Delaware Law School campus has further expanded its reach.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the 153

rd

General Assembly hereby recognizes and commends Project New Start for its invaluable contributions to criminal justice reform, reentry support, and community empowerment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly urges continued legislative and financial support for Project New Start and similar evidence-based reentry programs as critical tools for building safer, more equitable communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution is presented to Project New Start in recognition of its outstanding service to the people of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes and commends Project New Start for its invaluable contributions to criminal justice reform, reentry support, and community empowerment. It also urges continued legislative and financial support for Project New Start and similar evidence-based reentry programs as critical tools for building safer, more equitable communities.