Bills of Congress May 26, 2025 by U.S. Congress

H.R.3614 - Fairness, Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Expungement for Incarcerated Firefighters Act; FIRE Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.3614, the FIRE Act, aims to improve the lives of incarcerated firefighters by extending labor and safety protections, and providing opportunities for expungement of records. The bill amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act to include incarcerated firefighters. It also incentivizes states to enact similar protections and establishes reentry programs.

Expected Effects

The bill will likely lead to safer working conditions and fairer wages for incarcerated firefighters. It will also provide them with better opportunities for employment after release through reentry programs and expungement of certain offenses. This could reduce recidivism and contribute to a more productive workforce.

Potential Benefits 4/5

- Improved safety standards and working conditions for incarcerated firefighters.
- Fairer wages for incarcerated firefighters, ensuring they are compensated for their labor.
- Opportunities for rehabilitation and reentry into society through job training and placement services.
- Expungement of certain offenses, removing barriers to employment and housing after release.
- Potential reduction in recidivism rates as a result of improved opportunities and support.

Most Benefited Areas:

Social Equity & Poverty Reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Justice System Fairness & Rule of Law ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Labor Rights & Worker Conditions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Potential Disadvantages

- Potential costs to states and the federal government for implementing and enforcing the new regulations and programs.
- Possible resistance from private entities that contract with public agencies to operate correctional facilities due to increased labor costs.
- Risk of unintended consequences, such as reduced availability of incarcerated firefighters for emergency response if costs become prohibitive.
- Complexity in administering the expungement process and ensuring consistent application across jurisdictions.
- Potential for abuse of the expungement process if not properly monitored and regulated.

Constitutional Alignment 4/5

The bill aligns with the Constitution by promoting the general welfare (Preamble) and ensuring equal protection under the law (14th Amendment). By providing fair labor standards and safety protections, the bill addresses potential exploitation of incarcerated individuals. The expungement provisions support rehabilitation and reintegration into society, aligning with principles of justice and fairness.