New legislation making its way through the U.S. Congress aims to streamline the process of obtaining Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) for individuals returning home from incarceration. The bipartisan legislation, the TWIC Efficiency (TWICE) Act (HR5109), was reintroduced September 12 by Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), with the support of Greater New Orleans (GNO), Inc., the nonprofit Louisiana economic development organization.

“Louisiana historically has one of the highest per capita incarceration rates in the U.S. and the free world,” says Michael Hecht, president and CEO of GNO, Inc. “That’s a problem in itself for many reasons, but these individuals are coming back into the general population, once they’ve served their time, and we want to reduce recidivism by giving them gainful employment. Otherwise, it’s expensive and bad for everyone.”

Nearly 30% of American adults have a criminal record, and having even a minor criminal record, such as a misdemeanor or even an arrest without conviction, can create an array of lifelong barriers that stand in the way of successful re-entry into the workforce, according to TheSentencingProject.org. Just in Louisiana, about 13,000 formerly incarcerated persons are released back into communities each year.

Hecht says GNO, Inc. is throwing its weight behind the bill for a more practical reason, too. “We are in the midst of an unprecedented maritime and industrial boom in Louisiana. So there’s a massive workforce need, and the impetus is to turn over every stone to find qualified and capable workers,” Hecht says, pointing to the new Louisiana International Terminal on the horizon, as well as any number of fracking and energy projects that will boost the need for transportation workers.

The TWIC credentials are essential for workers accessing secure areas of ports, refineries and shipyards, many of whom are truck drivers or logistics personnel. However, justice-impacted individuals often face long delays and expensive red tape in the TWIC process, despite being job-ready and trained. The TWIC program was created by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 as a response to the September 11 attacks, and extenuating concern over national security. The TWICE Act does not change the criteria needed for TWIC cards, nor does it change any of the criteria that would prevent an individual from receiving this certification. Instead, it directs TSA to be proactive in assisting returning citizens through the bureaucratic process.

The bill is currently awaiting a markup in House Homeland Security Committee, but simultaneously GNO, Inc. made a push in October for it to be included in Chairman Garbarino’s TSA Reauthorization Package, which Hecht says is a more promising pathway through the legislative process.

Hecht has a third reason for backing the bill, which he says is more esoteric. 

“I like that the two sponsors don’t typically go to the same parties, so to see these two coming together and finding common ground is a great model for the rest of the country to see," he explained. "It’s sound bipartisan legislation. That’s better for democracy.”