Search any bill in Congress.

The Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2026 aims to reduce barriers to college admission for individuals with criminal or juvenile justice histories by encouraging institutions to remove related questions from their admissions applications. Recognizing that millions of Americans have arrest or conviction records and that these records can hinder reentry into society, the bill seeks to improve educational opportunities for this population. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Justice and community stakeholders, will issue guidance and recommendations to colleges on how to handle criminal and juvenile justice information during admissions. This includes advising institutions to assess whether such questions are necessary and, if so, to delay asking about them until after admission decisions are made to avoid discouraging applicants. The bill also requires training for college staff on how to use this information fairly and protect applicant privacy. Additionally, the Department will establish a resource center to share best practices and research related to supporting students with justice system involvement. By promoting fairer admissions processes and targeted support, the bill aims to help formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals access higher education, which can improve their employment prospects and reduce recidivism.