[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3918 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3918
To establish programs to improve family economic security by breaking
the cycle of multigenerational poverty, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 24, 2022
Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Ms. Collins) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish programs to improve family economic security by breaking
the cycle of multigenerational poverty, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Two-Generation
Economic Empowerment Act of 2022''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings; purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC MOBILITY
Sec. 101. Interagency Council on Economic Mobility.
Sec. 102. Information displayed on Council website.
Sec. 103. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--2-GENERATION PROGRAM
Sec. 201. Programs.
Sec. 202. General provisions.
TITLE III--PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM
Sec. 301. Definitions.
Sec. 302. Performance partnership pilots.
Sec. 303. Reporting; evaluations.
Sec. 304. Applicability to existing performance partnership pilots.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Almost half, or 40 percent, of children in the United
States are from low-income families, and at least 60 percent of
Black, Hispanic, and Native American children live in low-
income families.
(2) Individuals caught in multigenerational poverty tend to
lack the support needed to move beyond day-to-day situations,
make long-term financial plans, and support the community
around them.
(3) Twenty-five percent of children in the United States
live in single-caregiver households, and 69 percent of children
who live in such households are from low-income families.
(4) Many of the services and systems that are intended to
help low-income families are fragmented, with approaches that
address the needs of caregivers and children separately. These
fragmented approaches often leave either the caregiver or the
child behind and dim the family's chance at success.
(5) In 2015, the Department of Agriculture estimated that
more than 9,200,000 individuals in the United States are from
low-income families that reside more than 1 mile from a
supermarket, and 2,100,000 of such individuals do not have
access to a car.
(6) Healthy communities have a variety of components,
including--
(A) safe, sustainable, accessible, and affordable
transportation options that enable--
(i) children to commute to and from school
safely; and
(ii) caregivers to seek work outside of
their community;
(B) housing that is affordable, high-quality,
socially integrated, and location-efficient;
(C) access to quality schools, parks and other
recreational facilities, child care, libraries,
financial services, and resources for other daily
needs; and
(D) support for healthy behavioral development of
children and adolescents.
(7) Economic research demonstrates--
(A) a 13-percent return on investment in high-
quality early childhood programs for a child for each
year of the child's life; and
(B) that a college degree obtained by a caregiver
is expected to double the caregiver's income.
(8) For families who have an annual income of $25,000, or
less, and have young children, a $3,000 increase in such annual
income during the years of early childhood for such children
yields a 17-percent increase in earnings for those children
when those children become adults.
(9) A successful 2-generation program will--
(A) improve family economic security by creating
opportunities for, and addressing the needs of,
caregivers and children simultaneously, which can be
measured in outcomes for both caregivers and children;
(B) seek the input of caregivers who are served by
the program and ensure their perspectives and
experience inform the design of the program;
(C) break the cycle of multigenerational poverty
and create a cycle of family prosperity; and
(D) foster and develop healthy communities.
(10) The return on investment in education for children and
their caregivers is high. Early childhood education programs
help children develop new skills and prepare them for grade
school. A caregiver's level of educational attainment is the
best predictor of a child's success. Higher education opens the
door to a stable career with a family-sustaining wage,
providing opportunities for families to break the cycle of
multigenerational poverty.
(11) Work-family supports (such as paid family leave and
access to high-quality child care), and economic supports (such
as affordable housing, transportation, financial education and
asset-building, tax credits, child care subsidies, student
financial aid, health insurance, assistance under the temporary
assistance for needy families program under part A of title IV
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and food
assistance), that encourage, support, and reward work provide a
scaffold as caregivers pursue the skill-building activities and
education that lead to better jobs and longer-term financial
stability.
(12) Postsecondary education, such as community college
associate degrees and credentials, and employment pathways,
such as workforce development training and workforce
partnerships, can build skills leading to high-demand jobs and
opportunities for advancement that increase employment rates
and income for caregivers.
(13) Social capital is a key success factor of the 2-
generation approach and builds on the strength and resilience
of families, bolstering the aspirations caregivers have for
their children and for themselves. For individuals living in
certain regions, the lack of community development contributes
to a lack of economic mobility and a lack of multigenerational
success.
(14) Physical and mental health have a major impact on the
ability of a family to thrive. There is a well-documented
correlation between poor health and poor family finances, with
poor health causing poor family finances and poor family
finances causing poor health. Improved physical health and
health behaviors are associated with higher scores on
standardized tests. There is a link between mothers providing a
higher level of emotional support and positive outcomes in
children, such as children demonstrating an improved social
competence and engagement in schooling. Meanwhile, social
isolation of children is associated with a higher rate of abuse
and neglect of children.
(15) All of the 50 several States and the District of
Columbia have actively mobilized around 2-generation
approaches, which link and align social services, education,
and job training to address the needs of 2 generations at the
same time and give families the tools they need to succeed.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to improve family economic
security by breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty, and to
create a cycle of family prosperity, including through developing 2-
generation programs that involve initiatives of the Federal Government,
States, local governments, and Tribal governments and initiatives of
the private sector.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 2-generation approach.--The term ``2-generation
approach'' means the approach to breaking the cycle of
multigenerational poverty by improving family economic security
through the implementation of programs, with measurable
outcomes, that create opportunities for, and address the needs
of, caregivers and children simultaneously. Such approach may
include intentional coordination between separate programs for
adults and for children, such as a Head Start program carried
out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).
(2) 2-generation program.--The term ``2-generation
program'' means--
(A) a program established under section 201(a); or
(B) any other program that takes the 2-generation
approach, including the Head Start program under the
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), the maternal,
infant, and early childhood home visiting program under
section 511 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 711),
and other such programs carried out by Federal, State,
local, Tribal, or private nonprofit entities.
(3) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given such
term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Caregiver.--The term ``caregiver'' means an individual,
such as a parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, grandparent,
other relative, or guardian, raising a child.
(5) Council agency.--The term ``Council agency'' means an
agency listed in section 101(c)(1)(A) or included under section
101(c)(3)(A)(ii).
(6) Discretionary appropriations.--The term ``discretionary
appropriations'' has the meaning given such term in section
250(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900(c)).
(7) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(8) Multigenerational poverty.--The term
``multigenerational poverty'' means pervasive poverty
transferred from caregivers to their children through
structural and systematic factors.
(9) School readiness.--The term ``school readiness'' means
the development of--
(A) physical well-being and motor skills;
(B) social and emotional skills;
(C) approaches to learning;
(D) language skills (including early literacy and
early numeracy); and
(E) cognition and general knowledge.
(10) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and each
commonwealth or territory of the United States.
(11) Vulnerable population.--The term ``vulnerable
population'' means a population consisting of individuals who,
as determined by the applicable lead agency under section
202(a)--
(A) are economically disadvantaged;
(B) are historically underrepresented, such as
racial or ethnic minorities;
(C) are low-income children;
(D) are elderly;
(E) are homeless;
(F) are reentering a community after incarceration;
(G) are individuals with a disability, as defined
in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102);
(H) are veterans, as defined in section 101 of
title 38, United States Code;
(I) are infected with the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV); or
(J) have any other chronic health condition,
including a severe mental illness or substance use
disorder.
TITLE I--INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC MOBILITY
SEC. 101. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC MOBILITY.
(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Federal
Government an interagency council to be known as the ``Interagency
Council on Economic Mobility'' (referred to in this Act as the
``Council'') to carry out the objectives under subsection (b) and the
2-generation approach, including by providing guidance and technical
assistance and addressing questions pertaining to 2-generation programs
and other programs engaging in efforts to break the cycle of
multigenerational poverty.
(b) Objectives.--The objectives of the Council are each of the
following:
(1) Establish an accountable and effective structure for
interagency collaboration, and using Federal authorities, to
promote family-sustaining careers and economic mobility for
low-income people of the United States.
(2) Establish an ongoing system of coordination among and
within agencies or organizations related to programs aimed at
breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty.
(3) Identify knowledge gaps, research needs, and policy and
program deficiencies associated with multigenerational poverty.
(4) Identify best practices of programs, including 2-
generation programs, and methodologies to break the cycle of
multigenerational poverty.
(c) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--
(A) In general.--The Council shall be composed of
at least 1 designee from each of the following:
(i) The Office of Management and Budget.
(ii) The Bureau of Indian Affairs.
(iii) The Department of Agriculture.
(iv) The Department of Education.
(v) The Department of Health and Human
Services.
(vi) The Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
(vii) The Department of Justice.
(viii) The Department of Labor.
(ix) The Department of Transportation.
(x) The Department of the Treasury.
(xi) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
(xii) The Corporation for National and
Community Service.
(xiii) The Domestic Policy Council.
(xiv) The National Economic Council.
(xv) The White House Office of Faith-Based
and Neighborhood Partnerships, established by
Executive Order 14015 (86 Fed. Reg. 10007;
relating to the establishment of a White House
Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood
Partnerships).
(xvi) The Council on Economic Advisors.
(xvii) The Social Security Administration.
(B) Core membership.--From the designees under
subparagraph (A), the Council shall have a core set of
Council members to carry out a greater portion of the
duties under subsection (d), including coordination of
programs. Such core set of Council members shall be
composed of each designee from the following:
(i) The Department of Agriculture.
(ii) The Department of Education.
(iii) The Department of Health and Human
Services.
(iv) The Department of Housing and Urban
and Development.
(v) The Department of Justice.
(vi) The Department of Labor.
(2) Designation.--
(A) In general.--The head of each Council agency
shall designate at least 1 employee described in
subparagraph (B) of such agency to serve as a member of
the Council.
(B) Responsibilities.--An employee described in
this subparagraph shall be a senior employee of the
agency whose responsibilities relate to policies,
procedures, and economics with respect to family well-
being.
(3) Chairperson and vice-chairperson.--
(A) Chairperson.--
(i) In general.--The Chairperson of the
Council (referred to in this section as the
``Chairperson'') shall be the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, or a designee of
such Secretary.
(ii) Additional council composition
selection.--In addition to the membership
described in paragraph (1)(A), the Chairperson
may include the heads of other Federal agencies
as members of the Council as appropriate.
(B) Vice chairperson.--The Vice Chairperson of the
Council (referred to in this section as the ``Vice-
Chairperson'') shall be a designee from the set of core
members under paragraph (1)(B), except clause (iii) of
such paragraph, as selected by the Chairperson.
(d) Duties.--
(1) Strategic plan to end and prevent multigenerational
poverty and create a cycle of family prosperity.--Not later
than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Council shall develop, make available for public comment, and
submit to the President and Congress, a strategic plan to end
and prevent multigenerational poverty and create a cycle of
family prosperity. Such plan shall include activities that
align with the 2-generation approach and are consistent with
the objectives under subsection (b). The Council shall update
such plan annually.
(2) Implementing and advising 2-generation programs.--The
Council shall--
(A) provide guidance to entities in developing and
implementing 2-generation programs and other efforts
taking the 2-generation approach;
(B) establish and institutionalize coordination
among Council agencies by--
(i) holding regular leadership meetings;
(ii) establishing interagency communication
mechanisms;
(iii) forming working groups to advance
policy objectives;
(iv) information sharing, particularly on
programs and policies; and
(v) collaborating on priority activities of
the Council, technical assistance, and guidance
on coordinating the efforts of 2-generation
programs;
(C) identify knowledge gaps, research needs, and
policy and program deficiencies associated with
multigenerational poverty through developing a learning
and research agenda that identifies key research
questions and data gaps and potential opportunities for
Federal, State, and local organizations to answer such
research questions;
(D) identify best practices of programs, including
2-generation programs, and methodologies to break the
cycle of multigenerational poverty, through reviewing,
summarizing, and disseminating using the Council
website, evidence specifically related to programs,
policies, and practices, with the purpose of addressing
or reducing multigenerational poverty;
(E) advise relevant agencies on specific
programmatic and policy matters related to 2-generation
programs;
(F) provide relevant subject matter expertise to
each lead agency under section 202(a); and
(G) identify and address issues that may influence
the implementation of 2-generation programs.
(3) Technical assistance.--The Council may provide
technical assistance to grantees of Federal programs through--
(A) identifying barriers for 2-generation programs
that require waivers to Federal statutory, regulatory,
or administrative requirements and providing
recommendations to Congress regarding waivers to such
statutory requirements;
(B) addressing statutory, regulatory, or
administrative barriers to grantees of Federal programs
collaborating to carry out a 2-generation program and
making recommendations to Congress to address
legislative barriers to such collaboration;
(C) gathering and compiling stakeholder input on
effective 2-generation approaches;
(D) identifying resources to support 2-generation
programs; and
(E) providing resources with respect to the 2-
generation approach to 2-generation programs and the
public in the form of briefs, toolkits, or other forms
of technical assistance.
(4) Stakeholder convening.--
(A) Advice on addressing multigenerational
poverty.--The Chairperson, on behalf of the Council,
shall identify and invite individuals from diverse
entities, including advocates, individuals or families
experiencing poverty, individuals from nonprofit and
faith-based organizations, small businesses, and
philanthropic organizations, and researchers from
institutions of higher education, to provide the
Council with advice and knowledge pertaining to
addressing multigenerational poverty.
(B) Best practices and information gathering.--The
Council shall have the authority to convene
stakeholders across programs carrying out or supporting
the 2-generation approach for the purpose of sharing
best practices and gathering information on such
programs. Such stakeholders shall include experts with
respect to the 2-generation approach and may include
representatives from philanthropic organizations,
Federal, State, and local governments, nonprofit
organizations, and the private sector.
(C) Exemption from faca.--The Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to any
group convened by the Council to provide advice to the
Council.
(5) Reports to congress.--
(A) Annual reports.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter, the Council shall prepare and submit to
Congress a report that includes information on the
progress and results of each 2-generation program
established under section 201(a) in achieving the
appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes
described in section 201(b) that each program is
designed to achieve.
(B) Biannual reports.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Council shall prepare and submit to
Congress a report that includes--
(i) the objectives of the Council;
(ii) information on the overall progress of
the Council in ending and preventing
multigenerational poverty; and
(iii) legislative policy recommendations,
including addressing any needs for greater
legislative authority to meet the objectives of
this Act.
(6) Available funding.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, each Council agency shall
identify, document, and submit to the Chairperson a list of
funding sources that could support 2-generation programs in
achieving the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes
described in section 201(b).
SEC. 102. INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON COUNCIL WEBSITE.
(a) In General.--The Council shall ensure that the information
listed in subsection (b) is made available to the public and displayed
on the official website of the Council.
(b) Information.--The information listed in this subsection is each
of the following:
(1) The national strategic plan required under section
101(d)(1).
(2) Information on 2-generation programs, including--
(A) the outcomes described in section 201(b) that
each program established under section 201(a) is
designed to achieve, and the appropriate quantitative
levels for achieving such outcomes;
(B) national partners consisting of private and
government entities participating in (or interested in
participating in), including by funding, a 2-generation
program;
(C) a description of the 2-generation program
described in title III, including detailed information
on the performance partnership pilots approved under
section 302(a), the discretionary appropriations used
to carry out such program, and any waivers issued under
section 202(d) with respect to such program; and
(D) a description of any 2-generation program
established under section 201(a)(2).
(3) Each report, including the data contained in each such
report, that--
(A) the Council submits to Congress under section
101(d)(5);
(B) the Comptroller General of the United States
submits under section 303(c); and
(C) is submitted to the Council under section
303(d).
(4) Information describing the best practices (as
determined by the Council) of the 2-generation programs, and
other programs engaging in efforts to break the cycle of
multigenerational poverty and create a cycle of family
prosperity, to enable interested entities to emulate such best
practices in any efforts to end or prevent multigenerational
poverty.
SEC. 103. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years
2023 through 2027 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
title.
TITLE II--2-GENERATION PROGRAM
SEC. 201. PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Council shall establish, as 2-generation
programs, each of the following:
(1) The 2-generation performance partnership pilot program
described in title III.
(2) Such other 2-generation programs in accordance with
this title.
(b) Outcome Measures.--
(1) Establishment.--The Council shall establish clearly
defined outcome measures for each 2-generation program
established under subsection (a) and the appropriate
quantitative levels for achieving such outcomes.
(2) Primary outcomes.--Each 2-generation program
established under subsection (a) shall be designed to achieve
primary outcomes consisting of both of the following:
(A) Improved academic achievement of children and
increased earning potential of caregivers, including
enhanced--
(i) school readiness of children from birth
through age 5; and
(ii) educational or skill attainment of
caregivers, including through enrollment in an
apprenticeship program.
(B) Two or more of the following outcomes:
(i) Improved financial stability of
families, including increased financial
capability of, and savings for, caregivers and
children, achieved through increased earning
potential and enhanced financial decision-
making skills of caregivers and children.
(ii) Increased access for caregivers and
children to programs that foster healthy
caregiver-child relationships.
(iii) Increased opportunities for all
family members to participate in programs that
address the mental health needs of caregivers
and children.
(iv) Improved education of caregivers and
children on obesity prevention and nutrition,
and a subsequent reduction in rates of obesity
and related diseases among caregivers and
children.
(v) Improved maternal and child health,
including social and emotional health and
development of mothers and children.
(vi) Additional outcomes that reflect other
indicators of family prosperity, success, and
stability, such as stable housing, as
identified by the Council for children and
caregivers.
(3) Cost-effective outcomes.--In achieving the primary
outcomes described in paragraph (2), each 2-generation program
established under subsection (a) shall make better use of
budgetary resources to seek enhanced outcomes that are most
cost-effective for regions, communities, or vulnerable
populations.
SEC. 202. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Lead Agencies.--
(1) 2-generation performance partnership pilot program.--
The Department of Health and Human Services shall be the lead
agency for the purpose of carrying out the 2-generation program
described in title III.
(2) Other newly established 2-generation programs.--The
Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, in
collaboration with the Council, designate a lead agency from
among the Council agencies for the purpose of carrying out any
other 2-generation program established as described in section
201(a)(2).
(b) Agency Head Determinations.--
(1) In general.--A Council agency may participate (directly
or by providing discretionary appropriations that have been
appropriated to such agency) in a 2-generation program
established under section 201(a) only upon providing a written
determination by the head of such agency to the applicable lead
agency under subsection (a), subject to paragraph (3), based on
the best available information, transferring resources to
participate in such program will not--
(A) result in such Council agency reducing any
services (funded in whole or in part by the
discretionary appropriations of such agency) that such
agency provided prior to participating in the 2-
generation program; and
(B) otherwise adversely affect vulnerable
populations that are recipients of such services.
(2) Consideration.--In making the determination under
paragraph (1), the head of the Council agency may take into
consideration the discretionary appropriations that will be
used in the 2-generation program.
(3) Submission to full council.--In the case that the
Council agency seeking to participate in a 2-generation program
established under section 201(a) is the applicable lead agency
under subsection (c), the Council agency shall submit the
written determination required under paragraph (1) to the
Council.
(c) Transfer Authority.--
(1) 2-generation account.--The applicable lead agency under
subsection (a) may establish an account for the purpose of
carrying out a 2-generation program established under section
201(a), allowing multiple Council agencies participating in the
2-generation program to combine discretionary appropriations
for the purpose of carrying out the 2-generation program.
(2) Transfers.--Subject to the written approval of the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget and paragraph
(4), the head of each Council agency participating in a 2-
generation program established under section 201(a) may
transfer discretionary appropriations of the agency to the
account established under paragraph (1), to be used for such 2-
generation program.
(3) Availability.--
(A) Purposes.--Subject to the waiver authority
under subsection (d), the discretionary appropriations
transferred under paragraph (2) shall remain available
for the same purposes for which the appropriations were
originally appropriated.
(B) Obligation by the federal government.--The
discretionary appropriations transferred under
paragraph (2) shall remain available for obligation by
the Federal Government for the period for which such
appropriations were permitted to remain available, as
of the day before the date of the transfer.
(4) Notice requirement.--Not later than 30 days prior to
transferring any discretionary appropriations under paragraph
(2), the head of the Council agency transferring the
appropriations shall provide written notice of the transfer to
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate,
and other appropriate committees of Congress.
(d) Waiver Authority.--
(1) In general.--To reduce administrative burdens
(including application and reporting requirements) and subject
to other provisions of this Act (but notwithstanding subsection
(c)(3)(A)), the head of a Council agency participating in a 2-
generation program established under section 201(a) may waive
(in whole or in part) the application, solely with respect to
discretionary appropriations used in such 2-generation program,
of any statutory, regulatory, or administrative requirement
that such agency head--
(A) is authorized to waive (in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Federal law authorizing
such appropriations); or
(B) would not otherwise be authorized to waive, but
for the application of this subsection.
(2) Limitations.--
(A) In general.--An agency head described in
paragraph (1) shall not waive any requirement related
to nondiscrimination, wage and labor standards, or
allocation of funds to State or sub-State levels.
(B) Requirements.--For the waiver of any statutory,
regulatory, or administrative requirement described in
paragraph (1)(B), an agency head described in paragraph
(1) shall--
(i) prior to granting the waiver, submit to
the applicable lead agency under subsection (a)
a written determination, with respect to the
discretionary appropriations described in
paragraph (1), that the granting of such waiver
for purposes of the 2-generation program--
(I) is consistent with the
statutory purposes of the Federal
program for which such discretionary
appropriations were appropriated and
the other provisions of this section,
as well as the written determination by
such agency head under subsection
(b)(1);
(II) is necessary to achieve the
appropriate quantitative levels for the
outcomes described in section 201(b)
that the program is designed to
achieve, and is no broader in scope
than is necessary to achieve such
levels; and
(III) will result in--
(aa) realizing efficiencies
by simplifying reporting
burdens or reducing
administrative barriers with
respect to such discretionary
appropriations; or
(bb) increasing the ability
of individuals to obtain access
to services that are provided
through such discretionary
appropriations; and
(ii) provide at least 60 days of advance
written notice to the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives,
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate,
and other appropriate committees of Congress.
(e) Prohibited Use of Assessment for Young Children.--To
participate in a 2-generation program established under section 201(a),
an entity shall provide an assurance that the entity will not assess
the achievement of children from birth through grade 2, or programs
providing services to such children, by engaging in activities that
include--
(1) assessing such children or programs in a manner that
provides or leads to any reward or sanction for any individual
child, teacher, early childhood education program, as defined
in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1003), or school;
(2) using a single method for assessing the effectiveness
of a program serving such children as the primary or only
method for assessing such program; or
(3) evaluating such children for any purpose other than
to--
(A) improve instruction or classroom environment;
(B) target high-quality, evidence-based
professional development;
(C) determine the need for health (including mental
health), disability, or family support services;
(D) inform the quality improvement process for such
programs at the State level;
(E) evaluate such a program for the purposes of
program improvement and providing information to the
caregivers of children participating in such program;
or
(F) provide research conducted as part of a
national evaluation.
TITLE III--PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM
SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Lead agency.--The term ``lead agency'' means the
Department of Health and Human Services.
(2) Performance partnership pilot.--The term ``performance
partnership pilot'' means a project that--
(A) seeks to identify, through a demonstration,
cost-effective strategies for providing services at the
State, regional, or local level;
(B) involves 2 or more Federal programs
(administered by one or more Federal agencies)--
(i) with related policy goals; and
(ii) at least one of which is administered
(in whole or in part) by a State, local
government, or Tribal government;
(C) carries out the 2-generation approach by
achieving the outcomes described in section 201(b),
including making better use of budgetary resources to
seek enhanced outcomes that are cost-effective for
regions, communities, or vulnerable populations; and
(D) consistent with this title, allows--
(i) an entity participating in the project
to combine multiple sources of funding acquired
by the entity; and
(ii) multiple entities participating in the
project to combine sources of funding acquired
by the entities.
SEC. 302. PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP PILOTS.
(a) Approval of Pilots.--In accordance with title II and this
title, the lead agency shall approve not more than 5 performance
partnership pilots under the program described in this title, by
entering into performance partnership agreements under subsection (c).
(b) Use of Discretionary Appropriations.--Subject to section 202
and subsections (a) and (c), a Council agency may use discretionary
appropriations appropriated to such agency to participate in one or
more of the approved performance partnership pilots.
(c) Performance Partnership Agreements.--
(1) In general.--A Council agency may use discretionary
appropriations to participate in a performance partnership
pilot only in accordance with the terms of a performance
partnership agreement, described in paragraph (3), that is
entered into between--
(A) subject to paragraph (2), the lead agency on
behalf of each Council agency participating in such
pilot; and
(B) a representative of each State, local
government, or Tribal government that has applied for
participation in such pilot, in accordance with
application procedures established by the lead agency.
(2) Limitation.--The lead agency may only enter into an
agreement under paragraph (1) upon receiving, from the head of
each Council agency to be participating in such pilot, a
written concurrence to enter into such agreement, including an
agreement that such Council agency will comply with all
requirements under this Act for participating in such pilot.
(3) Terms of the agreement.--A performance partnership
agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall specify, at a
minimum, each of the following:
(A) The length of such agreement, which shall end
not later than 5 fiscal years after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(B) The Federal programs and federally funded
services that are involved in such pilot.
(C) The discretionary appropriations that are being
used in the performance partnership pilot (by the
respective Federal account identifier, and the total
amount from such account that is being used in such
pilot), and the period of availability for obligation
by the Federal Government of such funds.
(D) The non-Federal funds that are being used in
such pilot, by source (which may include private funds
and governmental funds) and by amount.
(E) The State, local, or Tribal programs that are
involved in such pilot.
(F) The populations to be served by such pilot.
(G) The cost-effective Federal oversight procedures
that will be used for the purpose of maintaining the
necessary level of accountability for the use of the
discretionary appropriations in such pilot.
(H) The cost-effective State, local, or Tribal
oversight procedures that will be used for the purpose
of maintaining the necessary level of accountability
for the use of the discretionary appropriations in such
pilot.
(I) The outcomes described in section 201(b) that
such pilot is designed to achieve and the appropriate
quantitative levels for achieving such outcomes.
(J) The appropriate, reliable, and objective
outcome-measurement methodology that will be used in
carrying out such pilot, to determine the success of
such pilot in achieving any outcome, and the
appropriate quantitative level for achieving such
outcome, specified under subparagraph (I).
(K) Any statutory, regulatory, or administrative
requirements related to a Federal mandatory program
that are barriers to achieving any outcome or level
specified under subparagraph (I).
(L) In a case in which, during the course of such
pilot, it is determined that the pilot is not achieving
the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes
specified under subparagraph (I)--
(i) any consequence that will result from
the failure to achieve such levels, with
respect to the discretionary appropriations
that are being used in such pilot; and
(ii) the corrective actions that will be
taken to increase the likelihood that such
pilot, upon completion, will have achieved such
levels.
(M) The design of a comparison population group for
purposes of comparing the outcomes specified under
subparagraph (I) for individuals participating in such
pilot with similar individuals who did not participate
in such pilot.
(d) Coordinators.--
(1) In general.--The lead agency shall award not more than
$100,000 to each performance partnership pilot approved under
this section to fund staff to lead coordination for such
performance partnership pilot.
(2) Amount.--The amount of each award under paragraph (1)
may take into account the prevailing wage rate in accordance
with the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics for an occupation determined by the
Secretary of Labor to be comparable to the position of a
coordinator of a performance partnership pilot approved under
this section for the locality in which the coordinator will be
hired.
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection such sums as
may be necessary for each fiscal year.
SEC. 303. REPORTING; EVALUATIONS.
(a) State, Local Government, or Tribal Government Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the first day
of each fiscal year, a State, local government, or Tribal
government participating (in whole or in part) in a performance
partnership pilot shall submit a report to the lead agency.
(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall include
information on--
(A) the progress of such performance partnership
pilot in achieving the appropriate quantitative levels
for the outcomes the pilot is designed to achieve under
section 302(c)(3)(I), including data supporting such
progress and regarding the comparison population group
described in section 302(c)(3)(M); and
(B) the discretionary appropriations, and any other
funds, used to carry out such performance partnership
pilot.
(b) Council Agency Reports.--Not later than 120 days after the
first day of each fiscal year, each Council agency participating in a
performance partnership pilot shall submit a report to the lead agency
in such manner and containing such information about the performance
partnership pilot as the lead agency may require.
(c) Evaluation by Comptroller General.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall, annually for 6 fiscal years after the date of
enactment of this Act, conduct an evaluation of the 2-
generation program described in this title, which shall include
information describing--
(A) the criteria used by the lead agency to approve
performance partnership pilots;
(B) the States, local governments, and Tribal
governments that participated in any performance
partnership pilot;
(C) how each such State, local government, and
Tribal government used funds received under such
performance partnership pilot;
(D) the success of each performance partnership
pilot in achieving the appropriate quantitative levels
for the outcomes the pilot is designed to achieve under
section 302(c)(3)(I); and
(E) the ability of each performance partnership
pilot to be replicated or expanded to serve more
families.
(2) Submission.--Not later than 90 days after the first day
of each fiscal year, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit a report containing the evaluation
conducted under paragraph (1) to the lead agency and the
Council.
(d) Lead Agency Report to the Council.--Not later than 180 days
after the first day of each fiscal year, the lead agency shall submit a
report to the Council that evaluates the information provided in the
reports under subsections (a), (b), and (c). The Council shall include
such evaluation in the reports under section 101(d)(5)(A).
SEC. 304. APPLICABILITY TO EXISTING PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP PILOTS.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to apply to any performance
partnership pilot authorized under any of the following:
(1) Section 526 of the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76).
(2) Section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113-235).
(3) Section 525 of the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 114-113).
(4) Section 525 of the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31).
(5) Section 525 of the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141).
(6) Section 524 of the Department Health and Human Services
Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 115-245).
(7) Section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94).
(8) Section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260).
<all>