[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5511 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5511
To provide subsidized summer and year-round employment for youth who
face systemic barriers to employment and viable career options and to
assist local community partnerships in improving high school graduation
and youth employment rates, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2023
Mr. Scott of Virginia (for himself, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Mrs. Hayes,
and Ms. Wilson of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide subsidized summer and year-round employment for youth who
face systemic barriers to employment and viable career options and to
assist local community partnerships in improving high school graduation
and youth employment rates, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Opening Doors for Youth Act of
2023''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor to
carry out this Act--
(1) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(2) $1,050,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
(3) $1,100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
(4) $1,150,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(5) $1,200,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
(6) $1,250,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.
SEC. 3. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
(a) Reservation of Funds for Administrative and Other Purposes.--Of
the amount available under section 2, the Secretary of Labor shall
reserve--
(1) not more than 5 percent to carry out innovation and
learning activities under section 9;
(2) not more than 5 percent for the costs of Federal
administration of this Act; and
(3) not more than 2 percent to carry out evaluations under
section 10.
(b) Distribution of Funds.--Of the amount made available under
section 2 and not reserved under subsection (a), the Secretary of Labor
shall use--
(1) 30 percent of such amount to carry out section 4;
(2) 35 percent of such amount to carry out section 5; and
(3) 35 percent of such amount to carry out section 6.
SEC. 4. SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH.
(a) In General.--From the amount available under section 3(b)(1),
the Secretary of Labor shall, for the purpose of carrying out summer
employment programs under this section--
(1) after making the reservations described in paragraphs
(2) and (3), make an allotment of the remainder of such amount
in accordance with section 127(b)(1)(C)(ii) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3162(b)(1)(C)(ii)) to
each State that meets the requirements of section 102 or 103 of
such Act (29 U.S.C. 3112; 3113);
(2) reserve not more than one-quarter of 1 percent of such
amount to provide assistance to the outlying areas; and
(3) reserve not more than 1\1/2\ percent of such amount to
make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative
agreements with, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska
Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations serving
Indians, or Native Hawaiian organizations, to carry out the
activities described in subsection (d)(2).
(b) Within State Allocations.--
(1) In general.--The Governor of a State, in accordance
with the State plan developed under section 102 or 103 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112;
3113), shall allocate the amount that is allotted to the State
under subsection (a)(1) to local areas meeting the requirements
under subsection (c) in accordance with the allocation
described in section 128(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3163(b)(2)(A)(i)) for
the purpose of developing and expanding summer employment
programs under this section.
(2) Reallocation among local areas.--
(A) In general.--The Governor may, after
consultation with the State board, reallocate to
eligible local areas within the State amounts that are
made available to local areas from allocations made
under this section (referred to in this paragraph as a
``local allocation'') and that are available for
reallocation in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Amount.--The amount available for reallocation
for a program year is equal to the amount by which the
unobligated balance of the local allocation, at the end
of the program year prior to the program year for which
the determination under this paragraph is made, exceeds
20 percent of such allocation for the prior program
year.
(C) Reallocation.--In making reallocations to
eligible local areas of amounts available pursuant to
subparagraph (B) for a program year, the Governor shall
allocate to each eligible local area within the State
an amount based on the relative amount of the local
allocation for the program year for which the
determination is made, as compared to the total amount
of the local allocations for all eligible local areas
in the State for such program year.
(D) Eligible local area.--For purposes of this
paragraph, the term ``eligible local area'' means a
local area that meets the requirements under subsection
(c) and does not have an amount available for
reallocation under subparagraph (B) for the program
year for which the determination under such
subparagraph is made.
(3) Local reservation.--Of the amount allocated to a local
area under paragraph (1)--
(A) not more than 10 percent of such amount may be
used for the administrative costs of carrying out a
summer employment program under this section, including
costs for participating in regional and national
opportunities for in-person or virtual peer learning
under section 9; and
(B) not less than 5 percent of such amount shall be
used to provide direct financial assistance to eligible
youth through grants to support their financial needs
to enter, remain enrolled in, and complete the program,
such as support for supplies, transportation, child
care, and housing.
(c) Local Plans.--
(1) In general.--In order for a local area to be eligible
for funds under this section, the local board of the local area
shall develop and submit to the Governor in accordance with
paragraph (2) a 4-year plan for the summer employment program.
Such plan shall, at a minimum--
(A) not conflict with the local plan submitted by
the local board under section 108 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3123), as
determined by the Governor; and
(B) contain the contents required under paragraph
(3).
(2) Submission.--
(A) In general.--A plan required under this
subsection shall be submitted by the local area to the
Governor of such area at such time and in such manner
as the Governor may reasonably require.
(B) Combined plans.--If a local area is seeking
funds under this section and section 5, the plan
required under this subsection may be submitted in
combination with a plan under section 5, in lieu of the
local area submitting 2 separate plans.
(3) Contents.--At a minimum, each plan required under this
subsection shall include--
(A) a description of how the local area will carry
out the activities described in subsection (d) for each
program year;
(B) a description of how the local area will
recruit eligible youth into the summer employment
program, including how the local area will prioritize
recruitment of individuals with barriers to employment;
(C) the number of eligible youth expected to
participate in the program each program year;
(D) a description of the services, including
supportive services, that the program is expected to
provide to eligible youth, including how the local area
will partner with community-based organizations to
provide such services;
(E) performance accountability goals, as measured
by the primary indicators of performance described in
subsection (e)(1);
(F) an assurance that the program will be aligned
with the youth workforce investment activities provided
by the local area under chapter 2 of subtitle B of
title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3161 et seq.), and to the extent
practicable, the career exploration, information, and
guidance activities provided by such local area in
accordance with section 134(b)(3) of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20
U.S.C. 2354(b)(3));
(G) an assurance that the local area will adhere to
the labor standards described in section 7;
(H) a description of program alignment to work-
based learning opportunities, or plans to create work-
based learning opportunities, and a description of
whether the program awards academic credit towards a
secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent,
or a recognized postsecondary credential, as
applicable;
(I) a description of programs being offered that
align to high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry
sectors or occupations; and
(J) any other information as the Governor may
reasonably require.
(d) Local Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--A local area that receives an allocation
under this section shall use such allocation for development
activities or expansion activities with respect to a summer
employment program in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Development activities.--In the case of a local area
that, at the beginning of the first program year covered by the
local plan submitted under subsection (c), is not carrying out
a summer employment program described in paragraph (4), the
local board of such local area--
(A) shall use the amount allocated under this
section to such local area to--
(i) plan, develop, and carry out a summer
employment program described in paragraph (4);
(ii) engage or establish industry or sector
partnerships to determine local summer job
needs to inform the establishment of such
program; and
(iii) conduct outreach to eligible youth
and employers; and
(B) may--
(i) use such amount to develop technology
infrastructure, including data and management
systems, to support such program; and
(ii) use not more than 25 percent of such
amount to subsidize not more than 75 percent of
the wages of each eligible youth participating
in the program.
(3) Expansion activities.--In the case of a local area
that, at the beginning of the first program year covered by the
local plan submitted under subsection (c), is carrying out a
summer employment program described in paragraph (4), the local
board of such local area--
(A) shall use the amount allocated under this
section to such local area to--
(i) increase the number of summer
employment opportunities offered through such
program, including unsubsidized or partly
subsidized opportunities and opportunities in
the private sector;
(ii) conduct outreach to eligible youth and
employers; and
(iii) subsidize not more than 50 percent of
the wages of each eligible youth participating
in the program; and
(B) may use such amount to enhance the activities
required under paragraph (4)(B).
(4) Program requirements.--A summer employment program
described in this paragraph is a program that meets the
following requirements:
(A) Program design.--Each eligible youth
participating in the program is matched with an
appropriate employer, based on factors including the
needs of the employer and the age, skill, and
aspirations of the eligible youth, for a high-quality
summer employment opportunity, which may not--
(i) be less than 4 weeks; and
(ii) pay less than the greater of the
applicable Federal, State, or local minimum
wage.
(B) Program elements.--The program includes the
following program elements:
(i) Work-readiness training and educational
programs for eligible youth to enhance their
summer employment opportunities, including
digital literacy and online work-readiness
opportunities, as appropriate, and support
obtaining documentation needed for employment,
such as identification or licenses.
(ii) Coaching and mentoring services for
eligible youth participating in the program to
enhance their summer employment opportunities
and encourage completion of such opportunities
through the program, which may occur prior to,
during, or after the summer employment program.
(iii) Coaching and mentoring services for
employers on how to successfully employ
eligible youth participating in the program in
meaningful work, including on providing a safe
work and training environment for all
participants, regardless of race, color,
disability, age, religion, national origin,
political affiliation, belief, marital status,
sex (including sexual orientation or gender
identity), pregnancy, childbirth, or a related
medical condition, or status as a parent.
(iv) Career exploration, career counseling,
career planning and postsecondary education
planning services for eligible youth
participating in the program.
(v) High-quality financial literacy
education for eligible youth participating in
the program as described in section
129(b)(2)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(b)(2)(D)), and
including education on the use of credit and
financing higher education, savings, and access
to safe and affordable banking accounts with
consumer protections.
(vi) Providing supportive services to
eligible youth, or connecting such youth to
supportive services provided by another entity,
to enable their participation in the program.
(vii) Follow-up services for not less than
12 months after the completion of
participation, as appropriate.
(viii) Integrating services provided by the
program with year-round employment programs,
youth development programs, secondary school
programs, career pathways, career and technical
education programs, youth workforce investment
activities provided under chapter 2 of subtitle
B of title I of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3161 et seq.), work-
based learning, and skills training programs
funded by the State or Federal Government, as
applicable.
(ix) Connecting eligible youth
participating in the program to providers of
youth services, adult employment and training
services, vocational rehabilitation services,
adult education and literacy services under
title II of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.),
career pathways, or skills training programs
funded by the State or Federal Government, as
applicable for each eligible youth.
(x) Express, written commitment from mayors
and county executives to support the execution
of the program as described in the plan
submitted under subsection (c).
(C) Information and referrals.--
(i) In general.--Each local board shall
ensure that each participant of a summer
employment program receiving assistance under
this section shall be provided--
(I) information on the full array
of applicable or appropriate services
that are available through the local
board or other eligible providers or
one-stop partners, including those
providers or partners receiving funds
under this Act; and
(II) referral to appropriate
training and educational programs that
have the capacity to serve the
participant either on a concurrent or
sequential basis.
(ii) Further assessment and referral.--Each
local board shall, in a manner consistent with
section 129(c)(3)(B) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3164(c)(3)(B)), ensure that eligible youth who
do not meet employment requirements for the
summer employment program shall be referred for
further assessment, as necessary, and referred
to appropriate programs in accordance with
clause (i) to meet the basic skills and
training needs for such employment.
(5) Priority.--In carrying out a summer employment program
receiving assistance under this section, a local board shall--
(A) give priority to summer employment
opportunities offered under such program--
(i) in existing or emerging high-skill,
high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or
occupations; or
(ii) that meet community needs in the
public, private, or nonprofit sector; and
(B) for any program year, use not less than 75
percent of the amount allocated under this section to
provide summer employment opportunities under such
program for eligible youth that are in-school youth.
(e) Performance Accountability.--
(1) Primary indicators of performance.--For each local
board carrying out a summer employment program funded under
this section, the primary indicators of performance, with
respect to each such program, shall include--
(A) the performance metrics described in clause
(i)(V), and subparagraphs (I) and (II) of clause (ii),
of section 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A));
(B) the percentage of eligible youth completing the
program; and
(C) the percentage of youth having participated in
work-based learning.
(2) Failure to meet local performance accountability
measures.--
(A) In general.--If a local area fails, for any
program year, to meet a performance accountability goal
identified in its local plan under subsection
(c)(3)(E), with respect to a summer employment program
receiving assistance under this section, the Governor,
or, upon request by the Governor, the Secretary of
Labor, shall provide the local board with technical
assistance, which may include assistance in the
development of a performance improvement plan for such
summer employment program.
(B) Corrective action.--In a case in which such
local area fails to meet such performance
accountability goal with respect to the program for a
third consecutive year or fails to implement the
improvement plan, the Governor shall take corrective
actions, which may include, after notice and
opportunity for a hearing, the withholding from the
local area all, or a portion, of the allocation under
this section. Such funds shall be used to provide
summer employment activities in such local area under
alternative arrangements that are consistent with the
program elements described in subsection (d)(4)(B).
(f) Supplement and Not Supplant.--Any funds made available for a
local area for summer employment programs under this section shall
supplement and not supplant other State or local public funds expended
for summer employment programs or other youth activities funded under
section 129 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3164).
(g) Reports.--
(1) In general.--For each year that a local area receives
an allocation under this section to carry out a summer
employment program, the local board shall submit to the
Secretary of Labor and the Governor a report with--
(A) the number of eligible youth participating in
the program, disaggregated by the number of such youth
that are in-school youth and that are out-of-school
youth;
(B) the number of eligible youth participating in
the program who complete a summer employment
opportunity through the program;
(C) the expenditures made from the amounts
allocated under this section, including expenditures
made to provide eligible youth participating in such
program with supportive services;
(D) a description of how the local area has used
amounts allocated under this section to develop or
expand a summer employment program, including a
description of program activities and services provided
to eligible youth, including supportive services
provided and the number of eligible youth participating
in such program and accessing such services;
(E) for youth participants with a subsidized wage,
the amount and source of the subsidy, including the
amount of the subsidy covered by grant funds under this
section;
(F) information specifying the levels of
performance achieved with respect to the primary
indicators of performance for the program described in
subsection (e)(1);
(G) the average number of hours and weeks worked
and the average amount of wages earned by eligible
youth participating in the program;
(H) the average number of hours spent on--
(i) recruitment and retention strategies;
and
(ii) support for participating youth, such
as time management, career planning, and
financial literacy training;
(I) the percent of eligible youth participating in
the program that are placed in--
(i) an employment opportunity in the
nonprofit sector;
(ii) an employment opportunity in the
public sector; and
(iii) an employment opportunity in the
private sector; and
(J) any other information that the Secretary of
Labor determines necessary to monitor the effectiveness
of the summer employment program.
(2) Disaggregation.--The information required to be
reported under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (G) of paragraph (1)
shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, age, and the
subpopulations described in subclauses (I) through (VI) of
section 129(a)(1)(B)(iii) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1)(B)(iii)).
(h) Eligible Youth Defined.--For the purposes of this section, the
term ``eligible youth'' means an individual who, at the time the
eligibility determination is made, is an out-of-school youth or an in-
school youth.
SEC. 5. YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH.
(a) In General.--From the amount available under section 3(b)(2),
the Secretary of Labor shall, for the purpose of carrying out year-
round employment programs under this section--
(1) after making the reservation described in paragraph
(2), make an allotment of the remainder of such amount in
accordance with section 127(b)(1)(C)(ii) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3162(b)(1)(C)(ii)) to
each State that meets the requirements of section 102 or 103 of
such Act (29 U.S.C. 3112; 3113); and
(2) reserve not more than one-quarter of 1 percent of such
amount to provide assistance to the outlying areas.
(b) Within State Allocations.--
(1) In general.--The Governor of a State, in accordance
with the State plan developed under section 102 or 103 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112;
3113), shall allocate the amounts that are allotted to the
State under subsection (a)(1) to local areas meeting the
requirements under subsection (c) in accordance with the
allocation described section 128(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3163(b)(2)(A)(i)) for
the purpose of developing and expanding year-round employment
programs under this section.
(2) Reallocation among local areas.--
(A) In general.--The Governor may, after
consultation with the State board, reallocate to
eligible local areas within the State amounts that are
made available to local areas from allocations made
under this section (referred to in this paragraph as a
``local allocation'') and that are available for
reallocation in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Amount.--The amount available for reallocation
for a program year is equal to the amount by which the
unobligated balance of the local allocation, at the end
of the program year prior to the program year for which
the determination under this paragraph is made, exceeds
20 percent of such allocation for the prior program
year.
(C) Reallocation.--In making reallocations to
eligible local areas of amounts available pursuant to
subparagraph (B) for a program year, the Governor shall
allocate to each eligible local area within the State
an amount based on the relative amount of the local
allocation for the program year for which the
determination is made, as compared to the total amount
of the local allocations for all eligible local areas
in the State for such program year.
(D) Eligible local area.--For purposes of this
paragraph, the term ``eligible local area'' means a
local area that meets the requirements under subsection
(c) and does not have an amount available for
reallocation under subparagraph (B) for the program
year for which the determination under such
subparagraph is made.
(3) Local reservation.--Of the amount allocated to a local
area under paragraph (1)--
(A) not more than 10 percent of such amount may be
used for the administrative costs of carrying out a
year-round employment program under this section,
including costs for participating in regional and
national opportunities for in-person or virtual peer
learning under section 9; and
(B) not less than 5 percent of such amount shall be
used to provide direct financial assistance to eligible
youth through grants to support their financial needs
to enter, remain enrolled in, and complete the program,
such as support for supplies, transportation, child
care, and housing.
(c) Local Plans.--
(1) In general.--In order for a local area to be eligible
for funds under this section, the local board of the local area
shall develop and submit to the Governor in accordance with
paragraph (2) a 4-year plan for the year-round employment
program. Such plan shall, at a minimum--
(A) not conflict with the local plan submitted by
the local board under section 108 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3123), as
determined by the Governor; and
(B) contain the contents required under paragraph
(3).
(2) Submission.--
(A) In general.--A plan required under this
subsection shall be submitted by the local area to the
Governor of such area at such time and in such manner
as the Governor may reasonably require.
(B) Combined plans.--If a local area is seeking
funds under this section and section 4, the plan
required under this subsection may be submitted in
combination with a plan under section 4, in lieu of the
local area submitting 2 separate plans.
(3) Contents.--At a minimum, each plan required under this
subsection shall include--
(A) a description of how the local area will carry
out the activities described in subsection (d) for each
program year;
(B) a description of how the local area will
recruit eligible youth to participate in the program,
including how the local area will prioritize
recruitment of individuals with barriers to employment;
(C) the number of eligible youth expected to
participate in the program each program year;
(D) a description of the services provided,
including supportive services, that the program is
expected to provide to eligible youth, including how
the local area will partner with community-based
organizations to provide such services;
(E) performance accountability goals, as measured
by the primary indicators of performance described in
subsection (e)(1);
(F) an assurance that the program will be aligned
with the youth investment activities provided under
chapter 2 of subtitle B of title I of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3161 et
seq.);
(G) an assurance that the local area will adhere to
the labor standards outlined in section 7;
(H) a description of the alignment of the program
to work-based learning, or plans to create work-based
learning opportunities, and whether the program will
award academic credit towards the fulfillment of a
secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent,
or a recognized postsecondary credential, as
applicable;
(I) a description of programs being offered that
align to high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry
sectors or occupations; and
(J) any other information as the Governor may
reasonably require.
(d) Local Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--A local area that receives an allocation
under this section shall use such allocation for development
activities or expansion activities with respect to a year-round
employment program in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Development activities.--In the case of a local area
that, at the beginning of the first program year covered by the
local plan submitted under subsection (c), is not carrying out
a year-round employment program described in paragraph (4), the
local board of such local area--
(A) shall use the amount to--
(i) plan, develop, and carry out a
community-based year-round employment program
that meets each such requirement, that to the
extent practicable, are evidence-based;
(ii) engage or establish industry or sector
partnerships to determine year-round job needs
to inform the establishment of such program;
and
(iii) conduct outreach to eligible youth
and employers; and
(B) may--
(i) use such amount to develop technology
infrastructure, including data and management
systems, to support such program; and
(ii) use not more than 50 percent of such
amount to subsidize the wages of each eligible
youth participating in such program.
(3) Expansion activities.--In the case of a local area
that, at the beginning of the first full program year covered
by the local plan submitted under subsection (c), is carrying
out a year-round program described in paragraph (4), the local
board of such local area--
(A) shall use such amount to--
(i) increase the number of community-based,
year-round employment opportunities offered
through such program, including unsubsidized or
partly subsidized opportunities and
opportunities in the private sector, that to
the extent practicable, are evidence-based;
(ii) conduct outreach to eligible youth and
employers; and
(iii) subsidize the wages of eligible youth
participating in such program; and
(B) may use such amount to enhance the activities
required under paragraph (4)(B).
(4) Program requirements.--
(A) Program design.--A year-round employment
program described in this paragraph is a program that
meets the following requirements:
(i) In general.--Each eligible youth
participating in the program is matched with an
appropriate employer, based on factors
including the needs of the employer and the
age, skill, and informed aspirations of the
participant, for high-quality, year-round
employment, which may not--
(I) be less than 180 days and more
than 1 year;
(II) pay less than the greater of
the applicable Federal, State, or local
minimum wage; and
(III) employ the eligible youth for
less than 20 hours per week.
(ii) Employer share of wages.--Not less
than 25 percent of the wages of each eligible
youth participating in the program are paid by
the employer, except this requirement may be
waived for not more than 10 percent of eligible
youth participating in the program that have a
significant barrier to employment, as defined
by the State board.
(B) Program elements.--The program includes the
following program elements:
(i) Work-readiness training and educational
programs aligned to career pathways for
eligible youth to enhance their year-round
employment opportunities, including digital
literacy and online work-readiness
opportunities, as appropriate, and support
obtaining documentation needed for employment,
such as identification or licenses.
(ii) Coaching and mentoring services for
eligible youth participating in the program to
enhance their year-round employment
opportunities and encourage completion of such
opportunities through the program.
(iii) Coaching and mentoring services for
employers on how to successfully employ each
eligible youth participating in the program in
meaningful work, including on providing a safe
work and training environment for all
participants, regardless of race, color,
disability, age, religion, national origin,
political affiliation, belief, marital status,
sex (including sexual orientation or gender
identity), pregnancy, childbirth, or a related
medical condition, or status as a parent.
(iv) Career exploration, career counseling,
career planning, and college planning services
for eligible youth participating in the
program.
(v) High-quality financial literacy
education as described in section 129(b)(2)(D)
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3164(b)(2)(D)), for eligible youth
participating in the program, including
education on the use of credit and financing
higher education, and access to safe and
affordable banking accounts with consumer
protections, including from local credit
unions.
(vi) Providing supportive services to
eligible youth, or connecting such youth to
supportive services provided by another entity,
to enable participation in the program, which
may include food and nutrition services, and
health and mental health care supports.
(vii) Follow-up services for not less than
12 months after the completion of
participation, as appropriate.
(viii) Integration of services provided by
the program with youth development programs,
secondary school programs, career and technical
education programs, youth workforce investment
activities under chapter 2 of subtitle B of
title I of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3161 et seq.), and
skills training programs funded by the State or
Federal Government, as applicable.
(ix) Connecting youth participating in the
program to providers of youth services, adult
employment and training services, vocational
rehabilitation services, and adult education
and literacy services under title II of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3271 et seq.), career pathways,
postsecondary education, or skills training
programs funded by the State or Federal
Government, as applicable.
(x) A rigorous evaluation of such program
using research approaches appropriate to the
level of development and maturity of the
program, including random assignment or quasi-
experimental impact evaluations, implementation
evaluations, pre-experimental studies, and
feasibility studies.
(xi) Commitment and support from mayors or
county executives to support the execution of
the program as described in the local plan
submitted under subsection (c).
(C) Information and referrals.--
(i) In general.--Each local board shall
ensure that each participant of a year-round
employment program receiving assistance under
this section shall be provided--
(I) information on the full array
of applicable or appropriate services
that are available through the local
board or other eligible providers or
one-stop partners, including those
providers or partners receiving funds
under this Act; and
(II) referral to appropriate
training and educational programs that
have the capacity to serve the
participant either on a concurrent or
sequential basis.
(ii) Further assessment and referral.--Each
local board shall, in a manner consistent with
section 129(c)(3)(B) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3164(c)(3)(B)), ensure that eligible youth who
do not meet the employment requirements for the
year-round employment program shall be referred
for further assessment, as necessary, and
referred to appropriate programs in accordance
with clause (i) to meet the basic skills and
training needs for such employment.
(5) Priority.--In carrying out a year-round employment
program receiving assistance under this section, a local area
shall give priority to year-round employment opportunities
offered under such program--
(A) in existing or emerging high-skill, high-wage,
or in-demand industry sectors or occupations; or
(B) that meet community needs in the public,
private, or nonprofit sector.
(e) Performance Accountability.--
(1) In general.--For each local area receiving an
allocation under this section, the primary indicators of
performance, for each year-round program receiving assistance
under such allocation, shall include--
(A) the performance metrics described in section
116(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(ii));
(B) the percentage of eligible youth completing the
program; and
(C) the percentage of eligible youth having
participated in work-based learning.
(2) Failure to meet local performance accountability
measures.--
(A) In general.--If a local area fails, for any
program year, to meet a performance accountability goal
identified in its plan under subsection (c)(3)(E) with
respect to a year-round employment program funded under
this section, the Governor, or, upon request by the
Governor, the Secretary of Labor, shall provide the
local area with technical assistance, which may include
assistance in the development of a performance
improvement plan for such program.
(B) Corrective actions.--In a case in which such
local area fails to meet such performance
accountability goal with respect to the program for a
third consecutive year or fails to implement the
improvement plan, the Governor shall take corrective
actions, which may include, after notice and
opportunity for a hearing, the withholding from the
local area all, or a portion, of the allocation under
this section to provide summer employment activities in
such local areas under alternative arrangements that
are consistent with the program elements described in
subsection (d)(4)(B).
(f) Supplement and Not Supplant.--Any funds made available for
year-round employment programs under this section shall supplement and
not supplant other State or local public funds expended for year-round
youth employment programs or other youth activities funded under
section 129 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3164).
(g) Reports.--
(1) In general.--For each year that a local area receives
an allocation under this section for a year-round employment
program, the local area shall submit to the Secretary of Labor
and the Governor a report with--
(A) the number of eligible youth participating in
the program;
(B) the number of eligible youth participating in
the program who complete a year-round employment
opportunity through the program;
(C) the expenditures made from the amounts
allocated under this section, including expenditures
made to provide eligible youth participating in the
program with supportive services;
(D) a description of how the local area has used
amounts allocated under this section to develop or
expand a year-round work-based learning employment
program, including a description of the program
activities and services, including the supportive
services provided and the number of eligible youth
participating in the program and accessing such
services;
(E) for each youth participant with a subsidized
wage, the amount and source of the subsidy, including
the amount of the subsidy covered by grant funds under
this section;
(F) information specifying the levels of
performance achieved with respect to the primary
indicators of performance described in subsection
(e)(1) for the program;
(G) the average number of hours and weeks worked
and the average amount of wages earned by eligible
youth participating in the program;
(H) the average number of hours spent on--
(i) recruitment and retention strategies;
and
(ii) support for participating youth, such
as time management, career planning, and
financial literacy training;
(I) the percent of eligible youth participating in
the program that are placed in--
(i) an employment opportunity in the
nonprofit sector;
(ii) an employment opportunity in the
public sector; and
(iii) an employment opportunity in the
private sector;
(J) the number of eligible youth participating in
the program who are asked by the employer to remain
employed by the employer after the end of the year-
round employment program and the number of youth
participants remaining employed by the employer for not
less than 90 days after the end of the year-round
employment program; and
(K) any other information that the Secretary of
Labor determines necessary to monitor the effectiveness
of the program.
(2) Disaggregation.--The information required to be
reported under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (G) of paragraph (1)
shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, age, and each
subpopulation described in subclauses (I) through (VI) of
section 129(a)(1)(B)(iii) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1)(B)(iii)).
(h) Eligible Youth Defined.--For the purposes of this section, the
term ``eligible youth'' means an individual who, at the time the
eligibility determination is made, is an out-of-school youth.
SEC. 6. CONNECTING-FOR-OPPORTUNITIES COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--From the amount available under section 3(b)(3),
the Secretary of Labor shall, in consultation with the Secretary of
Education, award grants on a competitive basis to local community
partnerships to assist such local community partnerships in improving
high school graduation and youth employment rates.
(b) Local Community Partnerships.--
(1) Mandatory partners.--In this section, the term ``local
community partnership'' means a partnership among at least the
following entities:
(A) A unit of general local government.
(B) A local educational agency.
(C) An institution of higher education.
(D) A local board.
(E) A community-based organization with experience
or expertise in working with youth.
(F) A public agency serving youth or young adults
under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system
or criminal justice system.
(G) A State or local child welfare agency.
(H) An agency administering programs under part A
of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601
et seq.).
(I) An industry or sector partnership, to the
extent practicable.
(J) A labor organization or joint labor-management
organization, to the extent practicable.
(2) Optional partners.--The following entities may be
included as part of the partnership among the entities listed
in paragraph (1):
(A) One-stop operators.
(B) Employers or employer associations.
(C) Entities that carry out programs that receive
funding under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention Act of 1974 (34 U.S.C. 11101 et seq.).
(D) Public agencies or community-based
organizations with expertise in providing evidence-
based trauma support services, counseling, or mental
health care to youth, including trauma-informed and
gender-responsive counseling.
(E) Public housing agencies, collaborative
applicants (as defined in section 401 of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360)), or
private nonprofit organizations that serve homeless
youth and households or foster youth.
(F) Other appropriate State and local agencies.
(c) Application.--A local community partnership desiring a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary of Labor an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may reasonably require. At a minimum, each
application shall include a comprehensive plan that--
(1) demonstrates sufficient need for the grant in the local
population, which need may be demonstrated--
(A) on the basis of high school dropouts in the
local area to be served by the partnership, as compared
to the total number of unemployed individuals ages 16
to 24 in local areas in all States;
(B) on the basis of the relative number of
unemployed individuals ages 16 to 24 in the local area
to be served by the partnership, as compared to the
total number of unemployed individuals ages 16 to 24 in
local areas in all States; or
(C) on the basis of the relative percentage or
number of low-income individuals in the local area to
be served by the partnership, as compared to the total
percentage or number of low-income individuals in local
areas in all States;
(2) identifies and describes the role of each entity in the
partnership, including the fiscal agent in the partnership and
the role of each such entity in carrying out the activities
described in subsection (d);
(3) does not conflict with the local plan submitted by the
local board in the local area served by the local community
partnership under section 108 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3123), the applicable local plan for
career and technical education programs under section 134 of
the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
(20 U.S.C. 2354) (if not part of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act local plan), and the applicable State plan for
programs under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); and
(4) includes an assurance that the partnership will adhere
to the labor standards outlined in section 7.
(d) Use of Funds.--A local community partnership receiving a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds--
(1) to target and serve individuals not younger than age 14
or older than age 24, prioritizing individuals with barriers to
employment;
(2) to make appropriate use of education, child welfare,
social services, and workforce development data collection
systems to facilitate the local community partnership's ability
to target and serve the individuals described in paragraph (1);
(3) to develop wide-ranging pathways to postsecondary
education and employment, including--
(A) using not less than 50 percent of the grant
funds to help individuals described in paragraph (1)
complete their secondary school education, including
through high-quality, flexible programs that utilize
community-based, and, to the extent practicable,
evidence-based interventions and provide differentiated
services (or pathways) to students--
(i) who are returning to education after
exiting secondary school without a secondary
school diploma or its recognized equivalent; or
(ii) who, based on their grade or age, are
significantly off track to accumulate
sufficient academic credits to meet high school
graduation requirements, as established by the
State;
(B) creating career pathways, focused on paid work-
based learning consisting of on-the-job training and
classroom instruction, that--
(i) will lead to the attainment of a
recognized postsecondary credential; and
(ii) includes, to the maximum extent
practicable, learning through apprenticeship
programs and pre-apprenticeship programs;
(C) connecting individuals described in paragraph
(1) with professionals who can provide such individuals
with pre-employment and employment counseling and
assist such individuals in--
(i) finding and securing employment or
work-based learning opportunities that pay not
less than the greater of the applicable
Federal, State, or local minimum wage;
(ii) identifying and assessing eligibility
for training programs and funding for such
programs;
(iii) completing necessary paperwork for
applying for and enrolling in such programs;
and
(iv) identifying additional services, if
needed;
(D) connecting individuals described in paragraph
(1) with providers of--
(i) youth services, adult employment and
training services, vocational rehabilitation
services, and adult education and literacy
services, under the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.);
(ii) career planning services; and
(iii) federally and State-funded programs
that provide skills training; and
(E) ensuring that such individuals successfully
transition into pre-apprenticeship programs,
apprenticeship programs, or programs leading to
recognized postsecondary credentials in high-skill,
high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or
occupations;
(4) to provide a comprehensive system of supportive
services aimed at preventing the individuals described in
paragraph (1) from disconnecting from education, training, and
employment, and aimed at re-engaging any such individual who
has been so disconnected, by--
(A) providing school-based dropout prevention and
community-based dropout recovery services, including
establishing or improving school district early warning
systems that--
(i) connect such systems to data gathering
and reporting systems established under the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) for the purpose of
identifying the individuals described in
paragraph (1) so long as such data does not
reveal personally identifiable information
about a program participant or would not reveal
such information when combined with other
released information; and
(ii) engage any such identified individual
using targeted, community-based, and, to the
extent practicable, evidence-based
interventions to address the specific needs and
issues of the individual, including chronic
absenteeism; and
(B) providing the individuals described in
paragraph (1) with access to re-engagement services for
training programs and employment opportunities and, to
the extent practicable, using providers of youth
services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) to conduct intake and
refer such individuals and their families to the
appropriate re-engagement service; and
(5) to provide a comprehensive system of support for the
individuals described in paragraph (1), including--
(A) connecting such individuals with professionals
who can--
(i) provide case management and counseling
services; and
(ii) assist such individuals in--
(I) developing achievable short-
term goals and long-term goals; and
(II) overcoming any social,
administrative, or financial barrier
that may hinder enrollment in the
program or the achievement of such
goals; and
(B) providing or connecting participants with
available supportive services.
(e) Priority in Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary of Labor shall give priority to applications submitted by
local community partnerships that include a comprehensive plan that--
(1) serves and targets communities with a high percentage
of low-income individuals and high rates of high school
dropouts and youth unemployment; and
(2) allows the individuals described in paragraph (1) to
earn academic credit through various means, including high-
quality career and technical education, dual or concurrent
programs, virtual learning, or work-based learning.
(f) Geographic Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure that
consideration is given to geographic distribution (such as urban,
Tribal, and rural areas) in awarding grants under this section.
(g) Performance Accountability.--For activities funded under this
section, the primary indicators of performance shall include--
(1) the performance metrics described in section
116(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(ii));
(2) the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate and the
extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate in a State that
chooses to use such a graduation rate; and
(3) the rate of attaining a recognized equivalent of a
diploma, such as a general equivalency diploma.
(h) Reports.--
(1) In general.--For each year that a local community
partnership carries out activities and services with a grant
under this section, the partnership shall submit to the State
board in which the partnership is carrying out activities under
this section, and to the Secretary of Labor, a report on--
(A) the number of youth participating in activities
under subsection (d), including the number of in-school
and out-of-school youth;
(B) the expenditures made from the grant awarded
under this section, including any expenditures made to
provide youth participants with supportive services;
(C) a description of the activities and services
assisted under this section, including supportive
services provided and the number of youth participants
accessing such services;
(D) information specifying the levels of
performance achieved with respect to the primary
indicators of performance described in subsection (g)
for the program; and
(E) any other information that the Secretary of
Labor determines necessary to monitor the effectiveness
of the program.
(2) Disaggregation.--The information required to be
reported under subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) of paragraph (1)
shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, age, and status
as a subpopulation described in subclauses (I) through (VI) of
section 129(a)(1)(B)(iii) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1)(B)(iii)).
SEC. 7. LABOR STANDARDS.
Any activity receiving assistance under this Act shall be subject
to--
(1) the requirements and restrictions, including the labor
standards, that apply to activities under title I of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et
seq.) as provided under section 181 of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241);
(2) the requirements for nondiscrimination that apply to
activities under such title as provided under section 188 of
such Act (29 U.S.C. 3248); and
(3) any other applicable Federal law.
SEC. 8. PRIVACY.
Nothing in this Act--
(1) shall be construed to supersede the privacy protections
afforded parents and students under section 444 of the General
Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g);
(2) shall be construed to permit the development of a
national database of personally identifiable information on
individuals receiving services under this Act; or
(3) shall require the disaggregation of data when the
number of individuals in a category is insufficient to yield
statistically reliable information or when the results would
reveal personally identifiable information about an individual,
or would reveal such information when combined with other
released information.
SEC. 9. INNOVATION AND LEARNING.
Out of the amount reserved under section 3(a)(1), the Secretary of
Labor shall--
(1) provide technical assistance to ensure each State,
local area, and local community partnership receiving funds
under this Act have sufficient organizational capacity, staff
training, and expertise to effectively implement the
requirements under this Act;
(2) create regional and national opportunities for virtual
or in-person peer learning; and
(3) provide, on a competitive basis, grants to States and
local areas to--
(A) conduct pilot programs and demonstration
programs using emerging and evidence-based best
practices and models for youth employment programs; and
(B) evaluate such programs using designs that
employ the most rigorous analytical and statistical
methods that are reasonably feasible.
SEC. 10. EVALUATION AND REPORTS.
(a) Evaluation.--The Secretary of Labor shall conduct, on an annual
basis, a rigorous evaluation of the programs administered under this
Act using research approaches appropriate to the level of development
and maturity of the program, including random assignment or quasi-
experimental impact evaluations, implementation evaluations, pre-
experimental studies, and feasibility studies.
(b) Reports to Congress.--Beginning on the date of the completion
of the first program year after the date of enactment of this Act for
which funds are expended to carry out this Act, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall transmit to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and
make publicly accessible, the reports described in sections 4(g), 5(g),
and 6(h), and a final report on the results of each evaluation
conducted under subsection (a).
SEC. 11. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided, any term
used in this Act that is defined in section 3 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) shall have the
meaning given the term in such section.
(2) Apprenticeship.--The term ``apprenticeship'' means an
apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16,
1937 (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50
Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
(3) ESEA terms.--The terms ``dual or concurrent
enrollment'', ``extended-year adjusted cohort graduation
rate'', ``evidence-based'', ``four-year adjusted cohort
graduation rate'', ``local educational agency'', and
``secondary school'' have the meanings given such terms in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(4) Native american terms.--The terms ``Alaska Native
entity'', ``Indian'', ``Indian tribe'', ``National Hawaiian
organization'', and ``tribal organization'' have the meanings
given such terms in section 166 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221).
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in sections 101 and 102(a)(1)(B) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001, 1002(a)(1)(B)).
(6) Pre-apprenticeship.--The term ``pre-apprenticeship''
means a training model or program that--
(A) is designed to prepare participants to enter an
apprenticeship program;
(B) is carried out by a sponsor that has a written
agreement with 1 or more sponsors of apprenticeship
programs that would enable participants who
successfully complete the pre-apprenticeship program--
(i) to enter into the apprenticeship
program if a place in the program is available
and if the participant meets the qualifications
of the apprenticeship program; and
(ii) to earn credits towards the
apprenticeship program; and
(C) includes--
(i) training (including a curriculum for
the training) aligned with industry standards
related to an apprenticeship program created in
consultation with sponsors of the
apprenticeship program that are parties to the
written agreement under subparagraph (B), and
that will prepare participants by teaching the
skills and competencies needed to enter 1 or
more apprenticeship programs; and
(ii) hands-on training and theoretical
education for participants that do not displace
a paid employee.
(7) Program year.--The term ``program year'' as used in
this Act is used in the manner as such term is used with
respect to youth workforce investment activities under subtitle
B of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3161 et seq.) and activities under section 171 of
such Act (29 U.S.C. 3226).
(8) Supportive services.--The term ``supportive services''
means services such as transportation, child care, dependent
care, housing, needs-related payments, food and nutrition
services, and health and mental health care supports that are
necessary to enable an individual to participate in activities
authorized under this Act.
(9) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based learning''
has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
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