[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1298 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1298
To award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education,
retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award
grants to support family caregivers.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 26, 2023
Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Reed, Ms. Smith, Ms. Hassan, Mr.
Whitehouse, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education,
retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award
grants to support family caregivers.
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 ``Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce
and Family Caregivers Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Apprenticeship program.--The term ``apprenticeship
program'' 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.), including any requirement, standard, or rule
promulgated under such Act.
(2) Community college.--The term ``community college''
means a public institution of higher education at which the
highest degree that is predominantly awarded to students is an
associate's degree, including Tribal Colleges or Universities
receiving grants under section 316 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c) that offer a 2-year program for
completion of such degree and State public institutions of
higher education that offer such a 2-year program.
(3) Direct care professional.--The term ``direct care
professional''--
(A) means an individual who, in exchange for
compensation, provides services to a person with a
disability or an older individual that promotes the
independence of such person or individual, including--
(i) services that enhance the independence
and community inclusion for such person or
individual, including traveling with such
person or individual or attending and assisting
such person or individual while visiting
friends and family, shopping, or socializing;
(ii) services such as coaching and
supporting such person or individual in
communicating needs, achieving self-expression,
pursuing personal goals, living independently,
and participating actively in employment or
voluntary roles in the community;
(iii) services such as providing assistance
with activities of daily living (such as
feeding, bathing, toileting, and ambulation)
and with tasks such as meal preparation,
shopping, light housekeeping, and laundry;
(iv) services that support such person or
individual at home, work, school, or in any
other community setting; or
(v) services that promote health and
wellness, including scheduling and taking such
person or individual to health care
appointments, communicating with health and
allied health professionals administering
medications, implementing health and behavioral
health interventions and treatment plans,
monitoring and recording health status and
progress; and
(B) may include--
(i) a direct support professional
supporting people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities;
(ii) a home and community-based services
manager or direct support professional manager;
(iii) a self-directed care worker;
(iv) a personal care service worker;
(v) a direct care worker, as defined in
section 799B of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 295p); or
(vi) any other position or job related to
the home care or direct care workforce, such as
positions or jobs in respite care or palliative
care, as determined by the Secretary, in
consultation with the Center for Medicare &
Medicaid Services and the Secretary of Labor.
(4) Direct care workforce.--The term ``direct care
workforce'' means the broad workforce of direct care
professionals.
(5) Family caregiver.--The term ``family caregiver'' has
the meaning given such term in section 2 of the RAISE Family
Caregivers Act (42 U.S.C. 3030s note; Public Law 115-119) and
includes paid and unpaid family caregivers.
(6) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an
entity--
(A) that is--
(i) a State;
(ii) a labor organization, joint labor-
management organization, or employer of direct
care professionals;
(iii) a nonprofit entity with experience in
aging, disability, or supporting the rights and
interests of, training of, or educating direct
care professionals or family caregivers;
(iv) an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization,
or Urban Indian organization;
(v) a community college or other
institution of higher education; or
(vi) a consortium of entities listed in any
of clauses (i) through (v);
(B) that agrees to include, as applicable with
respect to the type of grant the entity is seeking
under this Act and the activities supported through
such grant, older individuals, people with
disabilities, direct care professionals, and family
caregivers, as advisors and trainers in such
activities; and
(C) that agrees to consult with the State Medicaid
agency of the State (or each State) served by the grant
on the grant activities, to the extent that such agency
(or each such agency) is not the eligible entity.
(7) Employer.--The terms ``employ'' and ``employer'' have
the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203 et seq.).
(8) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms ``Indian
Tribe'' and ``Tribal organization'' have the meanings given
such terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(9) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' means--
(A) an institution of higher education defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001); or
(B) an institution of higher education defined in
section 102(a)(1)(B) of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1002(a)(1)(B)).
(10) Older individual.--The term ``older individual'' means
an individual who is 60 years of age or older.
(11) Person with a disability.--The term ``person with
disability'' means an individual with a disability, as defined
in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12102).
(12) Project participant.--The term ``project participant''
means an individual participating in a project or activity
assisted with a grant under this Act, including (as applicable
for the category of the grant) a direct care professional, or
an individual training to be such a professional, or a family
caregiver.
(13) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator
for Community Living.
(14) Self-directed care professional.--The term ``self-
directed care professional'' means a direct care professional
who is employed by an individual who is an older individual, a
person with a disability, or a representative of such older
individual or person with a disability, and such older
individual or person with a disability has the decision-making
authority over certain supports and services provided by the
direct care professional and takes direct responsibility to
manage those supports and services.
(15) Supportive services.--The term ``supportive services''
means services that are necessary to enable an individual to
participate in activities assisted with a grant under this Act,
such as transportation, child care, dependent care, housing,
workplace accommodations, employee benefits such as paid sick
leave and child care, workplace health and safety protections,
wages and overtime pay, and needs-related payments.
(16) Urban indian organization.--The term ``urban Indian
organization'' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).
(17) Workforce innovation and opportunity act terms.--The
terms ``career pathway'', ``career planning'', ``in-demand
industry sector or occupation'', ``individual with a barrier to
employment'', ``local board'', ``on-the-job training'',
``recognized postsecondary credential'', ``region'', and
``State board'' have the meanings given such terms in section 3
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3102).
(18) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based learning''
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR
BUILDING THE DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall establish a national
technical assistance center (referred to in this section as the
``Center'') for, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the
Secretary of Education, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, and the heads of other entities as necessary--
(1) supporting direct care workforce creation, training and
education, recruitment, retention, and advancement; and
(2) supporting family caregivers and activities of family
caregivers as a critical part of the support team for older
individuals or people with disabilities.
(b) Advisory Council.--The Secretary shall convene an advisory
council to provide recommendations to the Center with respect to the
duties of the Center under this section and may engage individuals and
entities described in paragraphs (3)(B), and (12), of section 5(b)
(without regard to a specific project described in such paragraphs) for
service on the advisory council.
(c) Activities.--The Center may--
(1) develop recommendations for training and education
curricula for direct care professionals, which such
recommendations may include recommendations for curricula for
higher education, postsecondary credentials, and programs with
community colleges;
(2) develop learning and dissemination strategies to--
(A) engage States and other entities in activities
supported under this Act and best practices; and
(B) distribute findings from activities supported
by grants under this Act;
(3) develop recommendations for training and education
curricula and other strategies for supporting family
caregivers;
(4) explore the national data gaps, workforce shortage
areas, and data collection strategies for direct care
professionals and make recommendations to the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget for an occupation category in
the Standard Occupational Classification system for direct
support professionals as a healthcare support occupation;
(5) recommend career development and advancement
opportunities for direct care professionals, which may include
occupational frameworks, national standards, recruitment
campaigns, pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training
opportunities, apprenticeship programs, career ladders or
pathways, specializations or certifications, or other
activities; and
(6) develop strategies for assisting with reporting and
evaluation of grant activities under section 7.
SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO AWARD GRANTS.
(a) Grants.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Secretary of
Labor, and the Secretary of Education, shall award grants
described in paragraph (2) to eligible entities. A grant
awarded under this section may be in more than 1 category
described in such paragraph.
(2) Categories of grants.--The categories of grants
described in this paragraph are each of the following:
(A) Direct care professional grants.--Grants to
eligible entities to create and carry out projects for
the purposes of recruiting, retaining, or providing
advancement opportunities for direct care professionals
who are not described in subparagraph (B) or (C),
including through education or training programs for
such professionals or individuals seeking to become
such professionals.
(B) Direct care professional managers grants.--
Grants to eligible entities to create and carry out
projects for the purposes of recruiting, retaining, or
providing advancement opportunities for direct care
professionals who are managers or supervisory staff
that have coaching, training, managerial, supervisory,
or other oversight responsibilities, including through
education or training programs for such professionals
or individuals seeking to become such professionals.
(C) Self-directed care professionals grants.--
Grants to eligible entities to create and carry out
projects for the purposes of recruiting, retaining, or
providing advancement opportunities for self-directed
care professionals, including through education or
training programs for such professionals or individuals
seeking to become such professionals.
(D) Family caregiver grants.--Grants to eligible
entities to create and carry out projects for providing
support to paid or unpaid family caregivers through
educational, training, or other resources, including
resources for caregiver self-care or educational or
training resources for individuals newly in a
caregiving role or seeking additional support in the
role of a family caregiver.
(3) Projects for advancement opportunities.--Not less than
30 percent of projects assisted with grants under this Act
shall be projects to provide career pathways that offer
opportunities for professional development and advancement
opportunities to direct care professionals.
(b) Treatment of Continuation Activities.--An eligible entity that
carries out activities described in subsection (a)(2) prior to receipt
of a grant under this Act may use such grant to continue carrying out
such activities, and, in using such grant to continue such activities,
shall be treated as an eligible entity carrying out a project through a
grant under this Act.
SEC. 5. PROJECT PLANS.
(a) In General.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this Act
shall submit to the Secretary a project plan for each project to be
developed and carried out (including for activities to be continued as
described in section 4(b)) with the grant at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(b) Contents.--A project plan submitted by an eligible entity under
subsection (a) shall include a description of information determined
relevant by the Secretary for purposes of the category of the grant and
the activities to be carried out through the grant. Such information
may include (as applicable) the following:
(1) Demographic information regarding the population in the
State or relevant geographic area, including a description of
the populations likely to need long-term care services, such as
people with disabilities and older individuals.
(2) Projections of unmet need for services provided by
direct care professionals based on enrollment waiting lists
under home and community-based waivers under section 1115 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315) or section 1915(c) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396n(c)) and other relevant data to the
extent practicable and feasible, such as direct care workforce
vacancy rates, crude separation rates, and the number of direct
care professionals, including such professionals who are
managers or supervisors, in the region.
(3) An advisory committee to advise the eligible entity on
activities to be carried out through the grant. Such advisory
committee--
(A) may be comprised of entities listed in
paragraph (12); and
(B) shall include--
(i) older individuals or persons with a
disability;
(ii) organizations representing the rights
and interests of people receiving services by
the direct care professionals or family
caregivers targeted by the project;
(iii) individuals who are direct care
professionals or family caregivers targeted by
the project and organizations representing the
rights and interests of direct care
professionals or family caregivers;
(iv) as applicable, employers of
individuals described in clause (iii) and labor
organizations representing such individuals;
(v) representatives of the State Medicaid
agency, the State agency defined in section 102
of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3002), the State developmental disabilities
office, and the State mental health agency, in
the State (or each State) to be served by the
project; and
(vi) representatives reflecting diverse
racial, cultural, ethnic, geographic,
socioeconomic, and gender identity and sexual
orientation perspectives.
(4) Current or projected job openings for, or relevant
labor market information related to, the direct care
professionals targeted by the project in the State or region to
be served by the project, and the geographic scope of the
workforce to be served by the project.
(5) Specific efforts and strategies that the project will
undertake to reduce barriers to recruitment, retention, or
advancement of the direct care professionals targeted by the
project, including an assurance that such efforts will
include--
(A) an assessment of the wages or other
compensation or benefits necessary to recruit and
retain the direct care professionals targeted by the
project;
(B) a description of the project's projected
compensation or benefits for the direct care
professionals targeted by the project at the State or
local level, including a comparison of such projected
compensation or benefits to regional and national
compensation or benefits and a description of how wages
and benefits received by project participants will be
impacted by the participation in and completion of the
project; and
(C) a description of the projected impact of
workplace safety issues on the recruitment and
retention of direct care professionals targeted by the
project, including the availability of personal
protective equipment.
(6) In the case of a project offering an education or
training program for direct care professionals, a description
of such program (including how the core competencies identified
by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be
incorporated, curricula, models, and standards used under the
program, and any associated recognized postsecondary
credentials for which the program provides preparation, as
applicable), which shall include an assurance that such program
will provide to each project participant in such program--
(A) relevant training regarding the rights of
recipients of home and community based services,
including their rights to--
(i) receive services in integrated settings
that provide access to the broader community;
(ii) exercise self-determination;
(iii) be free from all forms of abuse,
neglect, or exploitation; and
(iv) person-centered planning and
practices, including participation in planning
activities;
(B) relevant training to ensure that each project
participant has the necessary skills to recognize abuse
and understand their obligations with regard to
reporting and responding to abuse appropriately in
accordance with relevant Federal and State law;
(C) relevant training regarding the provision of
culturally competent and disability competent supports
to recipients of services provided by the direct care
professionals targeted by the project;
(D) an apprenticeship program, work-based learning,
or on-the-job training opportunities;
(E) supervision or mentoring; and
(F) for any on-the-job training portion of the
program, a progressively increasing, clearly defined
schedule of wages to be paid to each such participant
that--
(i) is consistent with skill gains or
attainment of a recognized postsecondary
credential received as a result of
participation in or completion of such program;
and
(ii) ensures the entry wage is not less
than the greater of--
(I) the minimum wage required under
section 6(a) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
206(a)); or
(II) the applicable wage required
by other applicable Federal or State
law, or a collective bargaining
agreement.
(7) Any other innovative models or processes the eligible
entity will implement to support the retention and career
advancement of the direct care professionals targeted by the
project.
(8) The supportive services and benefits to be provided to
the project participants in order to support the employment,
retention, or career advancement of the direct care
professionals targeted by the project.
(9) How the eligible entity will make use of career
planning to support the identification of advancement
opportunities and career pathways for the direct care
professionals in the State or region to be served by the
project.
(10) How the eligible entity will collect and submit to the
Secretary workforce data and outcomes of the project.
(11) How the project--
(A) will--
(i) provide adequate and safe equipment and
facilities for training and supervision,
including a safe work environment free from
discrimination, which may include the provision
of personal protective equipment and other
necessary equipment to prevent the spread of
infectious disease among the direct care
professionals targeted by the project and
recipients of services provided by such
professionals;
(ii) incorporate remote training and
education opportunities or technology-supported
opportunities;
(iii) for training and education curricula,
incorporate evidenced-supported practices for
adult learners and universal design for
learning and ensure recipients of services
provided by the direct care professionals or
family caregivers targeted by the project
participate in the development and
implementation of such training and education
curricula;
(iv) use outreach, recruitment, and
retention strategies designed to reach and
retain a diverse workforce;
(v) incorporate methods to monitor
satisfaction with project activities for
project participants and individuals receiving
services from such participants;
(vi) incorporate evidence-supported
practices for family caregiver engagement; and
(vii) incorporate core competencies
identified by the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services; and
(B) may incorporate continuing education programs
and specialty training, with a specific focus on--
(i) trauma-informed care;
(ii) behavioral health, including co-
occurring behavioral health conditions and
intellectual or developmental disabilities;
(iii) Alzheimer's and dementia care;
(iv) chronic disease management; and
(v) the use of supportive or assistive
technology.
(12) How the eligible entity will consult on the
implementation of the project, or coordinate the project with,
each of the following entities, to the extent that each such
entity is not the eligible entity:
(A) The State Medicaid agency, State agency defined
in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3002), and the State developmental disabilities
office for the State (or each State) to be served by
the project.
(B) The local board and State board for each
region, or State, to be served by the project.
(C) In the case of a project that carries out an
education or training program, a nonprofit organization
with demonstrated experience in the development or
delivery of curricula or coursework.
(D) A nonprofit organization, including a labor
organization, that fosters the professional development
and collective engagement of the direct care
professionals targeted by the project.
(E) Area agencies on aging, as defined in section
102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3002).
(F) Centers for independent living, as described in
part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.).
(G) The State Council on Developmental Disabilities
(as such term is used in subtitle B of title I of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of
Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15021 et seq.)) for the
State (or each State) to be served by the project.
(H) Aging and Disability Resource Centers (as
defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)).
(I) A nonprofit State provider association that
represents providers who employ the direct care
professionals targeted by the project, where such
associations exist.
(J) An entity that employs the direct care
professionals targeted by the project.
(K) University Centers for Excellence in
Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and
Service supported under subtitle D of title I of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of
Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15061 et seq.).
(L) The State protection and advocacy system
described in section 143 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15043)
of the State (or each State) to be served by the
project.
(M) Direct care professionals or direct care
workforce organizations representing underserved
communities, including communities of color.
(13) How the eligible entity will consult throughout the
project with--
(A) individuals employed or working as the direct
care professionals or family caregivers targeted by the
project;
(B) representatives of such professionals or
caregivers;
(C) individuals assisted by such professionals or
caregivers;
(D) the families of such professionals or
caregivers; and
(E) individuals receiving education or training to
become such professionals or caregivers.
(14) Outreach efforts to individuals for participation in
such project, including targeted outreach efforts to--
(A) individuals who are recipients of assistance
under a State program funded under part A of title IV
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or
individuals who are eligible for such assistance; and
(B) individuals with barriers to employment.
(c) Considerations.--In selecting eligible entities to receive a
grant under this Act, the Secretary shall ensure--
(1) equitable geographic and demographic diversity,
including by selecting recipients serving rural areas and
selecting recipients serving urban areas; and
(2) that selected eligible entities will serve areas where
the occupation of direct care professional, or a related
occupation, is an in-demand industry sector or occupation.
SEC. 6. USES OF FUNDS; SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.
(a) Uses of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant
under this Act shall use the funds of such grant to carry out
at least 1 project described in section 4(a)(2).
(2) Administrative costs.--Each eligible entity receiving a
grant under this Act shall not use more than 5 percent of the
funds of such grant for costs associated with the
administration of activities under this Act.
(3) Direct support.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant
under this Act (except for a grant described in section
4(a)(2)(D)) shall use not less than 5 percent of the funds of
such grant to provide direct financial benefits or supportive
services to direct care professionals to support the financial
needs of such participants during the duration of the project
activities.
(b) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this Act shall use such grant only to supplement, and not
supplant, the amount of funds that, in the absence of such grant, would
be available to address the recruitment, training and education,
retention, and advancement of direct care professionals or provide
support for family caregivers, in the State or region served by the
eligible entity.
(c) Prohibition.--No amounts made available under this Act may be
used for any activity that is subject to the reporting requirements set
forth in section 203(a) of the Labor-Management Reporting and
Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 433(a)).
SEC. 7. EVALUATIONS AND REPORTS; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Reporting Requirements by Grant Recipients.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under
this Act shall cooperate with the Secretary and annually
provide a report to the Secretary that includes any relevant
data requested by the Secretary in a manner specified by the
Secretary.
(2) Contents.--The data requested by the Secretary for an
annual report may include any of the following (as determined
relevant by the Secretary with respect to the category of the
grant and each project supported through the grant):
(A) The number of individuals and the demographics
of these individuals served by each project supported
by the grant, including--
(i) the number of individuals recruited
through each such project to be employed as a
direct care professional;
(ii) the number of individuals who through
each such project attained employment as a
direct care professional; and
(iii) the number of individuals who
enrolled in each such project and withdrew or
were terminated from each such project without
completing training or attaining employment as
a direct care professional.
(B) The number of family caregivers participating
in an education or training program through each
project supported by the grant.
(C) The number of project participants who through
each such project participated in and completed--
(i) work-based learning;
(ii) on-the-job training;
(iii) an apprenticeship program; or
(iv) a professional development or
mentoring program.
(D)(i) Other services, benefits, or supports (other
than the services, benefits, or supports described in
subparagraph (C)) provided through each such project to
assist in the recruitment, retention, or advancement of
direct care professionals (including through education
or training for such professionals or individuals
seeking to become such professionals);
(ii) the number of individuals who accessed such
services, benefits, or supports; and
(iii) the impact of such services, benefits, or
supports.
(E) The crude separation and vacancy rates of
direct care professionals, and such rates for those
professionals who are managers or supervisors, in the
geographic region for a number of years before the
grant was awarded, as determined by the Secretary, and
annually thereafter for the duration of the grant
period.
(F) How each project supported by the grant
assessed satisfaction with respect to--
(i) project participants assisted by the
project;
(ii) individuals receiving services
delivered by project participants, including--
(I) any impact on the health or
health outcomes of such individuals;
and
(II) any impact on the ability of
individuals to transition to or remain
in the community in an environment that
meets the criteria established in the
section 441.301(c)(4) of title 42, Code
of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulations); and
(iii) employers of such project
participants.
(G) The performance of the eligible entity with
respect to the indicators of performance on
unsubsidized employment, median earnings, credential
attainment, measurable skill gains, and employer
satisfaction.
(H) Any other information with respect to outcomes
of the project as determined by the Secretary.
(b) Annual Report to Congress by Secretary.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter until
all projects supported through a grant under this Act are completed,
the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress an annual report on
the progress of each project supported through a grant under this Act
and the activities of the technical assistance center established under
section 3.
(c) GAO Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which all
projects supported through a grant under this Act are completed, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and
submit to Congress a report including--
(1) an assessment of how the technical assistance center
established under section 3 and the projects supported through
a grant under this Act assisted in the creation, recruitment,
training and education, retention, and advancement of the
direct care workforce or in providing support for family
caregivers; and
(2) recommendations for such legislative or administrative
actions needed for improving the assistance described in
paragraph (1), as the Comptroller General determines
appropriate.
(d) Independent Evaluations.--Not later than 6 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a
contract with an independent entity to provide independent evaluations
of activities supported by grants under this Act and activities of the
technical assistance center established under section 3.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
(1) for the establishment and activities of the technical
assistance center under section 3, $2,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2024 through 2028; and
(2) for grants under section 4, $1,000,000,000 for fiscal
year 2024.
(b) Availability.--Amounts made available under this Act shall
remain available until September 30, 2033.
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