119-hr1132

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1132 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 1132

 To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the 
 Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-
 quality workforce development programs.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 February 7, 2025

Mrs. McBath (for herself, Mr. Takano, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Mannion, and Mr. 
 Thompson of California) introduced the following bill; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the 
 Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-
 quality workforce development programs.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES GRANT PROGRAM.

 Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``

SEC. 173. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 
 GRANTS PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of this section are--
 ``

    (1) to establish, improve, or expand high-quality 
 workforce development programs at community colleges; and
 ``

    (2) to expand opportunities for individuals to obtain 
 recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally or 
 regionally portable and stackable for high-skill, high-wage, or 
 in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
 ``

    (b) Strengthening Community Colleges Workforce Development Grants 
Program.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated to carry 
 out this section under paragraph

    (3) and not reserved under 
 paragraph

    (2) , the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, 
 make grants to eligible institutions to carry out the 
 activities described in subsection

    (e) .
 ``

    (2) Reservation.--Of the amounts appropriated to carry 
 out this section under paragraph

    (3) , the Secretary may reserve 
 not more than two percent for the administration of grants 
 awarded under this section, including--
 ``
        (A) providing technical assistance and targeted 
 outreach to support eligible institutions serving a 
 high number or high percentage of low-income 
 individuals or individuals with barriers to employment, 
 and rural-serving eligible institutions, to provide 
 guidance and assistance in the process of applying for 
 grants under this section; and
 ``
        (B) evaluating and reporting on the performance 
 and impact of programs funded under this section in 
 accordance with subsections

    (f) through

    (h) .
 ``

    (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
 $65,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
 ``
            (c) Award Period.--
 ``

    (1) Initial grant period.--Each grant under this section 
 shall be awarded for an initial period of not more than 4 
 years.
 ``

    (2) Subsequent grants.--An eligible institution that 
 receives an initial grant under this section may receive one or 
 more additional grants under this section for additional 
 periods of not more than 4 years each if the eligible 
 institution demonstrates that, during the most recently 
 completed grant period for a grant received under this section, 
 such eligible institution achieved the levels of performance 
 agreed to by the eligible institution with respect to the 
 performance indicators specified in subsection

    (f) .
 ``
            (d) Application.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
 this section, an eligible institution shall submit an 
 application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as 
 the Secretary may require.
 ``

    (2) Contents.--An application submitted by an eligible 
 institution under paragraph

    (1) shall include a description of 
 each the following:
 ``
        (A) The extent to which the eligible institution 
 has demonstrated success building partnerships with 
 employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations 
 to provide students with the skills needed for 
 occupations in such industries and an explanation of 
 the results of any such partnerships.
 ``
        (B) The methods and strategies the eligible 
 institution will use to engage with employers in in-
 demand industry sectors or occupations, including any 
 arrangements to place individuals who complete the 
 workforce development programs supported by the grant 
 into employment with such employers.
 ``
            (C) The proposed eligible institution and 
 industry partnership that the eligible institution will 
 establish or maintain to comply with subsection

    (e)

    (1) , 
 including--
 ``
            (i) the roles and responsibilities of 
 each employer, organization, agency, or 
 institution of higher education that the 
 eligible institution will partner with to carry 
 out the activities under this section; and
 ``
            (ii) the needs that will be addressed by 
 such eligible institution and industry 
 partnership.
 ``
            (D) One or more industries that such partnership 
 will target and real-time labor market data 
 demonstrating that those industries are aligned with 
 employer demand in the geographic area to be served by 
 the eligible institution.
 ``
        (E) The extent to which the eligible institution 
 can--
 ``
            (i) leverage additional resources to 
 support the programs to be funded with the 
 grant, which shall include written commitments 
 of any leveraged or matching funds for the 
 proposed programs; and
 ``
            (ii) demonstrate the future 
 sustainability of each such program.
 ``
        (F) The steps the institution will take to ensure 
 the high quality of each program to be funded with the 
 grant, including the career pathways within such 
 programs.
 ``
        (G) The population and geographic area to be 
 served by the eligible institution, including the 
 number of individuals the eligible institution intends 
 to serve during the grant period.
 ``
        (H) The workforce development programs to be 
 supported by the grant.
 ``
            (I) The recognized postsecondary credentials that 
 are expected to be earned by participants in such 
 workforce development programs and the related high-
 wage, high skill, or in-demand industry sectors or 
 occupations for which such programs will prepare 
 participants.
 ``
        (J) The evidence upon which the education and 
 skills development strategies to be used in such 
 workforce development programs are based and an 
 explanation of how such evidence influenced the design 
 of the programs to improve education and employment 
 outcomes.
 ``
        (K) How activities of the eligible institution 
 are expected to align with the workforce strategies 
 identified in--
 ``
            (i) any State plan or local plan 
 submitted under this Act by the State, outlying 
 area, or locality in which the eligible 
 institution is expected to operate;
 ``
            (ii) any State plan submitted under 
 

section 122 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
 Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 
 2342) by such State or outlying area; and
 ``
            (iii) any economic development plan of 
 the chief executive of such State or outlying 
 area.
 ``
            (L) The goals of the eligible institution with 
 respect to--
 ``
            (i) capacity building (as described in 
 subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (B) ); and
 ``
            (ii) the expected performance of 
 individuals participating in the programs to be 
 offered by the eligible institution, including 
 with respect to any performance indicators 
 applicable under 

section 116 or subsection

    (f) of this section.
 ``

    (3) Consideration of previous experience.--The Secretary 
 may not disqualify an eligible institution from receiving a 
 grant under this section solely because such institution lacks 
 previous experience in building partnerships, as described in 
 paragraph

    (2)
        (A) .
 ``

    (4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
 Secretary shall give priority to eligible institutions that--
 ``
        (A) will use the grant to serve--
 ``
            (i) individuals with barriers to 
 employment; or
 ``
            (ii) incumbent workers who need to gain 
 or improve foundational skills to enhance their 
 employability;
 ``
        (B) use competency-based assessments to award 
 academic credit for prior learning for programs 
 supported by the grant, such as any competency-based 
 assessment developed and identified by the State in 
 which the eligible institution is located, in 
 coordination with industry organizations, employers 
 (including small and mid-sized employers), industry or 
 sector partnerships, training providers, local boards, 
 and institutions of higher education; and
 ``
            (C) have, or will seek to have, the career 
 education programs supported by the grant included on 
 the list of eligible providers of training services 
 under 

section 122 for the State in which the eligible 
 institution is located.
 ``

    (e) Uses of Funds.--
 ``

    (1) Eligible institution and industry partnership.--For 
 the purpose of carrying out the activities specified in 
 paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) , an eligible institution that receives a 
 grant under this section shall establish a partnership (or 
 continue an existing partnership) with one or more employers in 
 an in-demand industry sector or occupation (in this section 
 referred to as an `eligible institution and industry 
 partnership') and shall maintain such partnership for the 
 duration of the grant period. The eligible institution shall 
 ensure that the partnership--
 ``
        (A) targets one or more specific high-skill, 
 high-wage, or in-demand industries;
 ``
        (B) includes collaboration with the workforce 
 development system;
 ``
            (C) serves adult and dislocated workers, 
 incumbent workers, and new entrants to the workforce;
 ``
            (D) uses an evidence-based program design that is 
 appropriate for the activities carried out by the 
 partnership;
 ``
        (E) incorporates work-based learning 
 opportunities, as defined in 

section 3 of the Carl D. 
 Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
 U.S.C. 2302); and
 ``
        (F) incorporates, to the extent appropriate, 
 virtual service delivery to facilitate technology-
 enabled learning.
 ``

    (2) Required activities.--An eligible institution that 
 receives a grant under this section shall, in consultation with 
 the employers in the eligible institution and industry 
 partnership described in paragraph

    (1) --
 ``
        (A) establish, improve, or expand high quality, 
 evidence-based workforce development programs, career 
 pathway programs, or work-based learning programs 
 (including apprenticeship programs or 
 preapprenticeships);
 ``
        (B) provide career services to individuals 
 participating in the programs funded with the grant to 
 facilitate retention and program completion, which may 
 include--
 ``
            (i) career navigation, coaching, 
 mentorship, and case management services, 
 including providing information and outreach to 
 individuals with barriers to employment to 
 encourage such individuals to participate in 
 programs funded with the grant; and
 ``
            (ii) providing access to course 
 materials, technological devices, required 
 equipment, and other supports necessary for 
 participation in and successful completion of 
 such programs; and
 ``
            (C) make available, in a format that is open, 
 searchable, and easily comparable, information on--
 ``
            (i) curricula and recognized 
 postsecondary credentials offered through 
 programs funded with the grant, including any 
 curricula or credentials created or further 
 developed using such grant, which for each 
 recognized postsecondary credential, shall 
 include--
 ``
            (I) the issuing entity of such 
 credential;
 ``
            (II) any third-party endorsements 
 of such credential;
 ``
            (III) the occupations for which 
 the credential prepares individuals;
 ``
            (IV) the skills and competencies 
 necessary to achieve to earn such 
 credential;
 ``
            (V) the level of mastery of such 
 skills and competencies (including how 
 mastery is assessed); and
 ``
            (VI) any transfer value or 
 stackability of the credential;
 ``
            (ii) any skills or competencies developed 
 by individuals who participate in such programs 
 beyond the skills and competencies identified 
 as part of the recognized postsecondary 
 credential awarded; and
 ``
            (iii) related employment and earnings 
 outcomes on the primary indicators of 
 performance described in subclauses
            (I) through
            (III) of 

section 116

    (b)

    (2)
        (A)
            (i) , except that 
 subclause
            (II) of such section shall be applied 
 by--
 ``
            (I) substituting `second' for 
 `fourth'; and
 ``
            (II) as if `and remain in 
 unsubsidized employment during the 
 fourth quarter after exit from the 
 program' were inserted after `the 
 program'.
 ``

    (3) Additional activities.--In addition to the activities 
 required under paragraph

    (2) , an eligible institution that 
 receives a grant under this section shall, in consultation with 
 the employers in the eligible institution and industry 
 partnership described in paragraph

    (1) , carry out one or more 
 of the following activities:
 ``
        (A) Establish, improve, or expand--
 ``
            (i) articulation agreements (as defined 
 in 

section 486A

    (a) of the Higher Education Act 
 of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1093a

    (a) ));
 ``
            (ii) credit transfer agreements;
 ``
            (iii) corequisite remediation programs 
 that enable a student to receive remedial 
 education services while enrolled in a 
 postsecondary course rather than requiring the 
 student to receive remedial education before 
 enrolling in a such a course;
 ``
            (iv) dual or concurrent enrollment 
 programs;
 ``
            (v) competency-based education and 
 assessment; or
 ``
            (vi) policies and processes to award 
 academic credit for prior learning or for the 
 programs described in paragraph

    (2)
        (A) .
 ``
        (B) Establish or implement plans for providers of 
 the programs described in paragraph

    (2)
        (A) to meet the 
 criteria and carry out the procedures necessary to be 
 included on the eligible training services provider 
 list described in 

section 122
            (d) .
 ``
            (C) Purchase, lease, or refurbish specialized 
 equipment as necessary to carry out such programs, 
 provided that not more than 15 percent of the funds 
 awarded to the eligible institution under this section 
 may be used for activities described in this 
 subparagraph.
 ``
            (D) Reduce or eliminate unmet financial need 
 relating to the cost of attendance (as defined under 
 

section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 1087ll)) of participants in such programs.
 ``

    (4) Administrative cost limit.--An eligible institution 
 may use not more than 7 percent of the funds awarded under this 
 section for administrative costs, including costs related to 
 collecting information, analysis, and coordination for purposes 
 of subsection

    (f) .
 ``

    (f) Performance Levels and Performance Reviews.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and 
 implement guidance that establishes the levels of performance 
 that are expected to be achieved by each eligible institution 
 receiving a grant under this section. Such performance levels 
 shall be established on the following indicators:
 ``
        (A) Each of the primary indicators of performance 
 for adults described in 

section 116

    (b) , which shall be 
 applied for all individuals who participated in a 
 program that received funding from a grant under this 
 section.
 ``
        (B) The extent to which the eligible institution 
 built capacity by--
 ``
            (i) increasing the breadth and depth of 
 employer engagement and investment in workforce 
 development programs in the in-demand industry 
 sectors and occupations targeted by the 
 eligible institution and industry partnership 
 established or maintained by the eligible 
 institution under subsection

    (e)

    (1) ;
 ``
            (ii) designing or implementing new and 
 accelerated instructional techniques or 
 technologies, including the use of advanced 
 online and technology-enabled learning (such as 
 immersive technology); and
 ``
            (iii) increasing program and policy 
 alignment across systems and decreasing 
 duplicative services or service gaps.
 ``
            (C) With respect to individuals who participated 
 in a workforce development program funded with the 
 grant--
 ``
            (i) the percentage of participants who 
 successfully completed the program; and
 ``
            (ii) of the participants who were 
 incumbent workers at the time of enrollment in 
 the program, the percentage who advanced into 
 higher level positions during or after 
 completing the program.
 ``

    (2) Consultation and determination of performance 
 levels.--
 ``
        (A) Consideration.--In developing performance 
 levels in accordance with paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary 
 shall take into consideration the goals of the eligible 
 institution pursuant to subsection
            (d) (2)
            (L) .
 ``
        (B) Determination.--After completing the 
 consideration required under subparagraph
        (A) , the 
 Secretary shall separately determine the performance 
 levels that will apply to each eligible institution, 
 taking into account--
 ``
            (i) the expected performance levels of 
 each eligible institution with respect to the 
 goals described by the eligible institution 
 pursuant to subsection
            (d) (2)
            (L) ; and
 ``
            (ii) local economic conditions in the 
 geographic area to be served by the eligible 
 institution, including differences in 
 unemployment rates and job losses or gains in 
 particular industries.
 ``
            (C) Notice and acknowledgment.--
 ``
            (i) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide 
 each eligible institution with a written 
 notification that sets forth the performance 
 levels that will apply to the eligible 
 institution, as determined under subparagraph
        (B) .
 ``
            (ii) Acknowledgment.--After receiving the 
 notification described in clause
            (i) , each 
 eligible institution shall submit to the 
 Secretary written confirmation that the 
 eligible institution--
 ``
            (I) received the notification; 
 and
 ``
            (II) agrees to be evaluated in 
 accordance with the performance levels 
 determined by the Secretary.
 ``

    (3) Performance reviews.--On an annual basis during each 
 year of the grant period, the Secretary shall evaluate the 
 performance during such year of each eligible institution 
 receiving a grant under this section in a manner consistent 
 with the performance levels determined for such institution 
 pursuant to paragraph

    (2) .
 ``

    (4) Failure to meet performance levels.--After conducting 
 an evaluation under paragraph

    (3) , if the Secretary determines 
 that an eligible institution did not achieve the performance 
 levels applicable to the eligible institution under paragraph

    (2) , the Secretary shall--
 ``
        (A) provide technical assistance to the eligible 
 institution; and
 ``
        (B) develop a performance improvement plan for 
 the eligible institution.
 ``

    (g) Evaluations and Reports.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date on 
 which the first grant is made under this section, the Secretary 
 shall design and conduct an evaluation to determine the overall 
 effectiveness of the eligible institutions receiving a grant 
 under this section.
 ``

    (2) Elements.--The evaluation of the effectiveness of 
 eligible institutions conducted under paragraph

    (1) shall 
 include an assessment of the general effectiveness of programs 
 and activities supported by the grants awarded to such eligible 
 institutions under this section, including the extent to which 
 the programs and activities--
 ``
        (A) developed new, or expanded existing, 
 successful industry sector strategies, including the 
 extent to which such eligible institutions deepened 
 employer engagement and developed workforce development 
 programs that met industry skill needs;
 ``
        (B) created, expanded, or enhanced career 
 pathways, including the extent to which the eligible 
 institutions developed or improved competency-based 
 education and assessment, credit for prior learning, 
 modularized and self-paced curricula, integrated 
 education and workforce development, dual enrollment in 
 secondary and postsecondary career pathways, stacked 
 and latticed credentials, and online and distance 
 learning;
 ``
            (C) created alignment between eligible 
 institutions and the workforce development system;
 ``
            (D) assisted individuals with finding, retaining, 
 or advancing in employment;
 ``
        (E) assisted individuals with earning recognized 
 postsecondary credentials; and
 ``
        (F) provided equal access to various demographic 
 groups, including people of different geographic 
 locations, ages, races, national origins, and sexes.
 ``

    (3) Design requirements.--The evaluation under this 
 subsection shall--
 ``
        (A) be designed by the Secretary (acting through 
 the Chief Evaluation Officer) in conjunction with the 
 eligible institutions being evaluated;
 ``
        (B) include analysis of program participant 
 feedback and outcome and process measures; and
 ``
            (C) use designs that employ the most rigorous 
 analytical and statistical methods that are reasonably 
 feasible, such as the use of control groups.
 ``

    (4) Data accessibility.--The Secretary shall make 
 available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of 
 Labor any data collected as part of the evaluation under this 
 subsection. Such data shall be made available in an aggregated 
 format that does not reveal personally identifiable information 
 and that ensures compliance with relevant Federal laws, 
 including 

section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act 
 (commonly known as the `Family Educational Rights and Privacy 
 Act of 1974') (20 U.S.C. 1232g).
 ``

    (5) Publication and reporting of evaluation 

=== findings ===
-
 The Secretary (acting through the Chief Evaluation Officer) 
 shall--
 ``
        (A) in accordance with the timeline determined to 
 be appropriate by the Chief Evaluation Officer, publish 
 an interim report on the preliminary results of the 
 evaluation conducted under this subsection;
 ``
        (B) not later than 60 days after the date on 
 which the evaluation is completed under this 
 subsection, submit 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 a report on such evaluation; and
 ``
            (C) not later than 90 days after such completion 
 date, publish and make the results of such evaluation 
 available on a publicly accessible website of the 
 Department of Labor.
 ``

    (h) Annual Reports.--The Secretary shall make available on a 
publicly accessible website of the Department of Labor, in transparent, 
linked, open, and interoperable data formats, the following 
information:
 ``

    (1) The performance of eligible institutions on the 
 capacity-building performance indicator set forth under 
 subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (B) .
 ``

    (2) The performance of eligible institutions on the 
 workforce development participant outcome performance 
 indicators set forth under subsection

    (f)

    (1)
            (C) .
 ``

    (3) The number of individuals enrolled in workforce 
 development programs funded with a grant under this section.
 ``
            (i) === Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Community college.--The term `community college' 
 means--
 ``
        (A) a public institution of higher education (as 
 defined in 

section 101

    (a) of the Higher Education Act 
 (20 U.S.C. 1001

    (a) ), at which--
 ``
            (i) the highest degree awarded is an 
 associate degree; or
 ``
            (ii) an associate degree is the most 
 frequently awarded degree;
 ``
        (B) a branch campus of a 4-year public 
 institution of higher education (as defined in 

section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1001)), if, at such branch campus--
 ``
            (i) the highest degree awarded is an 
 associate degree; or
 ``
            (ii) an associate degree is the most 
 frequently awarded degree;
 ``
            (C) a 2-year Tribal College or University (as 
 defined in 

section 316

    (b)

    (3) of the Higher Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c

    (b)

    (3) )); or
 ``
            (D) a degree-granting Tribal College or 
 University (as defined in 

section 316

    (b)

    (3) of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c

    (b)

    (3) )) 
 at which--
 ``
            (i) the highest degree awarded is an 
 associate degree; or
 ``
            (ii) an associate degree is the most 
 frequently awarded degree.
 ``

    (2) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible 
 institution' means--
 ``
        (A) a community college;
 ``
        (B) a postsecondary vocational institution (as 
 defined in 

section 102
            (c) of the Higher Education Act 
 of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002
            (c) )); or
 ``
            (C) a consortium of such colleges or 
 institutions.
 ``

    (j) Supplement Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this 
section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, 
State, and local public funds made available for carrying out the 
activities described in this section.''.
 <all>