119-hr2506

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2506 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 2506

 To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide 
 funding, on a competitive basis, for summer and year-round employment 
 opportunities for youth ages 14 through 24.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 31, 2025

Ms. Kelly of Illinois 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 provide 
 funding, on a competitive basis, for summer and year-round employment 
 opportunities for youth ages 14 through 24.

 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 ``Assisting In Developing Youth 
Employment Act'' or the ``AID Youth Employment Act''.

SEC. 2. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

 Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is 
amended--

    (1) by redesignating subtitle E (29 U.S.C. 3241 et seq.) as 
 subtitle F; and

    (2) by inserting after subtitle D (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) 
 the following:

 ``Subtitle E--Youth Employment Opportunities

``

SEC. 176. DEFINITIONS.

 ``In this subtitle:
 ``

    (1) Eligible youth.--The term `eligible youth' means an 
 individual who--
 ``
        (A) is not younger than age 14 or older than age 
 24; and
 ``
        (B) is--
 ``
            (i) an in-school youth;
 ``
            (ii) an out-of-school youth; or
 ``
            (iii) an unemployed individual.
 ``

    (2) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms `Indian 
 tribe' and `tribal organization' have the meanings given the 
 terms in 

section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
 Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
 ``

    (3) In-school youth; out-of-school youth.--The terms `in-
 school youth' and `out-of-school youth' have the meanings given 
 the terms in 

section 129

    (a)

    (1) .
 ``

    (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
 `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
 term in 

section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 1001).
 ``

    (5) Marginalized.--The term `marginalized', used with 
 respect to an individual, includes individuals who are 
 homeless, in foster care, involved in the juvenile or criminal 
 justice system, or are not enrolled in or at risk of dropping 
 out of an educational institution and who live in an 
 underserved community that has faced trauma through acute or 
 long-term exposure to substantial discrimination, historical or 
 cultural oppression, intergenerational poverty, civil unrest, a 
 high rate of violence, or a high rate of drug overdose 
 mortality.
 ``

    (6) Subsidized employment.--The term `subsidized 
 employment' means employment for which the employer receives a 
 total or partial subsidy to offset costs of employing an 
 eligible youth under this subtitle.
 ``

    (7) Tribal area.--The term `tribal area' means--
 ``
        (A) an area on or adjacent to an Indian 
 reservation;
 ``
        (B) land held in trust by the United States for 
 Indians;
 ``
            (C) a public domain Indian allotment;
 ``
            (D) a former Indian reservation in Oklahoma; and
 ``
        (E) land held by an incorporated Native group, 
 Regional Corporation, or Village Corporation under the 
 provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
 (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
 ``

    (8) Tribal college or university.--The term `tribal 
 college or university' has the meaning given the term `Tribal 
 College or University' in 

section 316

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

    (b) ).
 ``

    (9) Tribally designated housing entity.--The term 
 `tribally designated housing entity', used with respect to an 
 Indian tribe (as defined in this section), has the meaning 
 given in 

section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance 
 and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).

``

SEC. 176A. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.

 ``

    (a) Allocation.--Of the funds appropriated under 

section 176E 
that remain available after any reservation under subsection

    (b) , the 
Secretary may make available--
 ``

    (1) not more than $1,800,000,000 in accordance with 
 

section 176B to provide eligible youth with subsidized summer 
 employment opportunities; and
 ``

    (2) not more than $2,400,000,000 in accordance with 
 

section 176C to provide eligible youth with subsidized year-
 round employment opportunities.
 ``

    (b) Reservation.--The Secretary may reserve not more than 10 
percent of the funds appropriated under 

section 176E to provide 
technical assistance and oversight, in order to assist eligible 
entities in applying for and administering grants awarded under this 
subtitle.

``

SEC. 176B. SUMMER EMPLOYMENT COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) In General.--
 ``

    (1) Grants.--Using the amounts made available under 
 176A

    (a)

    (1) , the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, 
 planning and implementation grants.
 ``

    (2) General use of funds.--The Secretary shall award the 
 grants to assist eligible entities by paying for the program 
 share of the cost of--
 ``
        (A) in the case of a planning grant, planning a 
 summer youth employment program to provide subsidized 
 summer employment opportunities; and
 ``
        (B) in the case of an implementation grant, 
 implementation of such a program, to provide such 
 opportunities.
 ``

    (b) Periods and Amounts of Grants.--
 ``

    (1) Planning grants.--The Secretary may award a planning 
 grant under this section for a 1-year period, in an amount of 
 not more than $250,000.
 ``

    (2) Implementation grants.--The Secretary may award an 
 implementation grant under this section for a 3-year period, in 
 an amount of not more than $6,000,000.
 ``
            (c) Eligible Entities.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a planning or 
 implementation grant under this section, an entity shall--
 ``
        (A) be a--
 ``
            (i) State, local government, or Indian 
 tribe or tribal organization, that meets the 
 requirements of paragraph

    (2) ; or
 ``
            (ii) community-based organization that 
 meets the requirements of paragraph

    (3) ; and
 ``
        (B) meet the requirements for a planning or 
 implementation grant, respectively, specified in 
 paragraph

    (4) .
 ``

    (2) Government partnerships.--An entity that is a State, 
 local government, or Indian tribe or tribal organization 
 referred to in paragraph

    (1) shall demonstrate that the entity 
 has entered into a partnership with State, local, or tribal 
 entities--
 ``
        (A) that shall include--
 ``
            (i) a local educational agency or tribal 
 educational agency (as defined in 

section 6132 
 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
 of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452));
 ``
            (ii) a local board or tribal workforce 
 development agency;
 ``
            (iii) a State, local, or tribal agency 
 serving youth under the jurisdiction of the 
 juvenile justice system or criminal justice 
 system;
 ``
            (iv) a State, local, or tribal child 
 welfare agency;
 ``
            (v) a State, local, or tribal agency or 
 community-based organization, with--
 ``
            (I) expertise in providing 
 counseling services, and trauma-
 informed and gender-responsive trauma 
 prevention, identification, referral, 
 and support (including treatment) 
 services; and
 ``
            (II) a proven track record of 
 serving low-income vulnerable youth and 
 out-of-school youth;
 ``
            (vi) if the State, local government, or 
 Indian tribe or tribal organization is seeking 
 an implementation grant, and has not 
 established a summer youth employment program, 
 an entity that is carrying out a State, local, 
 or tribal summer youth employment program; and
 ``
            (vii) an employer or employer 
 association; and
 ``
        (B) that may include--
 ``
            (i) an institution of higher education or 
 tribal college or university;
 ``
            (ii) a representative of a labor or 
 labor-management organization;
 ``
            (iii) an entity that carries out a 
 program that receives funding under the 
 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act 
 of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.) or 

section 212 
 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 
 17532);
 ``
            (iv) a collaborative applicant as defined 
 in 

section 401 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
 Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360) or a private 
 nonprofit organization that serves homeless 
 individuals and households (including such an 
 applicant or organization that serves 
 individuals or households that are at risk of 
 homelessness in tribal areas) or serves foster 
 youth;
 ``
            (v) an entity that carries out a program 
 funded under the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
 Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 
 et seq.), including Native American programs 
 funded under 

section 116 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
 2326) and tribally controlled postsecondary 
 career and technical institution programs 
 funded under 

section 117 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
 2327);
 ``
            (vi) a local or tribal youth committee;
 ``
            (vii) a State or local public housing 
 agency or a tribally designated housing entity; 
 and
 ``
            (viii) another appropriate State, local, 
 or tribal agency.
 ``

    (3) Community-based organization partnerships.--A 
 community-based organization referred to in paragraph

    (1) shall 
 demonstrate that the organization has entered into a 
 partnership with State, local, or tribal entities--
 ``
        (A) that shall include--
 ``
            (i) a unit of general local government or 
 tribal government;
 ``
            (ii) an agency described in paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (i) ;
 ``
            (iii) a local board or tribal workforce 
 development agency;
 ``
            (iv) a State, local, or tribal agency 
 serving youth under the jurisdiction of the 
 juvenile justice system or criminal justice 
 system;
 ``
            (v) a State, local, or tribal child 
 welfare agency;
 ``
            (vi) if the organization is seeking an 
 implementation grant, and has not established a 
 summer youth employment program, an entity that 
 is carrying out a State, local, or tribal 
 summer youth employment program; and
 ``
            (vii) an employer or employer 
 association; and
 ``
        (B) that may include one or more entities 
 described in paragraph

    (2)
        (B) .
 ``

    (4) Entities eligible for particular grants.--
 ``
        (A) Entities eligible for planning grants.--The 
 Secretary may award a planning grant under this section 
 to an eligible entity that--
 ``
            (i) is preparing to establish or expand a 
 summer youth employment program that meets the 
 minimum requirements specified in subsection
            (d) ; and
 ``
            (ii) has not received a grant under this 
 section.
 ``
        (B) Entities eligible for implementation 
 grants.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--The Secretary may award 
 an implementation grant under this section to 
 an eligible entity that--
 ``
            (I) has received a planning grant 
 under this section; or
 ``
            (II) has established a summer 
 youth employment program and 
 demonstrates a minimum level of 
 capacity to enhance or expand the 
 summer youth employment program 
 described in the application submitted 
 under subsection
            (d) .
 ``
            (ii) Capacity.--In determining whether an 
 entity has the level of capacity referred to in 
 clause
            (i) 
            (II) , the Secretary may include as 
 capacity--
 ``
            (I) the entity's staff capacity 
 and staff training to deliver youth 
 employment services; and
 ``
            (II) the entity's existing youth 
 employment services (as of the date of 
 submission of the application submitted 
 under subsection
            (d) ) that are 
 consistent with the application.
 ``
            (d) Application.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , an 
 eligible entity desiring to receive a grant under this section 
 for a summer youth employment program shall submit an 
 application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
 containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
 including, at a minimum, each of the following:
 ``
        (A) With respect to an application for a planning 
 or implementation grant--
 ``
            (i) a description of the eligible youth 
 for whom summer employment services will be 
 provided;
 ``
            (ii) a description of the eligible 
 entity, and a description of the expected 
 participation and responsibilities of each of 
 the partners in the partnership described in 
 subsection
            (c) ;
 ``
            (iii) information demonstrating 
 sufficient need for the grant in the State, 
 local, or tribal population, which may include 
 information showing--
 ``
            (I) a high level of unemployment 
 among youth (including young adults) 
 ages 14 through 24;
 ``
            (II) a high rate of out-of-school 
 youth;
 ``
            (III) a high rate of 
 homelessness;
 ``
            (IV) a high rate of poverty;
 ``
            (V) a high rate of adult 
 unemployment;
 ``
            (VI) a high rate of community or 
 neighborhood crime;
 ``
            (VII) a high rate of violence; or
 ``
            (VIII) a high level or rate on 
 another indicator of need;
 ``
            (iv) a description of the strategic 
 objectives the eligible entity seeks to achieve 
 through the program to provide eligible youth 
 with core work readiness skills, which may 
 include--
 ``
            (I) financial literacy skills, 
 including providing the support 
 described in 

section 129

    (b)

    (2)
            (D) ;
 ``
            (II) sector-based technical 
 skills aligned with employer needs;
 ``
            (III) skills that--
 ``

    (aa) are soft employment 
 skills, early work skills, or 
 work readiness skills; and
 ``

    (bb) include social 
 skills, communications skills, 
 higher-order thinking skills, 
 self-control, and positive 
 self-concept; and
 ``
            (IV) (for the marginalized 
 eligible youth) basic skills like 
 communication, math, and problem 
 solving in the context of training for 
 advancement to better jobs and 
 postsecondary training; and
 ``
            (v) information demonstrating that the 
 eligible entity has obtained commitments to 
 provide the non-program share described in 
 paragraph

    (2) of subsection

    (h) .
 ``
        (B) With respect to an application for a planning 
 grant--
 ``
            (i) a description of the intermediate and 
 long-term goals for planning activities for the 
 duration of the planning grant;
 ``
            (ii) a description of how grant funds 
 will be used to develop a plan to provide 
 summer employment services for eligible youth;
 ``
            (iii) a description of how the eligible 
 entity will carry out an analysis of best 
 practices for identifying, recruiting, and 
 engaging program participants, in particular 
 the marginalized eligible youth;
 ``
            (iv) a description of how the eligible 
 entity will carry out an analysis of best 
 practices for placing youth participants--
 ``
            (I) in opportunities that--
 ``

    (aa) are appropriate 
 subsidized employment 
 opportunities with employers 
 based on factors including age, 
 skill, experience, career 
 aspirations, work-based 
 readiness, and barriers to 
 employment; and
 ``

    (bb) may include 
 additional services for 
 participants, including core 
 work readiness skill 
 development and mentorship 
 services;
 ``
            (II) in summer employment that--
 ``

    (aa) is not less than 6 
 weeks;
 ``

    (bb) follows a schedule 
 of not more than 20 hours per 
 week;
 ``
            (cc) pays wages at rates 
 not less than the applicable 
 Federal, State, or local 
 minimum wage rate; and
 ``
            (dd) for employment 
 involving construction, pays 
 wages at rates not less than 
 those previously on similar 
 construction in the locality as 
 determined by the Secretary in 
 accordance with subchapter IV 
 of chapter 31 of title 40, 
 United States Code (commonly 
 known as the `Davis-Bacon 
 Act'); and
 ``
            (v) a description of how the eligible 
 entity plans to develop a mentorship program or 
 connect youth with positive, supportive 
 mentorships, consistent with paragraph

    (3) .
 ``
            (C) With respect to an application for an 
 implementation grant--
 ``
            (i) a description of how the eligible 
 entity plans to identify, recruit, and engage 
 program participants, in particular the 
 marginalized eligible youth;
 ``
            (ii) a description of the manner in which 
 the eligible entity plans to place eligible 
 youth participants in subsidized employment 
 opportunities, and in summer employment, 
 described in subparagraph
        (B)
            (iv) ;
 ``
            (iii) (for a program serving the 
 marginalized eligible youth), a description of 
 workplaces for the subsidized employment 
 involved, which may include workplaces in the 
 public, private, and nonprofit sectors;
 ``
            (iv) a description of how the eligible 
 entity plans to provide or connect eligible 
 youth participants with positive, supportive 
 mentorships, consistent with paragraph

    (3) ;
 ``
            (v) a description of services that will 
 be available to employers participating in the 
 youth employment program, to provide 
 supervisors involved in the program with 
 coaching and mentoring on--
 ``
            (I) how to support youth 
 development;
 ``
            (II) how to structure learning 
 and reflection; and
 ``
            (III) how to deal with youth 
 challenges in the workplace;
 ``
            (vi) a description of how the eligible 
 entity plans to offer structured pathways back 
 into employment and a youth employment program 
 under this section for eligible youth who have 
 been terminated from employment or removed from 
 the program;
 ``
            (vii) a description of how the eligible 
 entity plans to engage eligible youth beyond 
 the duration of the summer employment 
 opportunity, which may include--
 ``
            (I) developing or partnering with 
 a year-round youth employment program;
 ``
            (II) referring eligible youth to 
 other year-round programs, which may 
 include--
 ``

    (aa) programs funded 
 under 

section 176C or the Carl 
 D. Perkins Career and Technical 
 Education Act of 2006 (20 
 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.);
 ``

    (bb) after school 
 programs;
 ``
            (cc) secondary or 
 postsecondary education 
 programs;
 ``
            (dd) training programs;
 ``

    (ee) cognitive behavior 
 therapy programs;
 ``

    (ff) apprenticeship 
 programs; and
 ``

    (gg) national service 
 programs;
 ``
            (III) employing a full-time, 
 permanent staff person who is 
 responsible for youth outreach, 
 followup, and recruitment; or
 ``
            (IV) connecting eligible youth 
 with job development services, 
 including career counseling, resume and 
 job application assistance, interview 
 preparation, and connections to job 
 leads;
 ``
            (viii) evidence of the eligible entity's 
 capacity to provide the services described in 
 this subsection; and
 ``
            (ix) a description of the quality of the 
 summer youth employment program, including a 
 program that leads to a recognized 
 postsecondary credential.
 ``

    (2) Indian tribe; tribal organizations.--An eligible 
 entity that is an Indian tribe or tribal organization and 
 desires to receive a grant under this section for a summer 
 youth employment program may, in lieu of submitting the 
 application described in paragraph

    (1) , submit an application 
 to the Secretary that meets such requirements as the Secretary 
 develops after consultation with the tribe or organization.
 ``

    (3) Mentor.--For purposes of subparagraphs
        (B)
            (iv) ,
        (B)
            (v) , and
            (C) 
            (iv) of paragraph

    (1) , a mentor--
 ``
        (A) shall be an individual who has been matched 
 with an eligible youth based on the youth's needs;
 ``
        (B) shall make contact with the eligible youth at 
 least once each week;
 ``
            (C) shall be a trusted member of the local 
 community; and
 ``
            (D) may include--
 ``
            (i) a mentor trained in trauma-informed 
 care (including provision of trauma-informed 
 trauma prevention, identification, referral, or 
 support services to youth that have experienced 
 or are at risk of experiencing trauma), 
 conflict resolution, and positive youth 
 development;
 ``
            (ii) a job coach trained to provide youth 
 with guidance on how to navigate the workplace 
 and troubleshoot problems;
 ``
            (iii) a supervisor trained to provide at 
 least two performance assessments and serve as 
 a reference; or
 ``
            (iv) a peer mentor who is a former or 
 current participant in the youth employment 
 program involved.
 ``

    (e) Awards for Populations and Areas.--
 ``

    (1) Populations.--The Secretary shall reserve, from the 
 amounts made available under 

section 176A

    (a)

    (1) --
 ``
        (A) 50 percent to award grants under this section 
 for planning or provision of subsidized summer 
 employment opportunities for in-school youth; and
 ``
        (B) 50 percent to award such grants to plan for 
 planning or provision of such opportunities for out-of-
 school youth.
 ``

    (2) Areas.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--In awarding the grants, the 
 Secretary shall consider the regional diversity of the 
 areas to be served, to ensure that urban, suburban, 
 rural, and tribal areas are receiving grant funds.
 ``
        (B) Rural and tribal area inclusion.--
 ``
            (i) Rural areas.--Not less than 20 
 percent of the amounts made available under 
 

section 176A

    (a)

    (1) for each fiscal year shall 
 be made available for activities to be carried 
 out in rural areas.
 ``
            (ii) Tribal areas.--Not less than 5 
 percent of the amounts made available under 
 

section 176A

    (a)

    (1) for each fiscal year shall 
 be made available for activities to be carried 
 out in tribal areas.
 ``

    (f) Program Priorities.--In allocating funds under this section, 
the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities--
 ``

    (1) who propose to coordinate their activities--
 ``
        (A) with local or tribal employers; and
 ``
        (B) with agencies described in subsection
            (c) (2)
        (A)
            (i) to ensure the summer youth employment 
 programs provide clear linkages to remedial, academic, 
 and occupational programs carried out by the agencies;
 ``

    (2) who propose a plan to increase private sector 
 engagement in, and job placement through, summer youth 
 employment; and
 ``

    (3) who have, in their counties, States, or tribal areas 
 (as compared to other counties in their State, other States, or 
 other tribal areas, respectively), a high level or rate 
 described in subsection
            (d) (1)
        (A)
            (iii) .
 ``

    (g) Use of Funds.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
 under this section may use the grant funds for services 
 described in subsection
            (d) .
 ``

    (2) Discretionary uses.--The eligible entity may also use 
 the funds--
 ``
        (A) to provide wages to eligible youth in 
 subsidized summer employment programs;
 ``
        (B) to provide eligible youth with support 
 services, including case management, child care 
 assistance, child support services, and transportation 
 assistance; and
 ``
            (C) to develop data management systems to assist 
 with programming, evaluation, and records management.
 ``

    (3) Administration.--An eligible entity may reserve not 
 more than 10 percent of the grant funds for the administration 
 of activities under this section.
 ``

    (4) Carry-over authority.--Any amounts provided to an 
 eligible entity under this section for a fiscal year may, at 
 the discretion of the Secretary, remain available to that 
 entity for expenditure during the succeeding fiscal year to 
 carry out programs under this section.
 ``

    (h) Program Share.--
 ``

    (1) Planning grants.--The program share for a planning 
 grant awarded under this section shall be 100 percent of the 
 cost described in subsection

    (a)

    (2)
        (A) .
 ``

    (2) Implementation grants.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The program share for an 
 implementation grant awarded under this section shall 
 be 50 percent of the cost described in subsection

    (a)

    (2)
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph
        (A) , 
 the Secretary--
 ``
            (i) may increase the program share for an 
 eligible entity; and
 ``
            (ii) shall increase the program share for 
 an Indian tribe or tribal organization to not 
 less than 95 percent of the cost described in 
 subsection

    (a)

    (2)
        (B) .
 ``
            (C) Non-program share.--The eligible entity may 
 provide the non-program share of the cost--
 ``
            (i) in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, 
 including plant, equipment, or services; and
 ``
            (ii) from State, local, tribal or private 
 (including philanthropic) sources and, in the 
 case of an Indian tribe or tribal organization, 
 from Federal sources.

``

SEC. 176C. YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYMENT COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) In General.--
 ``

    (1) Grants.--Using the amounts made available under 
 176A

    (a)

    (2) , the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, 
 planning and implementation grants.
 ``

    (2) General use of funds.--The Secretary shall award the 
 grants to assist eligible entities by paying for the program 
 share of the cost of--
 ``
        (A) in the case of a planning grant, planning a 
 year-round youth employment program to provide 
 subsidized year-round employment opportunities; and
 ``
        (B) in the case of an implementation grant, 
 implementation of such a program to provide such 
 opportunities.
 ``

    (b) Periods and Amounts of Grants.--The planning grants shall 
have the periods and amounts described in 

section 176B

    (b)

    (1) . The 
implementation grants shall have the periods and grants described in 

section 176B

    (b)

    (2) .
 ``
            (c) Eligible Entities.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a planning or 
 implementation grant under this section, an entity shall, 
 except as provided in paragraph

    (2) --
 ``
        (A) be a--
 ``
            (i) State, local government, or Indian 
 tribe or tribal organization, that meets the 
 requirements of 

section 176B
            (c) (2) ; or
 ``
            (ii) community-based organization that 
 meets the requirements of 

section 176B
            (c) (3) ; 
 and
 ``
        (B) meet the requirements for a planning or 
 implementation grant, respectively, specified in 
 

section 176B
            (c) (4) .
 ``

    (2) Year-round youth employment programs.--For purposes 
 of paragraph

    (1) , any reference in 

section 176B
            (c) --
 ``
        (A) to a summer youth employment program shall be 
 considered to refer to a year-round youth employment 
 program; and
 ``
        (B) to a provision of 

section 176B shall be 
 considered to refer to the corresponding provision of 
 this section.
 ``
            (d) Application.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , an 
 eligible entity desiring to receive a grant under this section 
 for a year-round youth employment program shall submit an 
 application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
 containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
 including, at a minimum, each of the following:
 ``
        (A) With respect to an application for a planning 
 or implementation grant, the information and 
 descriptions specified in 

section 176B
            (d) (1)
        (A) .
 ``
        (B) With respect to an application for a planning 
 grant, the descriptions specified in 

section 176B
            (d) (1)
        (B) , except that the description of an 
 analysis for placing youth in employment described in 
 clause
            (iv) 
            (II) (bb) of that section shall cover 
 employment that follows a schedule--
 ``
            (i) that consists of--
 ``
            (I) not more than 15 hours per 
 week for in-school youth; and
 ``
            (II) not less than 20 and not 
 more than 40 hours per week for out-of-
 school youth; and
 ``
            (ii) that depends on the needs and work-
 readiness level of the population being served.
 ``
            (C) With respect to an application for an 
 implementation grant, the descriptions and evidence 
 specified in 

section 176B
            (d) (1)
            (C) --
 ``
            (i) except that the reference in 

section 176B
            (d) (1)
            (C) 
            (ii) to employment described in 
 

section 176B
            (d) (1)
        (B) shall cover employment 
 that follows the schedule described in 
 subparagraph
        (B) ; and
 ``
            (ii) except that the reference to 
 programs in clause
            (vii) 
            (II) (aa) of that 
 section shall be considered to refer only to 
 programs funded under the Carl D. Perkins 
 Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
 ``
            (D) With respect to an application for an 
 implementation grant--
 ``
            (i) a description of how the eligible 
 entity plans to provide mental health services, 
 as needed, to eligible youth participants; and
 ``
            (ii) a description of how the eligible 
 entity plans to address barriers to 
 participation among eligible youth, including 
 provding transportation and child care.
 ``

    (2) Indian tribe; tribal organizations.--An eligible 
 entity that is an Indian tribe or tribal organization and 
 desires to receive a grant under this section for a year-round 
 youth employment program may, in lieu of submitting the 
 application described in paragraph

    (1) , submit an application 
 to the Secretary that meets such requirements as the Secretary 
 develops after consultation with the tribe or organization.
 ``

    (3) Mentor.--For purposes of paragraph

    (1) , any reference 
 in subparagraphs
        (B)
            (iv) ,
        (B)
            (v) , and
            (C) 
            (iv) of 

section 176B
            (d) (1) to a mentor shall be considered to refer to a mentor 
 who--
 ``
        (A) shall be an individual described in 
 subparagraphs
        (A) and
            (C) of 

section 176B
            (d) (3) ;
 ``
        (B) shall make contact with the eligible youth at 
 least twice each week; and
 ``
            (C) may be an individual described in 

section 176B
            (d) (3)
            (D) .
 ``

    (4) Year-round employment.--For purposes of this 
 subsection, any reference in 

section 176B
            (d) --
 ``
        (A) to summer employment shall be considered to 
 refer to year-round employment; and
 ``
        (B) to a provision of 

section 176B shall be 
 considered to refer to the corresponding provision of 
 this section.
 ``

    (e) Awards for Populations and Areas; Priorities.--
 ``

    (1) Populations.--The Secretary shall reserve, from the 
 amounts made available under 

section 176A

    (a)

    (2) --
 ``
        (A) 50 percent to award grants under this section 
 for planning or provision of subsidized year-round 
 employment opportunities for in-school youth; and
 ``
        (B) 50 percent to award such grants to plan for 
 planning or provision of such opportunities for out-of-
 school youth.
 ``

    (2) Areas; priorities.--In awarding the grants, the 
 Secretary shall--
 ``
        (A) carry out 

section 176B

    (e)

    (2) ; and
 ``
        (B) give priority to eligible entities--
 ``
            (i) who--
 ``
            (I) propose the coordination and 
 plan described paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) of 

section 176B

    (f) , with respect to 
 year-round youth employment; and
 ``
            (II) meet the requirements of 
 

section 176B

    (f)

    (3) ; or
 ``
            (ii) who--
 ``
            (I) propose a plan to coordinate 
 activities with entities carrying out 
 State, local, or tribal summer youth 
 employment programs, to provide 
 pathways to year-round employment for 
 eligible youth who are ending summer 
 employment; and
 ``
            (II) meet the requirements of 
 

section 176B

    (f)

    (3) .
 ``

    (f) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this section may use the grant funds--
 ``

    (1) for services described in subsection
            (d) ;
 ``

    (2) as described in 

section 176B

    (g)

    (2) , with respect to 
 year-round employment programs;
 ``

    (3) as described in 

section 176B

    (g)

    (3) , with respect to 
 activities under this section; and
 ``

    (4) at the discretion of the Secretary, as described in 
 

section 176B

    (g)

    (4) , with respect to activities under this 
 section.
 ``

    (g) Program Share.--
 ``

    (1) Planning grants.--The provisions of 

section 176B

    (h)

    (1) shall apply to planning grants awarded under this 
 section, with respect to the cost described in subsection

    (a)

    (2)
        (A) .
 ``

    (2) Implementation grants.--The provisions of 

section 176B

    (h)

    (2) shall apply to implementation grants awarded under 
 this section, with respect to the cost described in subsection

    (a)

    (2)
        (B) .

``

SEC. 176D. EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION.

 ``

    (a) Performance Measures.--
 ``

    (1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
 performance measures for purposes of carrying out annual 
 reviews under subsection

    (b) and of developing and implementing 
 a system of continuous quality improvement under subsection
            (c) .
 ``

    (2) Components.--The performance measures for the 
 eligible entities shall consist of--
 ``
        (A) the indicators of performance described in 
 paragraph

    (3) ; and
 ``
        (B) an adjusted level of performance for each 
 indicator described in subparagraph
        (A) .
 ``

    (3) Indicators of performance.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The indicators of performance 
 shall consist of--
 ``
            (i) the percentage of youth employment 
 program participants who are in education or 
 training activities, or in employment, during 
 the second quarter after exit from the program;
 ``
            (ii) the percentage of youth employment 
 program participants who are in education or 
 training activities, or in employment, during 
 the fourth quarter after exit from the program;
 ``
            (iii) the percentage of youth employment 
 program participants who obtain a recognized 
 postsecondary credential, or a secondary school 
 diploma or its recognized equivalent (subject 
 to subparagraph
        (B) ), during participation in 
 or within 1 year after exit from the program; 
 and
 ``
            (iv) the percentage of youth employment 
 program participants who, during a program 
 year, are in a youth employment program that 
 includes an education or training program that 
 leads to an outcome specified by the Secretary, 
 which may include--
 ``
            (I) obtaining a recognized 
 postsecondary credential or employment; 
 or
 ``
            (II) achieving measurable skill 
 gains toward such a credential or 
 employment.
 ``
        (B) Indicator relating to credential.--For 
 purposes of subparagraph
        (A)
            (iii) , youth employment 
 program participants who obtain a secondary school 
 diploma or its recognized equivalent shall be included 
 in the percentage counted as meeting the criterion 
 under such subparagraph only if such participants, in 
 addition to obtaining such diploma or its recognized 
 equivalent, have obtained or retained employment or are 
 in a youth employment program that includes an 
 education or training program leading to a recognized 
 postsecondary credential within 1 year after exit from 
 the program.
 ``

    (4) Levels of performance.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--For each eligible entity, there 
 shall be established, in accordance with this 
 paragraph, levels of performance for each of the 
 corresponding indicators of performance described in 
 paragraph

    (3) .
 ``
        (B) Identification in application.--Each eligible 
 entity shall identify, in the application submitted 
 under subsection
            (d) of 

section 176B or 176C, expected 
 levels of performance for each of those indicators of 
 performance for each program year covered by the 
 application.
 ``
            (C) Agreement on adjusted levels of 
 performance.--The eligible entity shall reach agreement 
 with the Secretary on levels of performance for each of 
 those indicators of performance for each such program 
 year. The levels agreed to shall be considered to be 
 the adjusted levels of performance for the eligible 
 entity for such program years and shall be incorporated 
 into the application prior to the approval of such 
 application.
 ``

    (b) Annual Review.--The Secretary shall carry out an annual 
review of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this subtitle. 
In conducting the review, the Secretary shall review the performance of 
the entity on the performance measures under this section and determine 
if the entity has used any practices that shall be considered best 
practices for purposes of this subtitle.
 ``
            (c) Continuous Quality Improvement.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall, in addition to 
 conducting the annual review, develop and implement a system of 
 continuous quality improvement designed to improve the quality 
 of activities carried out under this subtitle.
 ``

    (2) Activities.--In implementing the system, the 
 Secretary shall carry out activities including--
 ``
        (A) using the performance measures established 
 under this section, to assess the quality of employment 
 programs funded under sections 176B and 176C and 
 providing the eligible entities carrying out those 
 programs with continuing feedback on their performance 
 on those measures;
 ``
        (B) creating improvement plans to address quality 
 issues concerning the employment programs;
 ``
            (C) providing targeted support (including 
 technical assistance and training) to staff of the 
 eligible entities on improving the quality of the 
 employment programs in areas where the system 
 demonstrates that improvements are needed; and
 ``
            (D) publishing and disseminating information on 
 the quality of the employment programs.
 ``
            (d) Report to Congress.--
 ``

    (1) Preparation.--The Secretary shall prepare a report on 
 the grant programs established by this subtitle, which report 
 shall include a description of--
 ``
        (A) the eligible entities receiving funding under 
 this subtitle;
 ``
        (B) the activities carried out by the eligible 
 entities;
 ``
            (C) how the eligible entities were selected to 
 receive funding under this subtitle;
 ``
            (D) an assessment of the results achieved by the 
 grant programs including findings from the annual 
 reviews conducted under subsection

    (b) ; and
 ``
        (E) a description of the development and 
 implementation of, and outcomes from, the system of 
 continuous quality improvement described in subsection
            (c) .
 ``

    (2) Submission.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
 enactment of the AID Youth Employment Act, and annually 
 thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report described in 
 paragraph

    (1) to the appropriate committees of Congress.
 ``

    (e) Application to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations.--The 
Secretary may issue regulations that clarify the application of all the 
provisions of this subtitle to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

``

SEC. 176E. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 ``There are authorized to be appropriated--
 ``

    (1) to carry out 

section 176B, $375,000,000 for each of 
 fiscal years 2026 through 2030; and
 ``

    (2) to carry out 

section 176C, $500,000,000 for each of 
 fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.

SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) References.--

    (1) Section 121

    (b)

    (1)
            (C) 
            (ii) 
            (II) of the Workforce 
 Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
 3152

    (b)

    (1)
            (C) 
            (ii) 
            (II) ) is amended by striking ``subtitles C 
 through E'' and inserting ``subtitles C through F''.

    (2) Section 503

    (b) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3343

    (b) ) is 
 amended by inserting before the period the following: ``(as 
 such subtitles were in effect on the day before the date of 
 enactment of this Act)''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in 

section 1

    (b) of 
such Act is amended by striking the item relating to the subtitle 
heading for subtitle E of title I and inserting the following:

 ``Subtitle E--Youth Employment Opportunities

``

Sec. 176. Definitions.
``

Sec. 176A. Allocation of funds.
``

Sec. 176B. Summer employment competitive grant program.
``

Sec. 176C. Year-round employment competitive grant program.
``

Sec. 176D. Evaluation and administration.
``

Sec. 176E. Authorization of appropriations.''.
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