IT Service Corps Act
This bill includes programs dedicated to the achievement of digital equity in underserved communities, including through supporting digital inclusion activities and enhancing digital literacy among individuals in such communities, within federally supported national service programs (e.g., AmeriCorps).
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7161 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7161
To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish
service programs dedicated to digital equity, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2022
Mr. Kilmer (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish
service programs dedicated to digital equity, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``IT Service Corps Act''.
SEC. 2. STATE AND NATIONAL.
(a) State and National.--Section 122(b)(2) of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12572(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (I) as subparagraph (J);
and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:
``(I) A program that--
``(i) is dedicated to the achievement of
digital equity in underserved communities,
including through supporting digital inclusion
activities and enhancing digital literacy among
individuals in such communities;
``(ii) provides participants--
``(I) assistance in the development
of professional and technical skills
with respect to information technology,
including--
``(aa) by providing and
preparing participants with
sufficient training to
effectively operate, maintain,
or otherwise adapt to new
technologies related to
information technology; and
``(bb) to the extent
practicable, training and
financial support for training
that prepares such participants
to acquire an industry
recognized, vendor-neutral
certification in information
technology;
``(II) guidance that may be used in
careers in information technology, or
in pursuing further education or
apprenticeships relating to information
technology;
``(III) the necessary equipment, or
assistance in purchasing such
equipment, for such program, including
computer devices and smartphones; and
``(IV) with mentors who are
information technology professionals;
``(iii) in recruiting participants--
``(I) conducts outreach and
recruitment in underserved communities
and other local communities; and
``(II) gives consideration to
individuals who are from a marginalized
community or background, have been
dislocated from their jobs as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent
economic crisis, or have experienced
long-term unemployment;
``(iv) using data available by the
Corporation, if any, with respect to
participants, collects and reports to Congress
workforce information on participants,
including--
``(I) demographic data;
``(II) prior career background,
including prior career industry, role,
and years of experience;
``(III) future career intentions,
including desired industry and role;
and
``(IV) any job, education, or
apprenticeship placements after
participation in the program; and
``(v) defines the following terms as
follows:
``(I) Digital equity.--The term
`digital equity' means the condition in
which individuals and communities have
the information technology capacity
that is needed for full participation
in the society and economy of the
United States.
``(II) Digital inclusion.--The term
`digital inclusion'--
``(aa) means the activities
that are necessary to ensure
that all individuals in the
United States have access to,
and the use of, affordable
information and communication
technologies, such as--
``(AA) reliable
fixed and wireless
broadband internet
service;
``(BB) internet-
enabled devices that
meet the needs of the
user; and
``(CC) applications
and online content
designed to enable and
encourage self-
sufficiency,
participation, and
collaboration; and
``(bb) includes access to
digital literacy training,
quality technical support, and
basic awareness of measures to
ensure online privacy and
cybersecurity.
``(III) Digital literacy.--The term
`digital literacy' means the skills
associated with using technology to
enable users to find, evaluate,
organize, create, and communicate
information.
``(IV) Underserved community.--The
term `underserved community' means a
community with digital equity, health,
financial, education, or housing
disparities.''.
(b) National Civilian Community Corps.--Section 157(a)(1) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12617(a)(1)) is
amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``, which may
include a program dedicated to digital equity described in section
122(b)(2)(I)''.
(c) VISTA.--Section 103(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of
1973 (42 U.S.C. 4953(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (12), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (13), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(14) in addressing digital equity, which meets the
requirements of a program described in section 122(b)(2)(I) of
the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12572(b)(2)(I)).''.
(d) AmeriCorps Senior Programs.--Section 225(b)(5) of the Domestic
Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5025(b)(5)) is amended by
inserting before the period the following: ``, including a program
dedicated to digital equity described in section 122(b)(2)(I) of the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12572(b)(2)(I))''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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