No official summary available for this bill.
[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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Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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