Section 2 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101) is amended—

1. (1)

   in paragraph (1), by striking support services and inserting supportive services;

2. (2)

   in paragraph (2), by inserting , for youth and adults, after economic development systems;

3. (3)

   in paragraph (6), by striking of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and inserting of the workforce, provide economic mobility, reduce dependency on public assistance programs,; and

4. (4)

   by adding at the end the following:

   1. (7)

      To prepare a globally competitive workforce by developing robust education and skills development programs for youth to access career pathways that will lead such youth into in-demand industry sectors and occupations.

   .

1. (a)
   Foundational skill needs—

   Section 3(5) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(5)) is amended to read as follows:

   1. (5)
      Foundational skill needs—

      The term foundational skill needs means, with respect to an individual who is a youth or adult, that the individual—

      1. (A)

         has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or

      2. (B)

         is unable to compute or solve problems, is unable to read, write, or speak English, or does not possess digital literacy skills, at a level necessary to function in the individual's education or occupation, in the individual’s family, or in society.

   .

2. (b)
   Career pathway—

   Section 3(7)(F) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(7)(F)) is amended by striking secondary school diploma and inserting regular high school diploma.

3. (c)
   Employer-Directed skills development—

   Section 3(14) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(14)) is amended to read as follows:

   1. (14)
      Employer-Directed skills development—

      The term employer-directed skills development means skills development provided through a program—

      1. (A)

         that is selected or designed to meet the specific skill demands of an employer (including a group of employers, such as an industry or trade association or an industry or sector partnership);

      2. (B)

         that is conducted pursuant to the terms and conditions established under an employer-directed skills agreement described in section 134(c)(3)(I), including a commitment by the employer to employ an individual upon successful completion of the program; and

      3. (C)

         for which the employer pays a portion of the cost of the program, as determined by the local board involved, which shall not be less than—

         1. (i)

            10 percent of the cost, in the case of an employer with 50 or fewer employees;

         2. (ii)

            25 percent of the cost, in the case of an employer with more than 50 but not more than 100 employees; and

         3. (iii)

            50 percent of the cost, in the case of an employer with more than 100 employees.

   .

4. (d)
   Dislocated worker—

   Section 3(15)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(15)(B)) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in clause (i), by inserting , including such a closure or layoff due to advances in automation technology before the semicolon; and

   2. (2)

      in clause (iii), by striking section 134(c)(2)(A)(xii) and inserting section 134(c)(2)(B)(vii).

5. (e)
   Displaced homemaker—

   Section 3(16) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(16)) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking family members and inserting a family member.

6. (f)
   English learner—

   Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is further amended—

   1. (1)

      in paragraph (21)—

      1. (A)

         in the heading, by striking language; and

      2. (B)

         by striking language; and

   2. (2)

      in paragraph (24)(I), by striking language.

7. (g)
   Individual with a barrier to employment—

   Section 3(24) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(24)) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in subparagraph (G), by striking (42 U.S.C. 14043e-2(6))) and inserting (34 U.S.C. 12473(6)));

   2. (2)

      by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (N) as subparagraphs (J) through (O), respectively;

   3. (3)

      by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:

      1. (I)

         Out of school youth.

      ; and

   4. (4)

      in subparagraph (K), as so redesignated, by striking section 167(i) and inserting 167(j).

8. (h)
   Industry or sector partnership—

   Section 3(26) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(26)) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking or another labor representative, as appropriate; and inserting and, to the extent practicable, another labor representative;; and

   2. (2)

      in subparagraph (B)—

      1. (A)

         by redesignating clauses (vi) through (xi) as clauses (viii) through (xiii), respectively; and

      2. (B)

         by striking clause (v) and inserting the following:

         1. (v)

            State educational agencies or local educational agencies;

         2. (vi)

            State higher education agencies, as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003), or State systems of higher education;

         3. (vii)

            other State or local agencies;

         .

9. (i)
   Local area—

   Section 3(32) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(32)) is amended by striking sections 106(c)(3)(A) and inserting sections 106(c)(4)(A).

10. (j)
    Educational agencies—

    Section 3(34) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(34)) is amended to read as follows:

    1. (1)
       Local educational agency; State educational agency—

       The terms local educational agency and State educational agency have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

    .

11. (k)
    Local plan—

    Section 3(35) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(32)) is amended by striking section 106(c)(3)(B) and inserting section 106(c)(4)(B).

12. (l)
    Low-income individual—

    Section 3(36)(A)(iii) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(36)(A)(iii)) is amended by striking (42 U.S.C. 14043e-2(6))) and inserting (34 U.S.C. 12473(6))).

13. (m)
    Pay-for-Performance contract strategy—

    Section 3(47) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(47)) is amended to read as follows:

    1. (47)
       Pay-for-performance contract strategy—

       The term pay-for-performance contract strategy means a performance-based contract strategy that uses pay-for-performance contracts in the provision of services described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section 134(c) or activities described in section 129(c)(2), and includes—

       1. (A)

          contracts, each of which—

          1. (i)

             shall specify a fixed amount that will be paid to an eligible service provider (which may include a local or national community-based organization or intermediary, community college, or other provider) based on the achievement of specified levels of performance on the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A) for target populations as identified by the local board and which shall identify a specific target for the number or percentage of individuals to be served that will be individuals with barriers to employment, within a defined timetable; and

          2. (ii)

             may provide for bonus payments to such service provider to expand capacity to provide effective training and other services, including bonus payments for exceeding the identified target for serving individuals with barriers to employment;

       2. (B)

          a strategy for validating the achievement of the performance described in subparagraph (A); and

       3. (C)

          a description of how the State or local area will reallocate funds not paid to a provider because the achievement of the performance described in subparagraph (A) did not occur, for further activities related to such a contract strategy, subject to section 189(g)(2)(D).

    .

14. (n)
    Rapid response activity—

    Section 3(51) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(51)) is amended—

    1. (1)

       in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , through a rapid response unit after designated by a State;

    2. (2)

       in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , including access through individual training accounts for eligible dislocated workers under section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3224a);

    3. (3)

       in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end;

    4. (4)

       by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);

    5. (5)

       by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph:

       1. (E)

          assistance in identifying workers eligible for assistance, including workers who work a majority of their time offsite or remotely;

       ;

    6. (6)

       in subparagraph (F), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

    7. (7)

       by adding at the end the following:

       1. (G)

          the provision of business engagement or layoff aversion strategies and other activities designed to prevent or minimize the duration of unemployment, such as—

          1. (i)

             connecting employers to short-term compensation or other programs designed to prevent layoffs;

          2. (ii)

             conducting worker skill assessment, and programs to match workers to different occupations;

          3. (iii)

             establishing incumbent worker training or other upskilling approaches, including through incumbent worker upskilling accounts described in section 134(d)(4)(E);

          4. (iv)

             facilitating business support activities, such as connecting employers to programs that offer access to credit, financial support, and business consulting; and

          5. (v)

             partnering or contracting with business-focused organizations to assess risks to companies, and to propose, implement, and measure the impact of strategies and services to address such risks.

       .

15. (o)
    School dropout—

    Section 3(54) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(54)) is amended by striking secondary school diploma and inserting regular high school diploma.

16. (p)
    Supportive services—

    Section 3(59) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(59)) is amended by striking housing, and inserting assistive technology, housing, food assistance,.

17. (q)
    New definitions—

    Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

    1. (72)
       Co-enrollment—

       The term co-enrollment means simultaneous enrollment in more than one of the programs or activities carried out by a one-stop partner specified in section 121(b)(1)(B).

    2. (73)
       Digital literacy skills—

       The term digital literacy skills has the meaning given the term in section 203.

    3. (74)
       Evidence-based—

       The term evidence-based, when used with respect to an activity, service, strategy, or intervention, or content of materials, means an activity, service, strategy, or intervention, or content of materials that—

       1. (A)

          demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving participant outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on—

          1. (i)

             strong evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented experimental study;

          2. (ii)

             moderate evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study; or

          3. (iii)

             promising evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias; or

       2. (B)
          1. (i)

             demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation that such activity, service, strategy, or intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant outcomes; and

          2. (ii)

             includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such activity, service, strategy, or intervention.

    4. (75)
       Labor organization—

       The term labor organization means a labor organization, as defined in section 2(5) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), and an organization representing public sector employees.

    5. (76)
       Regular high school diploma—

       The term regular high school diploma has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

    6. (77)
       Work-based learning—

       The term work-based learning has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).

    7. (78)
       Talent marketplace—

       1. (A)
          Talent marketplace—

          The term talent marketplace means an array of publicly- and privately-owned platforms supported by interconnected and, where relevant, interoperable and based on open standards, technologies (which may include artificial intelligence) that—

          1. (i)

             is made available to the public;

          2. (ii)

             is used to match individuals with employment and learning opportunities in a State (or a consortium of States) using information provided by users, including—

             1. (I)

                education and training providers;

             2. (II)

                employers;

             3. (III)

                jobseekers;

             4. (IV)

                students; and

             5. (V)

                any other individual; and

          3. (iii)

             incorporates and allows users access to—

             1. (I)

                the learning and employment records of users of such marketplace;

             2. (II)

                a credential registry; and

             3. (III)

                a skills profile generator.

       2. (B)
          Credential registry—

          The term credential registry means a process through which a digital portal or repository may be used by education and training providers to make publicly available, and, where relevant, interoperable and based on open standards, a description, using standardized terminology, of the skills, competencies and learning outcomes associated with credentials, including recognized postsecondary credentials.

       3. (C)
          Learning and employment record—

          The term learning and employment record means a digital, machine-readable record of an individual’s educational and employment history that—

          1. (i)

             contains information that may be self attested and is verified by the employers, persons for whom the individual performed services, and education and training providers of such individual;

          2. (ii)

             allows the individual to control such information and use any such information for the purpose of matching such individual with employment and learning opportunities as described in subparagraph (A)(ii); and

          3. (iii)

             uses standardized terminology.

       4. (D)
          Skills profile generator—

          The term skills profile generator means a digital tool that can be used to create a skill profile that, using standardized terminology, describes skills gained through, or necessary for—

          1. (i)

             employment;

          2. (ii)

             hiring; or

          3. (iii)

             education.

       5. (E)
          Standardized terminology—

          The term standardized terminology means, in relation to a learning employment record, credential registry, or skills profile generator made available through a talent marketplace, a limited set of terms that is provided through a publicly available, and, where relevant, interoperable and based on open standards, skills framework and used to describe skills, competencies, or learning outcomes in a manner that—

          1. (i)

             provides a definition of such skill, competency, or outcome, and identifies the skills framework used for such definition;

          2. (ii)

             ensures that identical terms are used to describe substantially similar skills, competencies, or outcomes across such records, registries, and generators in such marketplace; and

          3. (iii)

             permits such terms to be effectively used for the purpose of matching individuals with employment and learning opportunities as described in subparagraph (A)(ii).

    .

18. (r)
    Redesignations—

    Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is further amended by reordering paragraphs (1) through (71), as amended by this section, and the paragraphs added by subsection (q) of this section in alphabetical order, and renumbering such paragraphs as so reordered.

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended—

1. (1)

   by redesignating the item relating to section 172 as section 175;

2. (2)

   by inserting after the item relating to section 171, the following:

   Sec. 172. Reentry employment opportunities.Sec. 173. Youth apprenticeship readiness grant program.Sec. 174. Strengthening community colleges workforce development grants program.

   ; and

3. (3)

   by striking the item relating to section 190 and inserting the following:

   Sec. 190. Make America Skilled Again grants.

   .

Section 141 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3191) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking centers each place it appears and inserting campuses; and

2. (2)

   in paragraph (1)(A)—

   1. (A)

      by striking secondary school diplomas and inserting regular high school diplomas or their recognized equivalents;

   2. (B)

      in clause (i), by striking or at the end;

   3. (C)

      in clause (ii), by striking , including an apprenticeship program; and and inserting ; or; and

   4. (D)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (iii)

         enrollment in an apprenticeship program; and

      .

Section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192) is amended—

1. (1)

   in paragraphs (1), (7), (8), and (10), by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

2. (2)

   in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting the community in which the Job Corps campus is located or the after serves;

3. (3)

   in paragraph (5)—

   1. (A)

      by striking secondary school diploma or and inserting regular high school diploma or its;

   2. (B)

      by striking that prepares and inserting

      that—

      1. (A)

         prepares

      ;

   3. (C)

      in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

   4. (D)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (B)

         may lead to the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential.

      ; and

4. (4)

   in paragraph (7), by striking center in the heading and inserting campus.

Section 144 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3194) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (a)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1)—

      1. (i)

         by striking 21 and inserting 24;

      2. (ii)

         by inserting or, if the date of enrollment is not greater than 60 days after the date of application, the date of application, after enrollment,;

      3. (iii)

         by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

         1. (A)

            an individual who is age 16 or 17 shall be eligible only upon an individual determination by the director of a Job Corps campus that such individual meets the criteria described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 145(b)(1); and

         ; and

      4. (iv)

         in subparagraph (B), by striking either;

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (2), by inserting after individual the following: or a resident of a qualified opportunity zone as defined in section 1400Z–1(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

   3. (C)

      in paragraph (3)—

      1. (i)

         by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

         1. (A)

            Has foundational skill needs.

         ; and

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (C), by striking (42 U.S.C. 14043e-2(6))) and inserting (34 U.S.C. 12473(6))).

2. (2)

   in subsection (b)—

   1. (A)

      in the heading, by inserting and certain other Armed Forces members after veterans; and

   2. (B)

      by inserting or a member of the Armed Forces eligible for preseparation counseling of the Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, after a veteran; and

3. (3)

   by inserting at the end the following:

   1. (c)
      Special rule for homeless youth and foster youth—

      In determining whether an individual is eligible to enroll for services under this subtitle on the basis of being a homeless youth, or a youth in foster care, as described in subsection (a)(3)(C), staff shall—

      1. (1)

         if determining whether the individual is a homeless youth, use a process that is in compliance with the requirements of subsection (a) of section 479D of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087uu–2) for financial aid administrators; and

      2. (2)

         if determining whether the individual is a youth in foster care, use a process that is in compliance with the requirements of subsection (b) of such section 479D of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087uu–2) for financial aid administrators.

   .

Section 145 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3195) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (a)(2)—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (A), by striking 45 and inserting 55;

   2. (B)

      in subparagraph (D), by striking and;

   3. (C)

      in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

   4. (D)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (F)

         assist applicable one-stop centers and other entities identified in paragraph (3) in developing joint applications for Job Corps, YouthBuild, and the youth activities described in section 129.

      ; and

2. (2)

   in subsections (b), (c), and (d)—

   1. (A)

      by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus; and

   2. (B)

      by striking centers each place it appears and inserting campuses.

Section 147 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3197) is amended—

1. (1)

   in the heading, by striking centers and inserting campuses;

2. (2)

   in subsection (a)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1)—

      1. (i)

         by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus; and

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (A), by inserting after area career and technical education school, the following: an institution of higher education,;

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (2)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (A)—

         1. (I)

            by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus; and

         2. (II)

            by inserting after United States Code, the following: and section 159(f)(2)(B)(i)(III),; and

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (B)—

         1. (I)

            in clause (i)—

            1. (aa)

               by striking operate a Job Corps center and inserting operate a Job Corps campus;

            2. (bb)

               by striking subclause (IV);

            3. (cc)

               by redesignating subclauses (I), (II), (III), and (V), as subclauses (III), (IV), (V), and (VI), respectively;

            4. (dd)

               by inserting before subclause (III), as so redesignated, the following:

               1. (I)
                  1. (aa)

                     in the case of an entity that has previously operated a Job Corps campus, a numeric metric of the past achievement on the primary indicators of performance for eligible youth described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii); or

                  2. (bb)

                     in the case of an entity that has not previously operated a Job Corps campus, a comparable alternative numeric metric on the past effectiveness of the entity in successfully assisting at-risk youth to connect to the labor force, based on such primary indicators of performance for eligible youth;

               2. (II)

                  in the case of an entity that has previously operated a Job Corps campus, any information regarding the entity included in any report developed by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Labor;

               ;

            5. (ee)

               in subclause (III), as so redesignated, by striking center and inserting campus;

            6. (ff)

               by amending subclause (IV), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

               1. (IV)

                  the ability of the entity to offer career and technical education and training that has been proposed by the workforce council under section 154(c), including—

                  1. (aa)

                     the degree to which such education and training reflects employment opportunities in the local areas in which enrollees at the campus intend to seek employment; and

                  2. (bb)

                     the degree to which such education and training leads to a recognized postsecondary credential, or postsecondary credit, that permits articulation into a higher level or other degree or credential program;

               ;

            7. (gg)

               in subclause (V), as so redesignated, by striking center is located; and inserting campus is located, including agreements to provide off-campus work-based learning opportunities aligned with the career and technical education provided to enrollees; and; and

            8. (hh)

               by amending subclause (VI), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

               1. (VI)

                  the ability of the entity to implement an effective behavior management plan, as described in section 152(a), and maintain a safe and secure learning environment for enrollees.

               ; and

         2. (II)

            in clause (ii), by striking center and inserting campus; and

   3. (C)

      in paragraph (3)—

      1. (i)

         by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (B), by inserting or postsecondary credit, which credit shall permit articulation into a credential program after program;

      3. (iii)

         in subparagraph (D), by inserting after is located the following: , including agreements to provide off-campus work-based learning opportunities aligned with the career and technical education provided to enrollees;

      4. (iv)

         by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), and (L), respectively; and

      5. (v)

         by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:

         1. (E)

            A description of the policies that will be implemented at the campus regarding security and access to campus facilities, including procedures to report on and respond to violations of the disciplinary policy described in section 152(b) and other emergencies occurring on campus.

         ;

3. (3)

   in subsection (b)—

   1. (A)

      in the heading, by striking centers and inserting campuses;

   2. (B)

      by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

   3. (C)

      by striking centers each place it appears and inserting campuses;

   4. (D)

      in paragraph (2)(A), by striking 20 percent and inserting 25 percent; and

   5. (E)

      in paragraph (3)(A)(iv), by striking secondary school diplomas and inserting regular high school diplomas;

4. (4)

   in subsection (c)—

   1. (A)

      by striking centers and inserting campuses; and

   2. (B)

      by striking 20 percent and inserting 30 percent;

5. (5)

   in subsection (d)—

   1. (A)

      in the first sentence, by striking centers and inserting campuses; and

   2. (B)

      in the second sentence, by striking centers and inserting Centers;

6. (6)

   in subsection (e)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1), by striking centers and inserting campuses; and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (2), by striking 450b) and inserting 5304);

7. (7)

   in subsection (f), by striking 2-year period and inserting 3-year period; and

8. (8)

   in subsection (g)—

   1. (A)

      by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:

      1. (A)

         failed to achieve an average of 80 percent or higher of the expected level of performance under section 159(c)(1) across all of the primary indicators of performance for eligible youth described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii); or

      2. (B)

         failed to—

         1. (i)

            take reasonable measures to achieve an average of 80 percent of the planned average onboard strength that was agreed to in the agreement described in subsection (a)(1)(A); or

         2. (ii)

            achieve an average of 60 percent of the planned average onboard strength that was agreed to in the agreement described in subsection (a)(1)(A).

      ;

   3. (C)

      in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting or onboard strength or enrollment after performance;

   4. (D)

      in paragraph (3), by striking shall provide and inserting shall provide, at least 30 days prior to renewing the agreement; and

   5. (E)

      in paragraph (4)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (C), by striking and after the semicolon;

      2. (ii)

         by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and

      3. (iii)

         by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:

         1. (D)

            has maintained a safe and secure campus environment; and

         .

Section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

2. (2)

   by striking centers each place it appears and inserting campuses;

3. (3)

   in subsection (a)—

   1. (A)

      in the subsection heading, by striking CENTERS and inserting CAMPUSES; and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (1)—

      1. (i)

         by inserting before the period at the end the following: , and productive activities, such as tutoring or other skills development opportunities, for enrollees to participate in outside of regular class time and work hours; and

      2. (ii)

         by striking clauses (i) through (xi) of section 134(c)(2)(A) and inserting subclauses (I) through (V) of section 134(c)(2)(A)(ii) or in clauses (i) through (viii) of section 134(c)(2)(B);

4. (4)

   in subsection (b), by striking career and technical educational institutions and inserting area career and technical education schools;

5. (5)

   in subsection (c)(1)—

   1. (A)

      by striking the eligible providers and inserting any eligible provider; and

   2. (B)

      by inserting after under section 122 the following: that is aligned with the career and technical education an enrollee has completed; and

6. (6)

   in subsection (d), by inserting , in coordination with the operator of the Job Corps program in which a graduate was enrolled, after Secretary.

Section 149(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3199(b)) is amended—

1. (1)

   by inserting , in coordination with the operator of a Job Corps campus, after The Secretary;

2. (2)

   by inserting assigned to such campus after for enrollees; and

3. (3)

   by inserting , in coordination with the operator, after , the Secretary.

Section 150 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3200) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (a), by striking centers and inserting campuses; and

2. (2)

   by adding at the end the following:

   1. (d)
      Period of transition—

      Notwithstanding the requirements of section 146(b), a Job Corps graduate may remain an enrollee and a resident of a Job Corps campus for not more than one month after graduation as such graduate transitions into independent living and employment if such graduate receives written approval from the director of the Job Corps campus to remain such a resident.

   .

Section 151 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3201) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus; and

2. (2)

   by adding at the end the following:

   1. (d)
      Local authority—

      1. (1)
         In general—

         Subject to the limitations of the budget approved by the Secretary for a Job Corps campus, the operator of a Job Corps campus shall have the authority, without prior approval from the Secretary, to—

         1. (A)

            hire staff and provide staff professional development;

         2. (B)

            set terms and enter into agreements with Federal, State, or local educational partners, such as secondary schools, institutions of higher education, child development centers, units of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs established under section 2031 of title 10, United States Code, or employers; and

         3. (C)

            engage with and educate stakeholders (including eligible applicants for the Job Corps) about Job Corps operations, selection procedures, and activities.

      2. (2)
         Nonapplicability—

         Notwithstanding section 6702 of title 41, United States Code, or any other provision of law, chapter 67 of such title shall not apply to any agreement described in paragraph (1)(B) for the purpose of providing child care to enrollees between an entity described in such paragraph and an operator of a Job Corps campus, if the operator is not using amounts made available under this subtitle to pay for such child care services.

   2. (e)
      Prior notice—

      Prior to making a change to the agreement described in section 147(a) or an operating plan described in this section, the Secretary shall solicit from the operators of the Job Corps campuses information on any operational costs the operators expect to result from such change.

   .

Section 152 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3202) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking centers each place it appears and inserting campuses;

2. (2)

   in subsection (a), by inserting As part of the operating plan required under section 151(a), the director of each Job Corps campus shall develop and implement a behavior management plan consistent with the standards of conduct and subject to the approval of the Secretary. at the end;

3. (3)

   in subsection (b)(2)—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (A), by striking or disruptive; and

   2. (B)

      in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting , subject to the appeal process described in subsection (c) after subparagraph (A); and

4. (4)

   by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

   1. (c)
      Appeal process—

      1. (1)
         Enrollee appeals—

         A disciplinary measure taken by a director under this section shall be subject to expeditious appeal in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary.

      2. (2)
         Director appeals—

         1. (A)
            In general—

            Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall establish an appeals process under which the director of a Job Corps campus may submit a request that an enrollee who has engaged in an activity which is a violation of the guidelines established pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(A) remain enrolled in the program, but be subject to other disciplinary actions in lieu of automatic separation from the program.

         2. (B)
            Contents—

            A request under subparagraph (A) shall include—

            1. (i)

               a signed certification from the director attesting that, to the belief of the director, the continued enrollment of such enrollee would not impact the safety or learning environment of the campus; and

            2. (ii)

               the behavioral records of such enrollee.

         3. (C)
            Default approval—

            The Secretary shall review such appeal within 30 days of receiving such appeal and either approve or deny the appeal. An appeal shall be considered approved if the Secretary has not denied such appeal after 30 days.

   .

Section 153 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3203) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

2. (2)

   in subsection (a), by striking centers and inserting campuses;

3. (3)

   in subsection (b)(1)(C)—

   1. (A)

      in clause (iii), by striking and at the end; and

   2. (B)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (v)

         industry or sector partnerships, where applicable; and

      ; and

4. (4)

   in subsection (c), in the heading, by striking Centers and inserting Campuses.

Section 154 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3204) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

2. (2)

   in subsection (b)(1)—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

   2. (B)

      by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

   3. (C)

      by inserting the following after subparagraph (B):

      1. (C)

         representatives of community-based organizations; and

      ;

3. (3)

   in subsection (c)(2)(C), by inserting , recognized postsecondary credentials, after skills; and

4. (4)

   in subsection (d), in the heading, by striking New centers and inserting New campuses.

Section 155 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3205) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking The Secretary and inserting (a) In general.—The Secretary;

2. (2)

   by striking centers and inserting campuses;

3. (3)

   by striking center and inserting campus; and

4. (4)

   by adding at the end the following:

   1. (b)
      Advisory Committee to improve Job Corps safety and performance—

      Not later than one year after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to provide recommendations on effective or evidence-based strategies to improve—

      1. (1)

         safety, security, and learning conditions on Job Corps campuses;

      2. (2)

         the standards for campus safety established under section 159(c)(4);

      3. (3)

         the levels of performance established under section 159(c)(1), including recommendations to improve the effectiveness and rigor of such levels of performance and recommendations to ensure such levels promote continuous performance improvement; and

      4. (4)

         the effectiveness of performance improvement plans and other measures to continuously improve the performance of the Job Corps program.

   .

Section 156 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3206) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking center and inserting campus;

2. (2)

   by striking centers and inserting campuses; and

3. (3)

   in subsection (b)—

   1. (A)

      by striking 1/4 of 1 percent to provide and inserting 1.25 percent to provide; and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end of subparagraph (C) and by adding at the end the following:

      1. (D)

         in the development and implementation of a behavior management plan under section 152(a); and

      2. (E)

         in complying with the campus and student safety standards described in section 159(c)(4); and

      .

Section 158 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3208) is amended—

1. (1)

   by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus; and

2. (2)

   in subsection (f)—

   1. (A)

      by striking may accept on behalf of the Job Corps or individual Job Corps campuses charitable donations of cash and inserting (or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate), on behalf of the Job Corps, or a Job Corps campus operator, on behalf of such campus, may accept grants, charitable donations of cash,; and

   2. (B)

      by inserting at the end the following: Notwithstanding sections 501(b) and 522 of title 40, United States Code, any property acquired by a Job Corps campus shall be directly transferred, on a nonreimbursable basis, to the Secretary..

1. (a)
   Levels of performance—

   Section 159 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) is amended—

   1. (1)

      by striking center each place it appears and inserting campus;

   2. (2)

      in subsection (c)—

      1. (A)

         in paragraph (1)—

         1. (i)

            by striking The Secretary and inserting the following:

            1. (A)
               In general—

               The Secretary

            ;

         2. (ii)

            by inserting that are ambitious yet achievable and after program; and

         3. (iii)

            by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

            1. (B)
               Levels of performance—

               In establishing the expected levels of performance under subparagraph (A) for a Job Corps campus, the Secretary may take into account factors including—

               1. (i)

                  how the levels involved compare with the recent performance of such campus and the performance of other campuses within the same State or geographic region;

               2. (ii)

                  the levels of performance set for the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) for the youth programs authorized under chapter 2 of subtitle B for the State in which the campus is located;

               3. (iii)

                  the extent to which the levels involved promote continuous improvement in performance on the primary indicators of performance by such campus and ensure optimal return on the use of Federal funds; and

               4. (iv)

                  any other considerations identified by the Secretary after reviewing the recommendations of the advisory group described in section 155(b).

            2. (C)
               Performance per contract—

               The Secretary shall ensure the expected levels of performance are established in the relevant contract or agreement.

            3. (D)
               Adjustments based on economic conditions and individuals served during the program year—

               1. (i)
                  In general—

                  In the event of a significant economic downturn, the Secretary shall adjust the applicable levels of performance for each of the campuses for a program year to reflect the actual economic conditions during such program year.

               2. (ii)
                  Report to Congress—

                  Prior to implementing the adjustments described in clause (i), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report explaining the reason for such adjustments.

            4. (E)
               Review of levels of performance—

               The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Labor shall, every 5 years, submit to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and publish in the Federal Register and on a publicly available website of the Department, a report containing—

               1. (i)

                  a quadrennial review of the expected levels of performance; and

               2. (ii)

                  an evaluation of whether—

                  1. (I)

                     the Secretary is establishing such expected levels of performance in accordance with this Act; and

                  2. (II)

                     such expected levels have led to continued improvement of the Job Corps program.

            ;

      2. (B)

         in paragraph (2)(B), by striking (L), and (M) and inserting (M), and (N);

      3. (C)

         in paragraph (3)(B), by striking (J), and (K) and inserting (K), and (L);

      4. (D)

         by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);

      5. (E)

         by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

         1. (4)
            Campus safety—

            1. (A)
               In general—

               The Secretary shall establish campus and student safety standards. The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and develop a safety improvement plan for a Job Corps campus that fails to achieve such standards.

            2. (B)
               Considerations—

               In establishing the campus and student safety standards under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall take into account—

               1. (i)

                  incidents related to safety that are reported to the Secretary;

               2. (ii)

                  survey data from enrollees, faculty, staff, and community members; and

               3. (iii)

                  any other considerations identified by the Secretary after reviewing the recommendations of the advisory group described in section 155(b).

         ;

      6. (F)

         in paragraph (5), as so redesignated—

         1. (i)

            in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end;

         2. (ii)

            in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

         3. (iii)

            by adding at the end the following:

            1. (C)

               the number of contracts that were awarded a renewal compared to those eligible for a renewal;

            2. (D)

               the number of campuses where the contract was awarded to a new operator; and

            3. (E)

               the number of campuses that were required to receive performance improvement, as described under subsection (f)(2).

            ; and

      7. (G)

         by adding at the end the following:

         1. (6)
            Wage records—

            The Secretary shall make arrangements with a State or other appropriate entity to facilitate the use of State wage records to evaluate the performance of Job Corps campuses on the employment and earnings indicators described in clause (i)(III) of subparagraph (A) of section 116(b)(2) and subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii) of such subparagraph for the purposes of the report required under paragraph (5).

         ;

   3. (3)

      in subsection (d)(1)—

      1. (A)

         by inserting and make available on the website of the Department pertaining to the Job Corps program in a manner that is consumer-tested to ensure it is easily understood, searchable, and navigable, after subsection (c)(4),;

      2. (B)

         in subparagraph (B), by striking gender and inserting sex;

      3. (C)

         in subparagraph (F), by striking regular secondary school diploma and inserting regular high school diploma;

      4. (D)

         in subparagraph (G), by striking regular secondary school diploma and inserting regular high school diploma;

      5. (E)

         by redesignating subparagraphs (J) through (O) as subparagraphs (K) through (P), respectively; and

      6. (F)

         by inserting the following after subparagraph (I):

         1. (J)

            the number of appeals under section 152(c) and a description of each appeal that was approved;

         ;

   4. (4)

      in subsection (e), by striking 116(i)(2) and inserting 116(j)(2); and

   5. (5)

      in subsection (g)(2), by striking comply and inserting attest to compliance.

2. (b)
   Performance assessments and improvements—

   Section 159(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) is amended to read as follows:

   1. (f)
      Performance assessments and improvements—

      1. (1)
         Assessments—

         The Secretary shall conduct an annual assessment of the performance of each Job Corps campus on the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii), where each indicator shall be given equal weight in determining the overall performance of the campus. Based on the assessment, the Secretary shall take measures to continuously improve the performance of the Job Corps program.

      2. (2)
         Performance improvement—

         1. (A)
            Comprehensive improvement—

            1. (i)
               In general—

               With respect to a Job Corps campus that, for a program year, performs as described in clause (ii) and is not already subject to a performance improvement plan under this paragraph for such program year or the succeeding program year, the Secretary shall develop and implement, for a comprehensive improvement period beginning with the succeeding program year, a performance improvement plan that meets the requirements of clause (iii).

            2. (ii)
               Performance failures—

               A Job Corps campus performs as described in this clause if, for a program year, such campus—

               1. (I)

                  fails to meet an average of 90 percent on the expected levels of performance across all the primary indicators of performance specified in subsection (c)(1); and

               2. (II)

                  is ranked among the lowest 20 percent of all Job Corps campuses.

            3. (iii)
               Performance improvement plan requirements—

               A performance improvement plan, with respect to a Job Corps campus, shall require the Secretary to take substantial action during a 3 consecutive program year period (in this paragraph, referred to as a comprehensive improvement period) to improve the performance of such campus, which shall include—

               1. (I)

                  providing technical assistance to the campus;

               2. (II)

                  changing the management staff of the campus;

               3. (III)

                  changing the career and technical education and training offered at the campus;

               4. (IV)

                  replacing the operator of the campus; or

               5. (V)

                  reducing the capacity of the campus.

         2. (B)
            Chronic failure—

            1. (i)
               In general—

               With respect to a Job Corps campus that, for the two consecutive program years immediately following a comprehensive improvement period and regardless of whether such campus is subject to a subsequent comprehensive improvement period, fails to meet an average of 85 percent on the expected levels of performance across all the primary indicators and is ranked among the lowest 15 percent of all Job Corps campuses, the Secretary shall take further substantial action to improve the performance of such campus, which shall include—

               1. (I)

                  relocating the campus;

               2. (II)

                  closing the campus; or

               3. (III)

                  notifying the State in which the campus is located of such failure and, if such State submits a written plan to operate a residential campus in the current location, the Secretary—

                  1. (aa)

                     shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State for the purpose of so operating a residential campus and award funding directly to the State for such purpose;

                  2. (bb)

                     may encourage innovation in such memorandum of understanding by waiving any statutory or regulatory requirement of this subtitle except for those related to participant eligibility under section 144, program activities under section 148, counseling and job placement under section 149, standards of conduct under section 152, and performance reporting and accountability under this section; and

                  3. (cc)

                     if a State chooses to award funds received under this clause to an entity that is not a State agency or other State entity, require that such State develop award criteria that will give priority consideration for the primary contract or grant for operation of the campus to any applicant that is a non-profit organization with expertise in serving out-of-school youth and that otherwise meets such award criteria.

            2. (ii)
               Indian Tribes—

               1. (I)
                  In general—

                  In the case of a Job Corps campus described in clause (i) that is located on an Indian reservation, subclause (III) of such clause shall be applied by—

                  1. (aa)

                     by substituting Indian Tribe for State in each place it appears; and

                  2. (bb)

                     in item (cc), by substituting Tribal organization for State agency or other State entity.

               2. (II)
                  Definition—

                  In this paragraph, the terms Indian Tribe and Tribal organization have the meanings given such terms in subsections (e) and (l), respectively, of section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

      3. (3)
         Additional performance improvement—

         In addition to the performance improvement plans required under paragraph (2), the Secretary may develop and implement additional performance improvement plans for a Job Corps campus that fails to meet criteria established by the Secretary other than the expected levels of performance described in subsection (c)(1).

      4. (4)
         Civilian Conservation Centers—

         With respect to a Civilian Conservation Center that, for 3 consecutive program years, fails to meet an average of 90 percent of the expected levels of performance across all the primary indicators of performance specified in subsection (c)(1) and is ranked among the lowest 15 percent of campuses, the Secretary of Labor or, if appropriate, the Secretary of Agriculture shall select, on a competitive basis, an entity to operate part or all of the Civilian Conservation Center in accordance with the requirements of section 147.

   .

3. (c)
   Conforming amendments—

   Section 159 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) is further amended—

   1. (1)

      in subsection (a)(3), by striking centers and inserting campuses;

   2. (2)

      in subsection (g)(1), in the heading, by striking Center and inserting Campus; and

   3. (3)

      in subsection (j), in the heading, by striking Center and inserting Campus.

Section 161 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3211) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (c)—

   1. (A)

      in the heading, by striking Center and inserting Campus; and

   2. (B)

      by striking center and inserting campus;

2. (2)

   by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and

3. (3)

   by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:

   1. (d)
      Report on implementation of recommendations—

      The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, prepare and submit to the applicable committees a report regarding the implementation of all outstanding recommendations regarding the Job Corps program from the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Labor or the Government Accountability Office.

   .

Section 162 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3212) is amended to read as follows:

Section 146(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3196(a)) is amended by striking App. 451 and inserting 3801.

Section 166 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (a)(2), by striking (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) and inserting (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);

2. (2)

   in subsection (b)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (2), by striking (25 U.S.C. 450b) and inserting (25 U.S.C. 5304); and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (3), by inserting (20 U.S.C. 7517) before the period at the end;

3. (3)

   in subsection (d)(1)—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (A), by striking and;

   2. (B)

      in subparagraph (B)—

      1. (i)

         by striking leading and inserting or self-employment that leads; and

      2. (ii)

         by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

   3. (C)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (C)

         are evidence-based, to the extent practicable.

      ;

4. (4)

   in subsection (d)(2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

   1. (B)
      Administrative costs—

      Not more than 15 percent of the funds made available to an entity under subsection (c) may be used for the administrative costs of the activities and services described in subparagraph (A).

   2. (C)
      Special rules—

      1. (i)
         Eligibility—

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, individuals who were eligible to participate in programs under section 401 of the Job Training Partnership Act (as such section was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998) shall be eligible to participate in an activity assisted under this section.

      2. (ii)
         Transfer of unobligated funds—

         An entity receiving funds under subsection (c) may transfer such funds that are unobligated for an award year to the following award year for activities described in subparagraph (A)(i) in that following award year.

   ;

5. (5)

   in subsection (e)(3), by inserting or to develop skills necessary for successful self-employment before the semicolon at the end;

6. (6)

   in subsection (h)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1)—

      1. (i)

         in the heading, by striking the heading and inserting Performance standards;

      2. (ii)

         by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:

         1. (A)
            Consultation on performance standards—

            The Secretary, in consultation with the Native American Employment and Training Council, shall develop performance standards on the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A) that shall be applicable to programs under this section.

         ; and

      3. (iii)

         in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking indicators and;

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (2), by striking section 116(b)(2)(A) and all that follows through the period at the end of the paragraph and inserting the following:

      section 116(b)(2)(A)—

      1. (A)

         taking into consideration—

         1. (i)

            economic conditions;

         2. (ii)

            characteristics and needs of the individuals and groups served, including the differences in needs among such groups in various geographic service areas; and

         3. (iii)

            other appropriate factors, including the economic circumstances of the communities served; and

      2. (B)

         using, to the extent practicable, the statistical adjustment model under section 116(b)(3)(A)(viii).

      ; and

   3. (C)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (3)
         Program plan—

         The levels agreed to under paragraph (2) shall be the adjusted levels of performance and shall be incorporated in the program plan.

      2. (4)
         Wage records—

         1. (A)
            In general—

            The Secretary shall make arrangements with any State or other appropriate entity to facilitate the use of State wage records to evaluate the performance of entities funded under this section on the employment and earnings indicators described in subclauses (I) through (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) for the purposes of the report required under paragraph (5).

         2. (B)
            Other wage records—

            For any individual working in Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code) whose wages are not submitted to a relevant State as an unemployment insurance wage record, the Indian tribe with jurisdiction over that Indian country may submit other forms of documentation of the wages of such individual to the State for purposes of the report required under paragraph (5).

      3. (5)
         Performance results—

         For each program year, the Secretary shall make available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Labor a report on the performance, during such program year, of entities funded under this section on—

         1. (A)

            the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A); and

         2. (B)

            the adjusted levels of performance for such entities as described in paragraph (2).

      ; and

7. (7)

   in subsection (i)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (4)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (A)—

         1. (I)

            by striking Using and inserting the following:

            1. (i)
               Establishment—

               Using

            ; and

         2. (II)

            by adding at the end the following:

            1. (ii)
               Recommendations—

               The Secretary shall meet, on not less than an annual basis, with the Council to consider recommendations from the Council on the operation and administration of the programs assisted under this section.

            ;

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (B)—

         1. (I)

            by striking The Council and inserting the following:

            1. (i)
               In general—

               The Council

            ; and

         2. (II)

            by inserting at the end the following:

            1. (ii)
               Vacancies—

               An individual appointed to fill a vacancy on the Council occurring before the expiration of the term for which the predecessor of such individual was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. Such an individual may serve on the Council after the expiration of such term until a successor is appointed.

            ; and

      3. (iii)

         in subparagraph (F), by inserting , virtually or in person before the period at the end; and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (6)—

      1. (i)

         by striking more than one State and inserting a State;

      2. (ii)

         by inserting or provided by another grantee that receives funds awarded under subtitle B from any State for adult, youth, or dislocated worker programs after this title;

      3. (iii)

         by striking Governors of the affected States and inserting Governor of any affected State; and

      4. (iv)

         by striking the States and inserting the State or other grantee.

Section 167 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3222) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (b)—

   1. (A)

      by striking To be and inserting the following:

      1. (1)
         In general—

         To be

      ; and

   2. (B)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (2)
         Prohibition on geographic limitations—

         In determining eligibility under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not place limitations on the geographic location of the entity or on the intended area to be served.

      ;

2. (2)

   in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:

   1. (5)
      Wage records—

      The Secretary shall make arrangements with a State or other appropriate entity to facilitate the use of State wage records to evaluate the performance of entities funded under this section on the employment and earnings indicators described in subclauses (I) through (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) for the purposes of the report required under paragraph (6).

   2. (6)
      Performance results—

      For each program year, the Secretary shall make available on a publicly accessible website of the Department a report on the performance, during such program year, of entities funded under this section on—

      1. (A)

         the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A); and

      2. (B)

         the adjusted levels of performance for such entities as described in paragraph (3).

   ;

3. (3)

   in subsection (d)(1), by inserting development of digital literacy skills, after literacy instruction,;

4. (4)

   by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) as subsections (f) through (j), respectively;

5. (5)

   by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

   1. (e)
      Administrative costs—

      Not more than 10 percent of the funds provided to an entity under this section may be used for the administrative costs of the activities and services carried out under subsection (d).

   ; and

6. (6)

   in subsection (i), as so redesignated—

   1. (A)

      in the heading, by striking Allocation and inserting allocation; funding obligation;

   2. (B)

      by striking From and inserting the following:

      1. (1)
         Funding allocation—

         From

      ; and

   3. (C)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (2)
         Funding obligation—

         Funds appropriated and made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year may be obligated by the Secretary during the period beginning on April 1 of the calendar year that begins during such fiscal year and ending on June 30 of the following calendar year to be made available to an entity described in subsection (b).

      .

1. (a)
   General technical assistance—

   Section 168(a)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3223(a)(1)) is amended—

   1. (1)

      by striking appropriate training, technical assistance, staff development and inserting appropriate education, technical assistance, professional development for staff;

   2. (2)

      in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), by striking training each place it appears and inserting professional development;

   3. (3)

      by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (J) and (K), respectively; and

   4. (4)

      by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:

      1. (G)

         assistance to the one-stop delivery system and the Employment Service established under the Wagner-Peyser Act for the integration of basic career service activities pursuant to section 134(c)(2)(A);

      2. (H)

         assistance to States with maintaining, and making accessible to jobseekers and employers, the lists of eligible providers of training services required under section 122;

      3. (I)

         assistance to States that apply for such assistance under section 122(j) for the purposes described in such subsection;

      .

2. (b)
   Performance accountability technical assistance—

   Section 168(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3223(b)) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in the header, by striking Dislocated worker and inserting Performance accountability; and

   2. (2)

      in paragraph (1)—

      1. (A)

         in the first sentence—

         1. (i)

            by inserting , pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 116(f), after technical assistance; and

         2. (ii)

            by striking with respect to employment and training activities for dislocated workers and inserting with respect to the core programs; and

      2. (B)

         in the second sentence—

         1. (i)

            by striking assistance to dislocated workers and inserting assistance to individuals served by a core program; and

         2. (ii)

            by striking provided to dislocated workers and inserting provided to such individuals.

3. (c)
   Communities impacted by substance use disorders—

   Section 168 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3223) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

   1. (d)
      Communities impacted by substance use disorders—

      The Secretary shall, as part of the activities described in subsection (c)(2), evaluate and disseminate to States and local areas information regarding evidence-based and promising practices for addressing the economic workforce impacts associated with high rates of substance use disorders, which information shall—

      1. (1)

         be updated annually to reflect the most recent and available research; and

      2. (2)

         include information—

         1. (A)

            shared by States and local areas regarding effective practices for addressing such impacts; and

         2. (B)

            on how to apply for any funding that may be available under section 170(b)(1)(E).

   .

1. (a)
   In general—

   Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3224) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in subsection (a)—

      1. (A)

         in paragraph (2)—

         1. (i)

            by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (H);

         2. (ii)

            in subparagraph (F)—

            1. (I)

               by striking ; and at the end; and

            2. (II)

               by inserting , including individuals with barriers to employment after demographic groups; and

         3. (iii)

            by inserting the following after subparagraph (F):

            1. (G)

               the extent to which such programs or activities are using emerging technology to—

               1. (i)

                  collect, analyze, use, and disseminate accurate and transparent local and State level labor market information;

               2. (ii)

                  integrate administrative data, in accordance with Federal and State privacy laws, to more comprehensively understand and improve education and workforce outcomes; and

               3. (iii)

                  identify and address deficiencies in existing Federal, State, and local workforce data infrastructure and related source systems; and

            ;

      2. (B)

         in paragraph (3)—

         1. (i)

            by striking The Secretary and inserting the following:

            1. (A)
               In general—

               The Secretary

            ; and

         2. (ii)

            by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

            1. (B)
               Limitation—

               The Secretary may not use the authority described in subparagraph (A) if the evaluations required under paragraph (1) have not been initiated or completed in the time period required.

            ; and

      3. (C)

         in paragraph (4), in the second sentence—

         1. (i)

            by striking The Secretary and inserting Beginning after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary; and

         2. (ii)

            by striking 2019 and inserting 2028; and

   2. (2)

      in subsection (b)—

      1. (A)

         by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:

         1. (4)
            Studies and reports—

            1. (A)
               Study on employment conditions—

               The Secretary, in coordination with other heads of Federal agencies, as appropriate, may conduct a study examining the nature of participants’ unsubsidized employment after exit from programs carried out under this Act—

               1. (i)

                  including with respect to factors such as the availability of paid time off in the employment, health and retirement benefits provided through the employment, workplace safety standards at the place of employment, the predictability and stability of the work schedule for the employment, the ability to obtain through the employment credentials that may permit articulation into a higher level or other degree or credential program, and advancement opportunities in the employment; and

               2. (ii)

                  that includes a description of the feasibility of Congress establishing, through future legislation, an indicator of performance under section 116 related to such factors.

            2. (B)
               Study on improving workforce services for individuals with disabilities—

               The Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, may conduct studies that analyze the access to services by individuals with disabilities, including whether an individual who is unable to receive services under title IV due to a wait list for such services is able to receive services under titles I through III.

            3. (C)
               Study on the effectiveness of pay for performance—

               The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that—

               1. (i)

                  compares the effectiveness of the pay-for-performance strategies used under sections 129, 134, and 172 after such date of enactment to the awarding of grants and contracts under such sections as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of such Act; and

               2. (ii)

                  examines, with respect to grants under sections 129, 134, and 172 after such date of enactment—

                  1. (I)

                     the competition structure of pay-for-performance grants and contracts under such sections;

                  2. (II)

                     the quality of applications received for grants and contracts under such sections; and

                  3. (III)

                     whether individuals with barriers to employment were effectively served under the pay-for-performance strategies for grants and contracts under such sections.

            4. (D)
               Study on individual training accounts for dislocated workers—

               The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that compares the usage of individual training accounts for dislocated workers after such date of enactment to the usage of such accounts prior to such date of enactment, including a comparison of—

               1. (i)

                  the types of training services and occupations targeted by dislocated workers when using their individual training accounts; and

               2. (ii)

                  the effectiveness of the skills development funded through individual training accounts in helping such individuals attain credentials and secure unsubsidized employment.

            5. (E)
               Study on statewide critical industry skills funds—

               The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that will review the usage of statewide critical industry skills funds established by States under section 134(a)(4) and identify, for purposes of measuring the overall effectiveness of the program—

               1. (i)

                  the industries targeted by the funds under section 134(a)(4);

               2. (ii)

                  the occupations for which workers are being upskilled;

               3. (iii)

                  how frequently skills development is provided to prospective workers and incumbent workers, and

               4. (iv)

                  the reported performance outcomes.

            6. (F)
               Study on industry or sector partnership and career pathways development funds—

               The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that will review the usage of industry or sector partnership and career pathways development funds established by States under section 134(a)(5) and identify, for purposes of measuring the overall effectiveness of the program—

               1. (i)

                  the industries targeted by the funds under section 134(a)(5) and the growth in employment opportunities in such industries over the period of the study;

               2. (ii)

                  the occupations workers are receiving skills development for and how frequently such skills development is occurring through the funds under section 134(a)(5);

               3. (iii)

                  the States where such funds were used to establish new industry or sector partnerships, the States where such funds were used to expand existing industry or sector partnerships, and an overview of the types of partners participating in such partnerships; and

               4. (iv)

                  the reported performance outcomes.

            7. (G)
               Study on the effectiveness of employer-based training—

               The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that measures the effectiveness of on-the-job training, employer-directed skills training, apprenticeship, and incumbent worker training under this title in preparing jobseekers and workers, including those with barriers to employment, for unsubsidized employment. Such study shall include the cost per participant and wage and employment outcomes, as compared to other methods of training.

            8. (H)
               Study on the effectiveness and use of emerging technology in the workforce development system—

               The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that—

               1. (i)

                  measures the effectiveness of emerging technology (including artificial intelligence and machine learning) and other advanced computational methods, in improving State workforce development system service delivery, labor market data system performance, data collection and integration to understand participant and program outcomes, and end-user tools for facilitating career exploration or related data insights;

               2. (ii)

                  measures the extent to which States have adopted and implemented such technology and methods in their workforce development systems, including by describing how the technology or method is being used, analyzing the accuracy of such technology or method, and identifying any exhibited bias by any such technology or method; and

               3. (iii)

                  includes an analysis of the consequences of advances in automation technology on employment opportunities, skills development, including digital literacy skills development, and worker dislocation.

            9. (I)
               Study on the alignment between education and workforce development systems—

               The Secretary of Labor, shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study on the alignment of workforce development programs under this Act with elementary and secondary education and postsecondary education. The study shall examine—

               1. (i)

                  State efforts to integrate data related to career and technical education programs, dual enrollment programs, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships, and other work-based learning programs to inform decisionmaking and improve educational opportunities and outcomes;

               2. (ii)

                  challenges related to and strategies that promote such alignment to facilitate student participation in high-quality college and career pathways; and

               3. (iii)

                  governance structures and funding sources to promote such alignment.

            10. (J)
                Study on job corps—

                The Secretary of Labor shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct an evaluation that—

                1. (i)

                   uses the most rigorous available methods that are appropriate and feasible to evaluate program effectiveness;

                2. (ii)

                   measures the effect of the Job Corps program on participating individuals on outcomes related to the purposes described in section 141(1), including educational attainment, employment, earnings, and other related outcomes, compared with the non-participant peers of those individuals, to determine if the program has a statistically significant effect (including long-term effects) on such outcomes; and

                3. (iii)

                   evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the program.

            11. (K)
                Reports—

                The Secretary shall prepare and disseminate to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, and on the publicly available website of the Department, reports containing the results of the studies conducted under this paragraph.

         ; and

      2. (B)

         in paragraph (5), by adding at the end the following:

         1. (C)
            Evaluation of grants—

            1. (i)
               In general—

               For each grant or contract awarded under this paragraph, the Secretary shall conduct a rigorous evaluation of the multistate project to determine the impact of the activities supported by the project, including the impact on the employment and earnings of program participants.

            2. (ii)
               Report—

               The Secretary shall prepare and disseminate to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, and to the public, including through electronic means, reports containing the results of evaluations conducted under this subparagraph.

         .

2. (b)
   Workforce data quality initiative—

   Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3224) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

   1. (d)
      Workforce data quality initiative—

      1. (1)
         Grant program—

         Of the amount made available pursuant to section 132(a)(2)(A) for any program year, the Secretary shall use not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent of such amount, and may also use funds authorized for purposes of carrying out this section, to award grants to eligible entities to create workforce longitudinal data systems, talent marketplaces, and associated resources for the purposes of assisting States to—

         1. (A)

            improve program quality;

         2. (B)

            produce evidence for decision making;

         3. (C)

            meet performance reporting requirements;

         4. (D)

            protect the privacy of users; and

         5. (E)

            improve transparency in relation to labor market trends and changes in job skills needed to obtain employment.

      2. (2)
         Application—

         To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, which shall include—

         1. (A)

            a description of the activities the eligible entity is proposing, including a description of the need for such activities and a detailed budget;

         2. (B)

            a description of the expected outcomes and outputs (such as systems or products) that will result from the proposed activities and the proposed uses of such outputs;

         3. (C)

            a description of how the proposed activities will support the reporting of performance data for the performance accountability requirements under section 116, including outcomes for eligible training providers;

         4. (D)

            a description of the methods and procedures the eligible entity will use to ensure the security and privacy of the collection, storage, and use of all data involved in the systems and resources supported through the grant, including compliance with State and Federal privacy and confidentiality law;

         5. (E)

            a plan for how the eligible entity will continue the activities or sustain the use of the outputs created with the grant funds after the grant period ends; and

         6. (F)

            a description of how the eligible entity will ensure interoperability and portability between the talent marketplace maintained by the eligible entity and other talent marketplaces through the use of open standards.

      3. (3)
         Priority—

         In awarding grants under the subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—

         1. (A)

            are—

            1. (i)

               State agencies of States that have not previously received a grant from the Secretary for the purposes of this subsection and demonstrate a substantial need to improve its data infrastructure, including for the development of a talent marketplace; or

            2. (ii)

               consortia of State agencies that are comprised of State agencies from multiple States and include at least one State agency described in clause (i) and have the capacity to make significant contributions toward building interoperable and portable interstate data infrastructure; and

         2. (B)

            will use grant funds to—

            1. (i)

               expand the adoption and use of linked, publicly available, and interoperable data on knowledge, skills, and abilities represented through credentials, occupational job descriptions, and learning assertions, including through the development of a talent marketplace or other tools and services designed to help learners and workers make informed decisions;

            2. (ii)

               participate in and contribute data to a multistate data collaborative, including data that provides participating States the ability to better understand—

               1. (I)

                  earnings and employment outcomes of individuals who work out-of-State; and

               2. (II)

                  interstate earnings and employment trends;

            3. (iii)

               enhance collaboration with private sector workforce and labor market data entities and the end-users of workforce and labor market data, including individuals, employers, economic development agencies, and workforce development providers;

            4. (iv)

               leverage the use of non-Federal contributions to improve workforce data infrastructure, including staff capacity building; or

            5. (v)

               expand existing statewide integrated longitudinal data systems, including such systems receiving assistance under section 208 of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9607).

      4. (4)
         Use of funds—

         In addition to the activities described in paragraph (3)(B), an eligible entity awarded a grant under this subsection may use funds to carry out any of the following activities:

         1. (A)

            Developing or enhancing a State’s workforce longitudinal data system, including by participating and contributing data to the State’s data system, if applicable, that links with elementary and secondary school and postsecondary data.

         2. (B)

            Accelerating the replication and adoption of data systems, projects, products, or practices already in use in one or more States to other States.

         3. (C)

            Research and labor market data improvement activities to improve the timeliness, relevance, and accessibility of such data through pilot projects that are developed locally but designed to scale to other regions or States.

         4. (D)

            Establishing or enhancing a talent marketplace.

         5. (E)

            Developing policies, guidelines, and security measures for data collection, storing, and sharing to ensure compliance with relevant Federal and State privacy laws and regulations.

         6. (F)

            Increasing local board access to and integration with the State’s workforce longitudinal data system in a secure manner.

         7. (G)

            Creating or participating in a data exchange for collecting and using standards-based jobs and employment data including, at a minimum, job titles or occupation codes.

         8. (H)

            Improving State and local staff capacity to understand, use, and analyze data to improve decision-making and improve participant outcomes.

      5. (5)
         Administration—

         1. (A)
            Duration—

            A grant awarded under this subsection may be for a period of up to 3 years.

         2. (B)
            Supplement, not supplant—

            Funds made available under this subsection shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds used for development of State data systems.

         3. (C)
            Report—

            Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall submit a report to the Secretary not later than 180 days after the conclusion of the grant period on the activities supported through the grant and improvements in the use of workforce and labor market information that have resulted from such activities.

      6. (6)
         Definition—

         In this subsection—

         1. (A)
            Eligible entity—

            The term ‘eligible entity’ means a State agency, including a State workforce agency or a consortium of State agencies, including a multistate data collaborative, that is or includes the State agency responsible for—

            1. (i)

               State employer wage records used by the State’s unemployment insurance programs in labor market information reporting and analysis and for fulfilling the reporting requirements under section 116(d);

            2. (ii)

               the production of labor market information; and

            3. (iii)

               the direct administration of one or more of the core programs.

         2. (B)
            Multistate data collaborative—

            The term multistate data collaborative means a partnership among two or more States to coordinate the governance and standards for workforce related data maintained by such States in order to facilitate interoperability and the secure exchange of such data between such States.

   .

Section 170 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3225) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (b)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (C), by striking and at the end;

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

      3. (iii)

         by adding at the end the following:

         1. (E)

            to an entity described in subsection (c)(1)(B) to provide employment and training activities related to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, including addiction treatment, mental health treatment, and pain management, in an area that, as a result of widespread substance use, addiction, and overdoses, has higher-than-average demand for such activities that exceeds the availability of State and local resources to provide such activities.

         ; and

   2. (B)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (3)
         Performance results—

         The Secretary shall collect the necessary information from each entity receiving a grant under this section to determine the performance of such entity on the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) and make such information available on the publicly accessible website of the Department in a format that does not reveal personally identifiable information.

      ; and

2. (2)

   in subsection (c)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1)(A)—

      1. (i)

         by striking subsection (b)(1)(A) and inserting subparagraph (A) or (E) of subsection (b)(1); and

      2. (ii)

         by striking , in such manner, and containing such information and inserting and in such manner; and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (2)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (B)—

         1. (I)

            in the heading, by striking Retraining and inserting Reskilling; and

         2. (II)

            by striking retraining and inserting reskilling;

      2. (ii)

         by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and

      3. (iii)

         by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

         1. (C)
            Substance use related grants—

            In order to be eligible to receive employment and training assistance under a national dislocated worker grant awarded pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(E), an individual shall be—

            1. (i)

               a dislocated worker;

            2. (ii)

               a long-term unemployed individual;

            3. (iii)

               an individual who is unemployed or significantly underemployed as a result of widespread substance use in the area; or

            4. (iv)

               an individual who is employed or seeking employment in a health care profession involved in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, including such professions that provide addiction treatment, mental health treatment, or pain management.

         .

Section 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3226) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (b)(7), by striking (25 U.S.C. 450b) and inserting (25 U.S.C. 5304);

2. (2)

   in subsection (c)—

   1. (A)

      by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

      1. (1)
         Amount of grants; reservation—

         1. (A)
            Amount of grants—

            Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary is authorized to make grants to applicants for the purpose of carrying out YouthBuild programs approved under this section.

         2. (B)
            Reservation for rural areas and Indian tribes—

            1. (i)
               Tribal reservation—

               Subject to clause (iii), in carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reserve not less than 5 percent of the total amount appropriated for the purposes of that subparagraph to make grants to applicants that are—

               1. (I)

                  Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or Native Hawaiian organizations (as such term is defined in section 166(b)); or

               2. (II)

                  carrying out programs for the benefit of Indians.

            2. (ii)
               Rural reservation—

               Subject to clause (iii), in carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reserve not less than 10 percent of the total amount appropriated for purposes of that subparagraph to make grants to applicants that are located in rural areas.

            3. (iii)
               Exception—

               If the Secretary does not receive a sufficient number of applications of sufficient quality to award the amounts reserved under clause (i) or amounts reserved under clause (ii) in accordance with the requirements of the applicable clause, the Secretary may—

               1. (I)

                  award grants to applicants described in clause (i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 per grant; and

               2. (II)

                  use any remaining amount reserved under the applicable clause to, notwithstanding the requirements of that clause, award grants under subparagraph (A) to other applications that are not described in such clause.

      ;

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (2)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (A)—

         1. (I)

            in clause (iv)—

            1. (aa)

               in subclause (II), by striking language learners and inserting learners;

            2. (bb)

               in subclause (III), by striking a secondary and inserting a regular high; and

            3. (cc)

               in subclause (IV), by striking required and inserting available Federal, State, or institutional;

         2. (II)

            in clause (v), by striking drug and alcohol abuse and inserting substance use disorder;

         3. (III)

            in clause (vii)—

            1. (aa)

               by inserting to ensure full participation in a YouthBuild program, including such services for individuals with disabilities, after services; and

            2. (bb)

               by inserting unsubsidized after retaining; and

         4. (IV)

            in clause (viii), by inserting , including career services after assistance; and

      2. (ii)

         by adding at the end the following:

         1. (I)

            Provision of meals and other food assistance to participants in conjunction with another activity described in this paragraph.

         2. (J)

            Provision of information on and referral to Federal and State means tested programs.

         ;

   3. (C)

      in paragraph (3)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (A), by striking such time, in such manner, and containing such information and inserting such time and in such manner; and

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (B)—

         1. (I)

            in the header, by striking Minimum requirements and inserting Requirements;

         2. (II)

            by striking , at a minimum;

         3. (III)

            in clause (iii), by striking unions and inserting labor organizations;

         4. (IV)

            by amending clause (v) to read as follows:

            1. (v)

               a description of the educational and job training activities, work opportunities, postsecondary education and training opportunities, and other services that will be provided to participants, and how those activities, opportunities, and services will—

               1. (I)

                  prepare youth for employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the labor market area described in clause (i); and

               2. (II)

                  support youth in attaining a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;

            ;

         5. (V)

            in clause (vii), by striking (including agencies of Indian tribes) and inserting , Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal educational agencies (as such term is defined in section 6132(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452(b)));

         6. (VI)

            in clause (x), by inserting located in the region proposed to be served by such applicant, as applicable after tribes;

         7. (VII)

            by amending clause (xii) to read as follows:

            1. (xii)

               a description of the levels of performance the applicant expects to achieve on the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii);

            ;

         8. (VIII)

            in clause (xiii), by striking unions and inserting labor organizations;

         9. (IX)

            by redesignating clauses (xv) through (xxi) as clauses (xvi) through (xxii), respectively; and

         10. (X)

             by inserting after clause (xiv) the following:

             1. (xv)

                a description of any strategies the applicant will use to engage program participants in providing feedback and informing decision-making related to the program;

             ; and

   4. (D)

      in paragraph (4)—

      1. (i)

         by striking such selection criteria as the Secretary shall establish under this section, which shall include criteria and inserting selection criteria;

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (J)(iii), by adding and after the semicolon;

      3. (iii)

         in subparagraph (K), by striking ; and and inserting a period; and

      4. (iv)

         by striking subparagraph (L);

3. (3)

   in subsection (e)(1)(B)(i)—

   1. (A)

      by striking are basic skills deficient and inserting have foundational skill needs; and

   2. (B)

      by striking secondary and inserting regular high;

4. (4)

   in subsection (f), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

   1. (2)
      Use of wage records—

      The Secretary shall make arrangements with a State or other appropriate entity to facilitate the use of State wage records to evaluate the performance of YouthBuild programs funded under this section on the employment and earnings indicators described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) for the purposes of the report required under paragraph (3).

   2. (3)
      Performance results—

      For each program year, the Secretary shall make available, on a publicly accessible website of the Department, a report on the performance of YouthBuild programs, during such program year, funded under this section on—

      1. (A)

         the primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii); and

      2. (B)

         the expected levels of performance for such programs as described in paragraph (1).

   3. (4)
      Consultation—

      In establishing expected levels of performance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult, on not less than an annual basis, with entities carrying out YouthBuild programs to ensure such levels of performance account for the workforce development and postsecondary education experiences of youth served by such programs.

   ;

5. (5)

   in subsection (g), by inserting at the end the following:

   1. (4)
      Annual release of funding opportunity announcement—

      The Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable, announce new funding opportunities for grants under this section during the same time period each year for which such grants are available.

   ; and

6. (6)

   by amending subsection (i) to read as follows:

   1. (i)
      Authorization of appropriations—

      There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $105,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

   .

Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended—

1. (1)

   by redesignating section 172 as section 175; and

2. (2)

   by inserting after section 171 the following:

   172.Reentry employment opportunities(a)PurposesThe purposes of this section are—(1)to improve the employment, earnings, and skill attainment, and reduce recidivism, of adults and youth who have been involved with the justice system;(2)to prompt innovation and improvement in the reentry of offenders into the workforce so that successful initiatives can be established or continued, and replicated; and(3)to further develop the evidence on how to improve employment, earnings, and skill attainment, and reduce recidivism, of offenders, through rigorous evaluations of specific services provided, including how they affect different populations and how they are best combined and sequenced, and disseminate such evidence to entities supporting the reentry of offenders is into the workforce.(b)Reentry employment opportunities program(1)In generalFrom the amounts appropriated under section 175(e) and not reserved under subsection (h), the Secretary shall carry out a Reentry Employment Opportunities Program, through which the Secretary—(A)except as provided in subparagraph (B), in order to implement reentry projects that serve eligible adults or eligible youth shall, on a competitive basis—(i)make direct awards (through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements) to eligible entities to implement such reentry projects; and(ii)in any year for which the Secretary makes awards under clause (i), make intermediary awards to eligible entities who are national or regional intermediaries, who shall use the award funds—(I)to make direct awards to eligible entities to implement such reentry projects; or(II)to implement such reentry projects; and(B)in order to implement youth reentry employment opportunities projects, through that program, that serve eligible youth shall, on a competitive basis—(i)make direct awards to youth project eligible entities to implement such youth reentry projects; and(ii)in any year for which the Secretary makes awards under clause (i), make intermediary awards to youth project eligible entities who are national or regional intermediaries, who shall use the award funds—(I)to make direct awards to youth project eligible entities to implement such youth reentry projects; or(II)to implement such youth reentry projects.(2)Allocation to activitiesFrom the amounts appropriated under section 175(e) and not reserved under subsection (h), the Secretary—(A)shall use not less than 20 percent of such amounts for awards under paragraph (1)(A) to eligible entities to serve as national or regional intermediaries to provide the award funds to other eligible entities—(i)to implement reentry projects described in paragraph (1)(A); and(ii)to monitor and support such entities;(B)shall use not less than 20 percent of such amounts for direct or intermediary awards under paragraph (1)(B) to—(i)implement youth reentry projects described in paragraph (1)(B); and(ii)in cases in which the award recipients make direct awards to other youth reentry project eligible entities, monitor and support such entities;(C)shall use 20 percent of such amounts, from the portion reserved to carry out paragraph (1)(A), to award funds to eligible entities using pay-for-performance contracts—(i)that specify a fixed amount that will be paid to such an entity based on the achievement, within a defined timeframe, of proposed levels of performance described under subsection (e)(2)(A) on the indicators of performance described in subsection (e)(1)(A)(i); and(ii)which may provide for bonus payments to such entity to expand capacity to provide effective services; and(D)shall ensure awards made under this section are made to eligible entities from geographically diverse areas, in addition to giving the priorities described in paragraph (5).(3)Initial award periodsThe Secretary shall make an award under this section for an initial period of not more than 4 years.(4)Additional awardsThe Secretary may make, for a period of not more than 4 years, 1 or more additional awards to an eligible entity that received an award under this section if the eligible entity achieved the levels of performance agreed upon with the Secretary (as described in subsection (e)(2)) for the most recent award period.(5)PriorityIn awarding funds under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities whose applications submitted under subsection (c) demonstrate a commitment to use such funds to implement a reentry project—(A)that will serve a high-poverty area;(B)that will enroll eligible youth or eligible adults—(i)prior to the release of such individuals from incarceration in a correctional institution; or(ii)not later than 90 days after such release;(C)whose strategy and design are evidence-based;(D)for which the eligible entity will establish a partnership with—(i)a business;(ii)an institution of higher education or provider under section 122 (as determined by the State where services are being provided) to provide project participants with a program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential in an in-demand industry sector or occupation;(iii)a local educational agency; or(iv)an agency that receives assistance for a program under section 225;(E)that provides training services, including employment-directed skills development and on-the-job training, that are designed to meet the specific requirements of an employer (including a group of employers), industry, or sector, and are conducted with a commitment by the employer to employ individuals upon successful completion of the preparation; and(F)that will serve a rural area.(6)Construction(A)Projects with intermediariesAn intermediary who receives funds under paragraph (1), to the extent that the intermediary uses the funds to make direct awards to eligible entities, shall carry out the functions of the Secretary described in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of this subsection, and paragraphs (1), (2) (other than paragraph (2)(J)), and (4) of subsection (c).(B)Reentry employment opportunities program projectsFor purposes of this section, a reference to an eligible entity, used with respect to a youth reentry project carried out under paragraph (1)(B), shall be considered to be a reference to a youth project eligible entity.(c)Application(1)Form and procedureTo be qualified to receive funds under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, and in such manner, as is determined by the Secretary, and containing the information described in paragraph (2) and, as applicable, paragraph (3) or (4).(2)ContentsAn application submitted by an eligible entity under paragraph (1) shall contain the following:(A)A description of the eligible entity, including the experience of the eligible entity in providing education, employment, and training services for offenders.(B)A description of the needs that will be addressed by the reentry project supported by the funds received under this section and the target participant population and the geographic area to be served.(C)A description of the proposed education, employment, and training services and supportive services, if applicable, to be provided under such reentry project, and how such activities will prepare participants for employment in an in-demand industry sector or occupation within the geographic area to be served by such reentry project.(D)The anticipated schedule for carrying out the activities proposed for the reentry project.(E)A description of—(i)the partnerships the eligible entity will establish with agencies and entities within the criminal justice system, agencies and entities within the juvenile justice system, local boards, one-stop operators, one-stop partners, community-based organizations, and employers (including local businesses) to provide participants in the reentry project with work-based learning, job placement, and recruitment (if applicable); and(ii)how the eligible entity will coordinate its activities with other services and benefits available to offenders in the geographic area to be served by the reentry project.(F)A description of the manner in which individuals will be recruited and selected for participation for the reentry project.(G)A detailed budget and a description of the system of fiscal controls, and auditing and accountability procedures, that will be used to ensure fiscal soundness for the reentry project.(H)A description of the proposed levels of performance to be achieved with respect to the indicators of performance described in subsection (e).(I)A description of the evidence-based practices the eligible entity will use in administration of the reentry project.(J)An assurance that the eligible entity will collect, disaggregate by each subpopulation of individuals with barriers to employment, and by race, ethnicity, sex, and age, and report to the Secretary the data required with respect to the reentry project carried out by the eligible entity for purposes of determining levels of performance achieved and conducting the evaluation under this section.(K)An assurance that the eligible entity will provide a match as described in subsection (d)(4).(L)A description of how the eligible entity plans to continue the reentry project after the award period.(M)For any project offering a recognized postsecondary credential, a description of how the project leads to the credential.(N)For a project that also serves as a program carried out under section 225, a description of how the award funds will be used to carry out the education described in section 225, in conjunction with the activities described in subsection (d).(3)Additional content for intermediary applicantsAn application submitted by an eligible entity seeking to serve as a national or regional intermediary as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (b)(1) shall also contain each of the following:(A)An identification and description of the eligible entities that will be subawardees of such intermediary and implement the reentry projects, which shall include subawardees in—(i)3 or more noncontiguous metropolitan areas or rural areas; and(ii)not fewer than 2 States.(B)A description of the services and supports the intermediary will provide to the subawardees, including administrative and fiscal support to ensure the subawardees comply with all subaward requirements.(C)A description of how the intermediary will facilitate the replication of evidence-based practices or other best practices identified by the intermediary across all subawardees.(D)If such intermediary is currently receiving, or has previously received, funds under this section as an intermediary to implement a reentry project, an assurance that none of the subawardees identified under subparagraph (A) are current or were previous subawardees of the intermediary for such reentry project and failed to meet the levels of performance established for such reentry project.(4)Additional content for youth REO applicationsAn application submitted under paragraph (1) by a youth project eligible entity seeking to serve youth applicants through an award described in subsection (b)(1)(B) shall also contain the following:(A)A description of—(i)how the youth reentry project will facilitate the enrollment of eligible youth in a program of a local educational agency, a program of adult education and literacy activities, a YouthBuild program, the Job Corps, or a program of an institution of higher education;(ii)how the youth reentry project will connect eligible youth with mentors or peer support groups to provide guidance, encouragement, and positive role modeling during the reentry process;(iii)how the youth reentry project will involve family members, guardians, and other supportive people in an eligible youth’s life in the reentry process;(iv)how the youth reentry project will provide or support access to counseling and substance use disorder programs for an eligible youth;(v)how the youth reentry project will assist eligible youth to find safe and stable housing;(vi)how the youth reentry project will ensure activities carried out under an award described in subsection (b)(1)(B) are designed to meet the needs of the population served; and(vii)the experience of the eligible entity in providing services to youth, including eligible youth, and the strategies the eligible entity will use to ensure that services provided are age-appropriate for eligible youth.(B)A description of how a youth project eligible entity plans to provide skills development, for stakeholders involved in an eligible youth’s reentry, on best practices pertaining to eligible youth and reentry.(d)Uses of funds(1)Required activitiesAn eligible entity that receives funds under this section shall use such funds to implement a reentry project for eligible adults, eligible youth, or both, that provides each of the following:(A)One or more of the individualized career services listed in subclauses (I) through (IX) of section 134(c)(2)(B)(vii).(B)One or more of the training services listed in clauses (i) through (xi) in section 134(c)(3)(D), including subsidized employment opportunities through transitional jobs.(C)For participants who are eligible youth, 1 or more of the program elements listed in subparagraphs (A) through (O) of section 129(c)(2).(2)Allowable activitiesAn eligible entity that receives funds under this section may use such funds to provide to eligible adults, eligible youth, or both, each of the following:(A)Followup services after placement in unsubsidized employment as described in section 134(c)(2)(B)(viii).(B)Apprenticeship programs.(C)Education in digital literacy skills.(D)Mentoring.(E)Assistance in obtaining employment, including as a result of the eligible entity—(i)establishing and developing relationships and networks with large and small employers; and(ii)coordinating with employers to develop employer-directed skills development programs and on-the-job training.(F)Assistance with driver’s license reinstatement (including assistance with removing or expunging records as permitted under the applicable Federal or State law to facilitate that reinstatement) and fees for driver’s licenses and other necessary documents for employment and removing barriers to employment.(G)Provision of or referral to evidence-based mental health treatment by licensed practitioners.(H)Provision of or referral to substance use disorder treatment services, provided that funds awarded under this section are only used to provide such services to participants who are unable to obtain such services through other programs providing such services.(I)Provision of or referral to supportive services, provided that, notwithstanding section 181(h)(2), no more than 10 percent of funds awarded to an eligible entity under this section may be used to provide such services to participants who may be able to obtain such services through other programs providing such services.(3)Administrative cost limitAn eligible entity may not use more than 7 percent of the funds received under this section for administrative costs, including for costs related to collecting information, analysis, and coordination for purposes of subsection (e) or (f).(4)MatchingAn eligible entity shall provide a match, which may be provided in cash or in-kind, for the costs of the project in an amount that is not less than 25 percent of the total amount of funds awarded to the entity under this section for the period involved, except that the Secretary may waive the matching requirement, on a case-by-case basis and for not more than 20 percent of all awards made under this section, if the eligible entity involved demonstrates significant financial hardship.(e)Levels of performance(1)Establishment of levels(A)In generalThe Secretary shall establish expected levels of performance for reentry projects funded under this section for—(i)each of the primary indicators of performance—(I)for adults, as described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(i), for eligible adults in reentry projects for eligible adults or reentry projects for both eligible adults and eligible youth; and(II)for youth, as described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii), for eligible youth in reentry projects for eligible youth or reentry projects for both eligible adults and eligible youth; and(ii)an indicator of performance established by the Secretary with respect to participant recidivism.(B)UpdatesThe levels established under subparagraph (A) shall be updated for each 4-year-award period.(2)Agreement on levels of performanceIn establishing and updating levels of performance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reach agreement on such levels with the eligible entities receiving awards under this section that will be subject to such levels, based on, as the Secretary determines relevant for each indicator of performance applicable under paragraph (1), each of the following factors:(A)The proposed levels of performance of each such eligible entity described in the application submitted under subsection (c)(2)(H).(B)The local economic conditions of the geographic area to be served by each such eligible entity, including differences in unemployment rates and job losses or gains in particular industries.(C)The characteristics of project participants when entering the project involved, including—(i)criminal records;(ii)indicators of work history;(iii)work experience;(iv)educational or occupational skills attainment;(v)levels of literacy or English proficiency;(vi)disability status;(vii)homelessness; and(viii)receipt of public assistance.(3)Failure to meet levels of performanceIn the case of an eligible entity that fails to meet the levels of performance established under paragraph (1) and updated to reflect the actual local economic conditions and characteristics of participants (as described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2)) served by the reentry project involved for any award year, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance to the eligible entity, including the development of a performance improvement plan.(f)Evaluation of reentry projects(1)In generalNot later than 5 years after the first award of funds under this section is made, the Secretary (acting through the Chief Evaluation Officer) shall meet each of the following requirements:(A)Design and conduct of evaluationDesign and conduct an evaluation to evaluate the effectiveness of the reentry projects funded under this section, which meets the requirements of paragraph (2), and includes an evaluation of each of the following:(i)The effectiveness of such projects in assisting individuals with finding unsubsidized employment, and maintaining unsubsidized employment during the second quarter and fourth quarter after exit from the project.(ii)The effectiveness of such projects in assisting individuals with earning recognized postsecondary credentials.(iii)The effectiveness of such projects in relation to their cost, including the extent to which the projects improve reentry outcomes, including in employment, compensation (which may include wages earned and benefits), career advancement, measurable skills gains, and recognized postsecondary credentials earned, and including the extent to which the projects reduce recidivism of participants in comparison to comparably situated individuals who did not participate in such projects.(iv)The effectiveness of specific services and interventions provided and of the overall project design.(v)If applicable, the extent to which such projects effectively serve various demographic groups, including people of different geographic locations, ages, races, national origins, and criminal records, and individuals with disabilities.(vi)If applicable, the appropriateness of the sequencing, combination, or concurrent structure, of services for each subpopulation of individuals who are participants in such projects, such as the order, combination, or concurrent structure of services in which transitional jobs and occupational skills development are provided, to ensure that such participants are prepared to fully benefit from education, employment, and training services provided under the project.(vii)Limitations or barriers to education and employment encountered by participants served by the projects as a result of occupational or educational licensing restrictions.(B)Data accessibilityMake available, on the publicly accessible website managed by the Department of Labor, data collected during the course of evaluation under this subsection, in an aggregated format that does not disclose personally identifiable information.(2)Design requirementsAn evaluation under this subsection—(A)shall—(i)be designed by the Secretary (acting through the Chief Evaluation Officer) in conjunction with the eligible entities carrying out the reentry projects being evaluated;(ii)include analysis of participant feedback and outcome and process measures; and(iii)use designs that employ the most rigorous analytical and statistical methods that are reasonably feasible, such as the use of control groups; and(B)may not—(i)collect personally identifiable information, except to the extent such information is necessary to conduct the evaluation; or(ii)reveal or share personally identifiable information.(3)Publication and reporting of evaluation findingsThe 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 such evaluation;(B)not later than 90 days after the date on which any evaluation is completed under this subsection, publish and make publicly available the results of such evaluation; and(C)not later than 60 days after the completion date described in subparagraph (B), submit to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on such evaluation.(g)Annual report(1)ContentsSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall post, using transparent, linked, open, and interoperable data formats, on the publicly accessible website described in subsection (f)(1)(B), an annual report, covering the most recent program preceding the report, on—(A)the number of individuals who participated in projects assisted under this section during the program year;(B)the percentage of such individuals who successfully completed the requirements of such projects;(C)the performance of eligible entities on such projects as measured by the indicators of performance set forth in subsection (e); and(D)an explanation of any waivers granted by the Secretary of the matching requirement under subsection (d)(4).(2)DisaggregationThe information provided under subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1) with respect to a program year shall be disaggregated by each project assisted under this section for such program year.(h)Reservation of fundsOf the funds appropriated under section 175(e) for a fiscal year, the Secretary—(1)may reserve not more than 5 percent for the administration of awards made under this section, of which not more than 2 percent of the appropriated funds may be reserved for the provision of—(A)technical assistance to eligible entities that receive funds under this section; and(B)outreach and technical assistance to eligible entities desiring to receive such funds, including assistance with application development and submission; and(2)shall reserve not less than 1 percent and not more than 2.5 percent for the evaluation activities under subsection (f) or to support eligible entities with any required data collection, analysis, and coordination related to such evaluation activities.(i)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)AwardThe term award means an award of funds through a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.(2)Chief Evaluation officerThe term Chief Evaluation Officer means the head of the independent evaluation office located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy of the Department of Labor.(3)Correctional institutionThe term correctional institution has the meaning given the term in section 225(e).(4)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means—(A)a private nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code, including a community-based or faith-based organization;(B)a local board;(C)a State or local government;(D)an Indian or Native American entity eligible for grants under section 166;(E)a labor organization or joint labor-management organization;(F)an industry or sector partnership;(G)an institution of higher education; or(H)a consortium of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (G).(5)Eligible adultThe term eligible adult means an offender who is age 25 or older.(6)Eligible youthThe term eligible youth means an offender who is not younger than age 14 or older than age 24.(7)High-povertyThe term high-poverty, when used with respect to a geographic area, means an area with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as determined based on the most recently available data from the American Community Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census.(8)OffenderNotwithstanding section 3, the term offender means—(A)an individual of any age who—(i)not more than 5 years before enrollment in a project funded under subsection (b)(1)—(I)was released from incarceration in a correctional institution (including being enrolled in a work release center at the institution); or(II)finished serving an alternative sentence, or a sentence to a diversion program, ordered through the adult criminal justice system; or(ii)on such date of enrollment, is subject to the adult criminal justice system, including an individual who—(I)is incarcerated in a correctional institution (including being enrolled in a work release center at the institution), but is scheduled to be released not more than 180 days after such date of enrollment;(II)is residing in a residential reentry center;(III)is subject to electronic or home-based monitoring;(IV)is in the community on probation or parole; or(V)is serving an alternative sentence, or a sentence to a diversion program, ordered through that system; or(B)an individual who—(i)is not younger than age 14 or older than age 24; and(ii)has been—(I)charged with, or convicted of, any criminal offense; or(II)charged with, detained for, or adjudicated of, a delinquent act or status offense in a juvenile court.(9)Youth project eligible entityThe term youth project eligible entity means—(A)an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; or(B)a State or local juvenile justice agency, or a State or local adult correctional agency with a focus on eligible youth.

   .

Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is further amended by inserting after section 172, as added by the preceding section, the following:

Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is further amended by inserting after section 173, as added by the preceding section, the following:

Section 175 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as so redesignated, is amended—

1. (1)

   by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (g) and (h), respectively; and

2. (2)

   by striking subsections (a) through (d) and inserting the following:

   1. (a)
      Native American programs—

      There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 166 (not including subsection (k) of such section) $62,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

   2. (b)
      Migrant and seasonal farmworker programs—

      There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 167 $97,396,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

   3. (c)
      Evaluations and research—

      There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 169 $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

   4. (d)
      Reentry program—

      There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 172 $110,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

   5. (e)
      Strengthening community colleges program—

      There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 173 $65,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

   .

1. (a)
   Labor standards—

   Section 181(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

   1. (8)
      Child labor—

      Individuals in on-the-job training or individuals employed in programs and activities under this title shall be employed in accordance with the provisions on child labor under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) and applicable State law.

   2. (9)
      Consultation—

      If an employer provides on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, or employer-directed skills development with funds made available under this title directly to employees of such employer that are subject to a collective bargaining agreement with the employer, the employer shall consult with the labor organization that represents such employees on the planning and design of such training or development.

   .

2. (b)
   Remedies—

   Section 181(c)(3)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241(c)(3)(B)) is amended by inserting for a period of not less than 2 years before the semicolon at the end.

3. (c)
   Relocation—

   Section 181(d)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241(d)(2)) is amended by striking incumbent worker training, and inserting incumbent worker training, employer-directed skills development,.

4. (d)
   Supportive services—

   Section 181 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241) is amended by adding at the end the following:

   1. (h)
      Supportive services—

      Except as provided in section 134(d)(2), funds provided under this title may only be used to provide supportive services to individuals who—

      1. (1)

         are participating in activities under programs authorized under this title;

      2. (2)

         are unable to obtain the supportive services through programs listed in section 121(b)(2); and

      3. (3)

         require supportive services to enable participation in activities under programs authorized under this title.

   .

Section 183 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3243) is amended by striking recipients each place it appears and inserting recipients and subrecipients.

Section 184(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3244(b)) is amended—

1. (1)

   by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as paragraphs (3), (5), and (6), respectively;

2. (2)

   by inserting before paragraph (3), as so redesignated, the following:

   1. (1)
      In general—

      For the purposes of this title, a substantial violation shall—

      1. (A)

         be determined in accordance with the procedures established by the Governor as described in paragraph (2); and

      2. (B)

         include any willful violation of the requirements under subsections (a) or (b) of section 181 for which there has been a final determination of the violation without any remaining right to appeal.

   2. (2)
      Procedures—

      The Governor shall establish procedures to be used by local areas and, in the case of funds described in section 128(a) or pertaining to the enforcement provisions under section 122(g), by any other individual or entity specified by the Governor to determine if a substantial violation of this title has occurred.

   ;

3. (3)

   in paragraph (3), as so redesignated—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (A), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;

   2. (B)

      in subparagraph (B)(v), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and

   3. (C)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (C)

         reduce any local allotment under section 128(b) or 133(b) to the local area involved by not more than 5 percent for the fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the substantial violation, for which corrective action was not taken, occurred.

      ;

4. (4)

   by inserting after paragraph (3), as so redesignated, the following:

   1. (4)
      Reallocation of reductions—

      Any amount that was reduced from an allotment to a local area in accordance with paragraph (3)(C) shall be reallocated by the Governor to the other local areas within the State that are not subject to an action described in paragraph (3) in a manner determined by the Governor, which may take into consideration whether such other local area is serving a significant number of individuals with barriers to employment.

   ;

5. (5)

   in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by striking (A) and (B) and inserting (A), (B), and (C); and

6. (6)

   in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking paragraph (1) and inserting paragraph (2)

Section 186(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3246(a)) is amended by striking 184 and inserting 181 or 184.

Section 187(a)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3247(a)(1)) is amended by striking 184 and inserting 181 or 184.

Section 189(i)(3) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3249(i)(3)) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking procedures for review and approval of plans and inserting the procedures for review and approval of plans, the performance reports described in section 116(d), and the requirement described in section 134(c)(1)(B); and

2. (2)

   by adding at the end the following:

   1. (E)
      Model template—

      Not later than one year after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall issue guidance and provide model templates to States to assist States in requesting common waivers of statutory or regulatory requirements under this subsection.

   .

Section 190 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3250) is amended to read as follows:

Section 194 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3254)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

There are transferred to the Secretary of Labor all functions which the Secretary of Education and the Department of Education exercised before the effective date of this subtitle (including all related functions of any officer or employee of that Department) under title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3271 et seq.).

The Office of Management and Budget shall—

1. (1)

   ensure that this subtitle does not result in any net increase in full-time equivalent employees across all Federal agencies impacted by this subtitle; and

2. (2)

   not later than 1 year after the effective date of this subtitle, certify compliance with this subtitle to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

Except where otherwise expressly prohibited by law or otherwise provided by this subtitle, the Secretary of Labor may delegate any of the functions transferred to the Secretary of Labor by section 201 and any function described in section 201 that was transferred or granted to such Secretary after the effective date of this subtitle to such officers and employees of such Secretary as the Secretary may designate, and may authorize successive redelegations of such functions described in section 201 as may be necessary or appropriate. No delegation of such functions by the Secretary of Labor under this section or under any other provision of this subtitle shall relieve such Secretary of responsibility for the administration of such functions.

1. (a)
   Reorganization—

   Except where otherwise expressly prohibited by law or otherwise provided by this Act (or the amendments made by this Act), the Secretary of Labor is authorized to allocate or reallocate any function transferred under section 201 among the officers of the Department of Labor, and to consolidate, alter, or discontinue such organizational entities in such Department as may be necessary or appropriate.

2. (b)
   Rules—

   The Secretary of Labor is authorized to prescribe, in accordance with the provisions of chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, such rules and regulations as that the Secretary determines necessary or appropriate to administer and manage the functions described in section 201 of the Department of Labor.

Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the personnel employed in connection with, and the assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balance of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds employed, held, used, arising from, available to, or to be made available in connection with the functions and offices, or portions thereof transferred by section 201, subject to section 1531 of title 31, United States Code, shall be transferred to the Secretary of Labor. Unexpended funds transferred pursuant to this section shall be used only for the purposes for which the funds were originally authorized and appropriated.

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, at such time or times as the Director shall provide, is authorized to make such determinations as may be necessary with regard to the functions transferred by section 201, and to make such additional incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, liabilities, grants, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds held, used, arising from, available to, or to be made available in connection with such functions, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide for the termination of the affairs of all entities terminated by this subtitle and for such further measures and dispositions as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subtitle, with respect to such functions.

1. (a)
   Continuing effect of legal documents—

   All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, contracts, certificates, licenses, registrations, privileges, and other administrative actions—

   1. (1)

      which have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to become effective by the President, any Federal department or agency or official thereof, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, in the performance of functions which are transferred under this Act to the Secretary or the Department, and

   2. (2)

      which are in effect at the time this Act takes effect,

   shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with the law by the President, the Secretary of Labor, or other authorized official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law.

2. (b)
   Proceedings not affected—

   The provisions of this subtitle shall not affect any proceedings, including notices of proposed rulemaking, or any application for any license, permit, certificate, or financial assistance pending on the effective date of this subtitle before the Department of Education with respect to functions of which are transferred by section 201 but such proceedings and applications shall be continued. Orders shall be issued in such proceedings, appeals shall be taken therefrom, and payments shall be made pursuant to such orders, as if this subtitle had not been enacted, and orders issued in any such proceedings shall continue in effect until modified, terminated, superseded, or revoked by a duly authorized individual, by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to prohibit the discontinuance or modification of any such proceeding under the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that such proceeding could have been discontinued or modified if this subtitle had not been enacted.

3. (c)
   Suits not affected—

   Except as provided in subsection (e) the provisions of this subtitle shall not affect suits commenced (with respect to the functions transferred under section 201) prior to the effective date of this subtitle, and in all such suits, proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and effect as if this subtitle had not been enacted.

4. (d)
   Nonabatement of actions—

   No suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against the Department of Education (with regard to functions transferred under section 201), or by or against any officer in the official capacity of such individual as an officer of the Department of Education (with regard to functions transferred under section 201), shall abate by reason of the enactment of this subtitle.

5. (e)
   Administrative actions relating to promulgation of regulations—

   Any administrative action relating to the preparation or promulgation of a regulation by the Secretary of Education (with regard to functions transferred under section 201) may be continued by the Secretary of Labor with the same effect as if this subtitle had not been enacted.

A reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or relating to—

1. (1)

   the Secretary of Education (with regard to functions transferred under section 201), shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary of Labor; and

2. (2)

   the Department of Education or Office within the Department (with regard to functions transferred under section 201), shall be deemed to refer to the Department of Labor.

The Secretary of Labor is authorized to utilize—

1. (1)

   the services of such officers, employees, and other personnel of the Department of Education with regard to functions transferred under section 201; and

2. (2)

   funds appropriated to such functions,

for such period of time as may reasonably be needed to facilitate the orderly implementation of this subtitle.

1. (a)
   WIOA—

   Section 203(15) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3272(15)) is amended by striking Education and inserting Labor.

2. (b)
   Department of Education Organization Act—

   1. (1)
      Principal officers—

      Section 202 of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3412) is amended—

      1. (A)

         in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking Career, Technical, and Adult Education and inserting Career and Technical Education; and

      2. (B)

         in subsection (h), by striking Career, Technical, and Adult Education each place it appears and inserting Career and Technical Education.

   2. (2)
      Office of Career and Technical Education—

      Section 206 of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3416) is amended—

      1. (A)

         in the section header, by striking Career, Technical, and Adult Education and inserting Career and Technical Education;

      2. (B)

         in the first sentence, by striking Career, Technical, and Adult Education and inserting Career and Technical Education; and

      3. (C)

         in the second sentence, by striking career, technical, and adult education and inserting career and technical education.

This subtitle shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

Section 202 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3271) is amended—

1. (1)

   in paragraph (1), by inserting (including digital literacy skills and AI literacy skills) before necessary;

2. (2)

   in paragraph (3), by striking secondary school diploma and inserting regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and

3. (3)

   in paragraph (4), by striking English language learners and inserting English learners.

Section 203 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3272) is amended—

1. (1)

   in paragraph (1)—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (A)—

      1. (i)

         by striking and speak and inserting listen, speak, and comprehend; and

      2. (ii)

         by striking secondary and inserting regular high;

   2. (B)

      in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

   3. (C)

      by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

   4. (D)

      by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

      1. (C)

         develop and use digital literacy skills; and

      ;

2. (2)

   by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (14), (15) (as amended by section 210(a)), (16), and (17), as paragraphs (5) through (16), (18), (19), and (20), respectively;

3. (3)

   by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

   1. (3)
      AI literacy skills—

      The term AI literacy skills means a foundational set of competencies, outlined by the AI literacy framework of the Department of Labor, that enable individuals to use and evaluate artificial intelligence technologies responsibly, with a primary focus on generative artificial intelligence.

   2. (4)
      Digital literacy skills—

      The term digital literacy skills—

      1. (A)

         means the skills associated with using existing and emerging technologies to find, evaluate, organize, create, communicate information, and to complete tasks; and

      2. (B)

         includes AI literacy skills.

   ;

4. (4)

   in paragraph (6)(C) (as so redesignated)—

   1. (A)

      by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:

      1. (i)

         has foundational skill needs;

      ;

   2. (B)

      in clause (ii), by striking secondary and inserting regular high; and

   3. (C)

      in clause (iii), by striking English language learner and inserting English learner;

5. (5)

   in paragraph (8) (as so redesignated)—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (A), by striking English language learners and inserting English learners; and

   2. (B)

      in subparagraph (B)(i)(I), by striking secondary and inserting regular high;

6. (6)

   in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated)—

   1. (A)

      in the paragraph heading, by striking language; and

   2. (B)

      in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking English language learner and inserting English learner;

7. (7)

   in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) in paragraph (11) (as so redesignated), by inserting and educational after the economic;

8. (8)

   in paragraph (14) (as so redesignated)—

   1. (A)

      by striking English language learners and inserting English learners; and

   2. (B)

      by striking and may include workforce training. and inserting the following: “and may—

      1. (A)

         include skills development, postsecondary preparation activities, digital literacy skills instruction, financial literacy instruction, and workforce training; and

      2. (B)

         be provided concurrently with other activities and services, such as adult education.

      ;

9. (9)

   in paragraph (15) (as so redesignated), by striking and speak in English, compute, and solve problems, and inserting speak, and comprehend in English, compute, solve problems, and have digital literacy skills,; and

10. (10)

    by inserting after paragraph (16) (as so redesignated) the following:

    1. (17)
       Postsecondary preparation activities—

       The term postsecondary preparation activities means academic counseling (which may be provided by a college and career navigator) and services designed to support enrollment and success in postsecondary education that include assisting individuals to—

       1. (A)

          identify postsecondary educational options that prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment;

       2. (B)

          navigate the transition from adult education to postsecondary education;

       3. (C)

          navigate the transition from adult education to workforce development programs and services;

       4. (D)

          coenroll in adult education and workforce development programs, if applicable;

       5. (E)

          improve academic skills so that individuals are prepared to participate in postsecondary education without need for remediation; or

       6. (F)

          learn notetaking, study skills, and other skills that promote student success in postsecondary education.

    .

Section 206 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3275) is amended to read as follows:

Section 211 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3291) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (d)(3), by striking secondary and inserting regular high; and

2. (2)

   in subsection (e)(3), by striking period described in section 3(45) and inserting period described in subparagraph (B) of the definition of outlying area in section 3.

Section 212 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3292) is amended to read as follows:

Section 222(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3302(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Section 223(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3303(a)) is amended—

1. (1)

   in paragraph (1)—

   1. (A)

      in subparagraph (A), by striking activities. and inserting activities and the identification of opportunities to coordinate with activities supported under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) to expand integrated education and training programs.;

   2. (B)

      in subparagraph (C)—

      1. (i)

         in clause (i), by striking based on the most rigorous or scientifically valid research available and appropriate, in reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, and inserting based on evidence-based practices, in reading, writing, speaking, English comprehension, mathematics,;

      2. (ii)

         in clause (ii), by striking and at the end;

      3. (iii)

         in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

      4. (iv)

         by adding at the end the following:

         1. (iv)

            assistance in reporting participant outcomes for the performance accountability system described in section 212, including facilitating partnerships with the appropriate State entities to conduct matches with State administrative data (such as wage records) to determine program performance on the indicators of performance described in subclauses (I) through (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) and which may include assistance in integrating with statewide longitudinal data systems, and making data available in structured, open, linked, and interoperable formats, as appropriate.

         ;

   3. (C)

      by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and

   4. (D)

      by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:

      1. (D)

         The development, identification, acquisition, and dissemination (which may be done in coordination with other States) of evidence-based instructional materials (to the extent available) that lead to literacy, English language acquisition, a recognized postsecondary credential, or any combination of such results; and—

         1. (i)

            are designed to meet the needs of adult learners, including English learners, and may be developed for integrated education and training in an in-demand industry sector or occupation within the State; and

         2. (ii)

            will improve the instruction provided pursuant to the local activities required under section 231(b).

      ; and

2. (2)

   in paragraph (2)—

   1. (A)

      by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), and (M), as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M), and (R), respectively;

   2. (B)

      by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:

      1. (E)

         Developing content and models for programs that support family literacy activities.

      ;

   3. (C)

      in subparagraph (G) (as so redesignated), by inserting before the period the following: , including such institutions that offer an eligible program for purposes of the Workforce Pell Grant program under section 401(k) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a(k)), as added by section 83002(a) of Public Law 119–21;

   4. (D)

      in subparagraph (J)(i) (as so redesignated)—

      1. (i)

         by striking mathematics, and English and inserting mathematics, English; and

      2. (ii)

         by striking acquisition; and inserting acquisition, and digital literacy skills;;

   5. (E)

      by striking subparagraph (K) (as so redesignated) and inserting the following:

      1. (K)

         Developing and piloting of strategies for improving adult educator recruitment, quality, and retention, such as—

         1. (i)

            the provision of professional development;

         2. (ii)

            the development and maintenance of policies for awarding recognized postsecondary credentials to adult educators who demonstrate effectiveness at improving the achievement of adult students; and

         3. (iii)

            the development and piloting of work-based learning programs (including apprenticeship programs) for adult educators.

      ;

   6. (F)

      in subparagraph (L) (as so redesignated), by striking English language learners and inserting English learners;

   7. (G)

      in subparagraph (M) (as so redesignated), by inserting , which may include through partnerships with local educational agencies or public agencies to recruit eligible individuals after employers; and

   8. (H)

      by inserting after subparagraph (M) (as so redesignated) the following:

      1. (N)

         Performance incentive payments to eligible providers, including incentive payments linked to increased use of integrated education and training or other forms of instruction linking adult education with the development of occupational skills for an in-demand industry sector or occupation in the State.

      2. (O)

         Strengthening the quality and effectiveness of adult education and programs that support family literacy activities in the State through support for program quality standards and accreditation requirements.

      3. (P)

         Raising public awareness (including through public service announcements, such as social media campaigns) about career and technical education programs and community-based organizations, and other endeavors focused on programs that prepare individuals for in-demand industry sectors or occupations.

      4. (Q)

         Postsecondary preparation activities.

      .

Section 225 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3305) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (a)—

   1. (A)

      by striking From funds and inserting the following:

      1. (1)
         In general—

         From funds

      ; and

   2. (B)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (2)
         Priority—

         An eligible agency granting awards from funds authorized under paragraph (1) shall give priority to an eligible entity that proposes to operate an educational program in a correctional institution that is also served by a program authorized under section 172.

      ;

2. (2)

   in subsection (b)(3), by striking secondary school credit and inserting attainment of a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;

3. (3)

   by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively;

4. (4)

   by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

   1. (d)
      Coordination—

      Each eligible agency that is using assistance provided under this section to carry out a program for criminal offenders within a correctional institution shall—

      1. (1)

         coordinate such educational programs with career and technical education activities provided to individuals in State institutions from funds reserved under section 112(a)(2)(A) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2322(a)(2)(A));

      2. (2)

         identify opportunities to develop integrated education and training opportunities for such individuals;

      3. (3)

         coordinate with institutions of higher education operating a prison education program in the State; and

      4. (4)

         if the correctional institution is also served by a program authorized under section 172, provide a description of how the award funds under this section will be used to carry out the activities described in section 172, in conjunction with the activities described in subsection (b).

   ; and

5. (5)

   in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by adding at the end the following:

   1. (3)
      Prison education program—

      The term prison education program has the meaning given the term in section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091).

   .

Section 231 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3321) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (a)—

   1. (A)

      by striking From grant funds and inserting the following:

      1. (1)
         In general—

         From grant funds

      ; and

   2. (B)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (2)
         Prompt availability of funds—

         Each eligible agency shall ensure that funds are available for reimbursement to an eligible provider that is awarded a multiyear grant or contract under paragraph (1) not later than 45 days after the date on which the multiyear grant or contract is awarded.

      ;

2. (2)

   in subsection (d), by striking section 203(4) and inserting section 203(6);

3. (3)

   in subsection (e)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking English language learners and inserting English learners;

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (5)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end;

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (B), by adding and at the end; and

      3. (iii)

         by adding at the end the following:

         1. (C)

            uses instructional materials that are designed to meet the needs of adult learners and English learners and are evidence-based (to the extent practicable), which may include, but shall not be required to include, the instructional materials disseminated by the State under section 223(a)(1)(D);

         ;

   3. (C)

      in paragraph (6), by striking speaking, mathematics, and English and inserting speaking and listening, mathematics, comprehension, and English; and

   4. (A)

      in paragraph (10), by inserting local educational agencies, after strong links with; and

4. (4)

   by adding at the end the following:

   1. (f)
      Cost analysis—

      In determining the amount of funds to be awarded in grants or contracts under this section, the eligible agency may consider the costs of providing learning in context, including integrated education and training and workplace adult education and literacy activities, and the extent to which the eligible provider intends to serve individuals using such activities, in order to align the amount of funds awarded with such costs.

   .

Section 232 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3322) is amended—

1. (1)

   in paragraph (4), by inserting and coordinate with the appropriate State entity after data;

2. (2)

   in paragraph (6), by striking ; and and inserting , such as how the eligible provider may provide adult education and literacy activities in a manner that is integrated with postsecondary preparation activities to enable students to prepare for opportunities to attain a recognized postsecondary credential, including opportunities to earn recognized postsecondary credentials that are stackable along a career pathway within an in-demand industry sector or occupation;

3. (3)

   by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and

4. (4)

   by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:

   1. (7)

      a description of how the eligible provider will provide learning in context, including through partnerships with employers to offer workplace adult education and literacy activities and integrated education and training; and

   .

Section 233(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3323(a)) is amended—

1. (1)

   in paragraph (1), by striking 95 and inserting 85; and

2. (2)

   by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

   1. (2)

      the remaining amount—

      1. (A)

         not to exceed 10 percent, may be used for professional development for adult educators (which may include apprenticeship programs for adult educators); and

      2. (B)

         not to exceed 5 percent, shall be used for planning, administration (including carrying out the requirements of section 116), professional development of administrative staff, and the activities described in paragraphs (3) and (5) of section 232.

   .

Section 242 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3332) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subsection (b)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1), by striking 116; and inserting 116, including the dissemination of effective practices used by States to use statewide longitudinal data systems or other sources of administrative data to determine program performance and reduce the data collection and reporting burden on eligible providers;; and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (3), by striking , including the Institute of Education Sciences; and

2. (2)

   in subsection (c)—

   1. (A)

      in paragraph (1)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (B), by striking English language learners and inserting English learners; and

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (C), by inserting skills after digital literacy; and

   2. (B)

      in paragraph (2)—

      1. (i)

         in subparagraph (C)—

         1. (I)

            in clause (i), by striking rigorous research and inserting evidence-based practices; and

         2. (II)

            in clause (vii)—

            1. (aa)

               in subclause (I), by striking adults with and all that follows through the semicolon and inserting adults with disabilities, including adults with learning disabilities, and with adults who are English learners;;

            2. (bb)

               in subclause (III), by striking and after the semicolon;

            3. (cc)

               in subclause (IV), by inserting and after the semicolon; and

            4. (dd)

               by adding at the end the following:

               1. (V)

                  programs that offer family literacy activities;

               ;

      2. (ii)

         in subparagraph (F), by striking and after the semicolon;

      3. (iii)

         by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (J); and

      4. (iv)

         by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:

         1. (G)

            developing and rigorously evaluating programs for the preparation of effective adult educators and disseminating the results of such evaluations;

         2. (H)

            carrying out initiatives to support the effectiveness and impact of adult education, that States may adopt on a voluntary basis, through—

            1. (i)

               the development and dissemination of staffing models, which may include full-time staffing models, that prioritize demonstrated effectiveness and continuous improvement in supporting the learning of adult students; and

            2. (ii)

               the evaluation and improvement of program quality standards and accreditation requirements;

         3. (I)

            providing technical assistance to eligible agencies regarding effective professional development for programs that offer adult education and literacy activities or family literacy activities; and

         .

1. (a)
   In general—

   Section 243(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3333(a)) is amended—

   1. (1)

      by striking From funds and inserting the following:

      1. (1)
         Each fiscal year—

         Subject to paragraph (2), from funds

      ; and

   2. (2)

      by adding at the end the following:

      1. (2)
         Certain fiscal years—

         With respect to fiscal year 2027 or a succeeding fiscal year, if amounts made available under section 211(a)(2) for such a fiscal year exceed, by at least 1 percent, grant amounts awarded to States under this section for fiscal year 2026, the Secretary shall, from amounts made available under section 211(a)(2) for such fiscal year after fiscal year 2026—

         1. (A)

            reserve 1 percent of the amounts to award grants to outlying areas, in the manner determined appropriate by the Secretary of Labor for such outlying areas to carry out the activities described in paragraph (1); and

         2. (B)

            use the amounts remaining after such reservation to award grants to States under this section.

      .

2. (b)
   Allotment—

   Section 243(b)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3333(b)(1) is amended by amending the matter preceding subparagraph (A) as follows: Subject to paragraph (2), from amounts made available under section 211(a)(2) for a fiscal year, and after reserving amounts in accordance with subsection (a)(2), if appropriate for such fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate—

3. (c)
   English learners—

   Section 243(c)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3333(c)(1)) is amended by striking English language learners and inserting English learners.

1. (a)
   Definitions—

   Section 2(5) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49a(5)) is amended by inserting the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, after Guam,.

2. (b)
   Unemployment compensation law requirement—

   Section 5(b)(1) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49d(b)(1)) is amended by inserting the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa, after Guam,.

3. (c)
   Allotments—

   Section 6 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49e) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in subsection (a)—

      1. (A)

         by striking except for Guam and inserting except for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa;

      2. (B)

         by striking first allot to Guam and the Virgin Islands and inserting the following:

         first allot—

         1. (1)

            to Guam and the Virgin Islands

         ;

      3. (C)

         by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

      4. (D)

         by adding at the end the following:

         1. (2)

            beginning with the first fiscal year for which the total amount available for allotments under this section is greater than the total amount available for allotments under this section for fiscal year 2024, and for each succeeding fiscal year, to each of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, an amount which is equal to one-half of the amount allotted to Guam under paragraph (1) for the corresponding fiscal year.

         ; and

   2. (2)

      in subsection (b)(1), in the matter following subparagraph (B), by inserting , the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, after Guam.

4. (d)
   Use of funds—

   Section 7 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49f) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in subsection (a)—

      1. (A)

         in paragraph (1), by striking and referral to employers and inserting referral to employers, and the services described in section 134(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)(ii)) when provided by the employment service office colocated with the one-stop delivery system;

      2. (B)

         in paragraph (3)—

         1. (i)

            in subparagraph (F), by striking the and at the end;

         2. (ii)

            by moving subparagraph (G) for ems to the right;

         3. (iii)

            in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

         4. (iv)

            by adding at the end the following:

            1. (H)

               establishing a talent marketplace (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)).

            ; and

   2. (2)

      in subsection (e), by inserting before the period at the end the following: and in accordance with the requirements of section 134(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)(i)(I)).

5. (e)
   Workforce and labor market information system—

   Section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49l–2) is amended—

   1. (1)

      in subsection (a)(1)—

      1. (A)

         in subparagraph (A)—

         1. (i)

            in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking timely manner and inserting manner that is as close to real-time as practicable;

         2. (ii)

            in clause (i), by striking part-time, and seasonal workers and inserting part-time, contingent, and seasonal workers, and workers engaged in alternative employment arrangements;

         3. (iii)

            by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (iv) and (v), respectively; and

         4. (iv)

            by inserting after clause (ii), the following:

            1. (iii)

               real-time trends in new and emerging occupational roles, and in new and emerging skills by occupation and industry, with particular attention paid to State and local conditions;

            ;

      2. (B)

         in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting (including, to the extent practicable, real-time) after current; and

      3. (C)

         in subparagraph (G), by striking user-friendly manner and and inserting manner that makes the data, information, and analysis available on-demand and is user-friendly,;

   2. (2)

      in subsection (b)(2)(F)—

      1. (A)

         in clause (i), by striking ; and and inserting (including, to the extent practicable, provided in real-time);;

      2. (B)

         by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and

      3. (C)

         by inserting after clause (i), as so amended, the following:

         1. (ii)

            the capabilities of digital technology and modern data collection approaches are effectively utilized; and

         ;

   3. (3)

      in subsection (e)(2)(H), by striking section 116(i)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and inserting section 116(j)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and

   4. (4)

      by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:

      1. (g)
         Authorization of appropriations—

         There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $52,892,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

      .

Section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3224a) is amended to read as follows:

Section 453(j)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)(8)) is amended—

1. (1)

   in subparagraph (A)—

   1. (A)

      by inserting or conducting the reporting and evaluation activities required under section 116 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) after State law; and

   2. (B)

      by striking such program and inserting such programs ; and

2. (2)

   in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking purposes of administering a program referred to and inserting the purposes specified.

1. (a)
   References to provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act—

   1. (1)

      Section 8041(g)(2)(C) of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (29 U.S.C. 3225a(g)(2)(C)) is amended by striking section 172(f) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3227(f)) and inserting section 175(h) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3227(h)).

   2. (2)

      Section 60302(23) of the Digital Equity Act of 2021 (47 U.S.C. 1721(23)) is amended by striking section 3(66) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(66)) and inserting section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

2. (b)
   Related provisions—

   1. (1)

      Section 286(s)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(2)) is amended by striking demonstration programs and projects and inserting the programs, activities, and uses.

   2. (2)

      Section 1154 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

      1. (A)

         in paragraphs (2)(C) and (3)(D) of subsection (a), by striking Job Corps center as defined and inserting Job Corps campus as described;

      2. (B)

         in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii), by striking Job Corps centers and inserting Job Corps campuses; and

      3. (C)

         in subsection (e)(2)(E), by striking Job Corps center and inserting Job Corps campus.

1. (a)
   In general—

   From the amounts appropriated under subsection (c), the Secretary (acting through the Office of Disability Employment Policy in partnership with the Employment and Training Administration), in partnership with the Administration for Community Living of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the Department of Education, shall establish a Center for Technical Assistance for Transforming to Competitive Integrated Employment to—

   1. (1)

      provide technical assistance to employers who are transitioning from employing individuals with disabilities using special certificates on such transition, which shall include technical assistance on providing services that result in competitive integrated employment;

   2. (2)

      provide technical assistance to State agencies seeking to support such employers described in paragraph (1) on such transition described in paragraph (1) on coordination and alignment of services and funding in support of such transition, including technical assistance on how such services and funding can result in competitive integrated employment;

   3. (3)

      in providing the technical assistance describing in paragraphs (1) and (2), coordinate such technical assistance with education materials and opportunities made available through existing technical assistance provided by—

      1. (A)

         the Office of Disability Employment Policy;

      2. (B)

         the Employment and Training Administration;

      3. (C)

         the Administration for Community Living of the Department of Health and Human Services; and

      4. (D)

         the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the Department of Education; and

   4. (4)

      in providing the technical assistance described in paragraphs (1) and (2), make use of technical assistance that is in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, including the CIE Transformation Hub, the Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment Initiative, and the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network.

2. (b)
   Definitions—

   In this section:

   1. (1)
      Competitive integrated employment—

      The term competitive integrated employment has the meaning given the term in section 7(5) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 705(5)).

   2. (2)
      Disability—

      The term disability includes any intellectual, developmental, mental health, or other disability.

   3. (3)
      Individuals with disabilities—

      The term individuals with disabilities means individuals described in section 14(c)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)(1)).

   4. (4)
      Secretary—

      The term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor.

   5. (5)
      Special certificate—

      The term special certificate means a special certificate issued under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)).

   6. (6)
      State—

      The term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territory of Guam.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) is amended by striking section 505 and inserting the following:

1. (a)
   Effective dates—

   1. (1)
      In general—

      This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on the first day of the first full program year after the date of enactment of this Act, except as otherwise provided in this Act.

   2. (2)
      Performance accountability system—

      The amendments made to section 116 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act, except that—

      1. (A)

         the amendments to clauses (iii) through (v) of subsection (b)(3)(A) of that section 116 shall take effect on January 1, 2027; and

      2. (B)

         the amendment to paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of that section 116, the amendments to subsections (i) and (j) of that section 116 that are made by section 119(g) of this Act, and the amendment to subsection (k) of that section 116, shall take effect on the day that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

   3. (3)
      One-stop delivery system—

      The amendments made to section 121 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151) by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act.

   4. (4)
      Youth workforce investment activities—

      The amendments made to section 129 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164) by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act.

   5. (5)
      Adult and dislocated worker activities—

      The amendments made to section 134 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174) by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act.

   6. (6)
      Job Corps management information requirements—

      The amendments made to section 159 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act.

2. (b)
   Transition authority—

   1. (1)
      In general—

      Pursuant to section 503(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3343(a)), the Secretary of Labor shall, effective on the date of enactment of this Act, have the authority to take such steps as are necessary to provide for the orderly implementation of the amendments to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) by this Act, including addressing cross references to provisions specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(2).

   2. (2)
      Termination—

      The authority described in paragraph (1) shall terminate on the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act.

3. (c)
   Transition period for implementation—

   1. (1)
      Eligible providers of training services—

      Each Governor and local board shall implement the requirements of section 122 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152), as amended by this Act, not later than the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act. In order to facilitate early implementation of that section 122, the Governor may establish transition procedures under which eligible providers of training services under chapter 1 of subtitle B of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151 et seq.), as such chapter was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, may continue to be eligible to provide such services until December 31, 2027, or until such earlier date as the Governor determines to be appropriate.

   2. (2)
      State plans and local plans—

      1. (A)
         Modification of plans—

         Not later than the first day of the second full program year after the date of enactment of this Act—

         1. (i)

            each Governor of a State shall submit to the Secretary of Labor any modifications to the State plan in effect for such State that are necessary for the State plan to comply with the amendments made by this Act to section 102 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112); and

         2. (ii)

            each local board shall submit to the Governor of a State any modifications to the local plan in effect for the local area served by the local board that are necessary for the local plan to comply with the amendments made by this Act to section 108 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3123).

      2. (B)
         New plans—

         Not later than the first day of the fourth full program year after the date of enactment of this Act—

         1. (i)

            each Governor of a State shall submit to the Secretary of Labor a new State plan for such State that complies with the requirements of section 102 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112), as amended by this Act; and

         2. (ii)

            each local board shall submit to the Governor of a State a new local plan for the local area served by the local board that complies with the requirements of section 108 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3123), as amended by this Act.

   3. (3)
      Definitions—

      In this subsection, the terms local board, local plan, State, State plan, and training services have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

4. (d)
   Conforming amendments—

   1. (1)
      Repeal—

      Subsections (a) through (e) of section 503 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3343) are repealed.

   2. (2)
      Regulations—

      Section 503 of such Act is amended—

      1. (A)

         by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively;

      2. (B)

         by amending subsection (a), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

         1. (a)
            Regulations—

            1. (1)
               Proposed regulations—

               Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall develop and publish in the Federal Register proposed regulations relating to the transition to, and implementation of, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, including the amendments to this Act made by the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.

            2. (2)
               Final regulations—

               Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall develop and publish in the Federal Register final regulations relating to the transition to, and implementation of, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, including the amendments to this Act made by the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.

         ; and

      3. (C)

         in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by striking subsection (f) and inserting subsection (a).

   3. (3)
      Effective date—

      The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

1. (a)
   Short title—

   This Act may be cited as the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.

2. (b)
   Table of Contents—

   The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

   Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Title I—Workforce Development ActivitiesSubtitle A—General ProvisionsSec. 101. Purposes.Sec. 102. Definitions.Sec. 103. Table of contents amendments.Subtitle B—System alignmentChapter 1—State ProvisionsSec. 111. State workforce development board.Sec. 112. Unified State plan.Chapter 2—Local provisionsSec. 115. Workforce development areas.Sec. 116. Local workforce development boards.Sec. 117. Local plan.Chapter 3—Performance AccountabilitySec. 119. Performance accountability system.Subtitle C—Workforce Investment Activities and ProvidersChapter 1—Workforce Investment Activities and ProvidersSec. 121. Establishment of one-stop delivery systems.Sec. 122. Identification of eligible providers of training services.Sec. 123. Eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities.Chapter 2—Youth Workforce Investment ActivitiesSec. 131. Reservations; Reallocation.Sec. 132. Use of funds for youth workforce investment activities.Chapter 3—Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment and Training ActivitiesSec. 141. State allotments.Sec. 142. Reservations for State activities; within State allocations; Reallocation.Sec. 143. Use of funds for employment and training activities.Chapter 4—General Workforce Investment ProvisionsSec. 145. Authorization of appropriations.Subtitle D—Job CorpsSec. 151. Purposes.Sec. 152. Definitions.Sec. 153. Individuals eligible for the Job Corps.Sec. 154. Recruitment, screening, selection, and assignment of enrollees.Sec. 155. Job Corps Campuses.Sec. 156. Program activities.Sec. 157. Counseling and job placement.Sec. 158. Support.Sec. 159. Operations.Sec. 160. Standards of conduct.Sec. 161. Community participation.Sec. 162. Workforce councils.Sec. 163. Advisory committees.Sec. 164. Experimental projects and technical assistance.Sec. 165. Special provisions.Sec. 166. Management information.Sec. 167. Job Corps oversight and reporting.Sec. 168. Authorization of appropriations.Sec. 169. Conforming amendments.Subtitle E—National programsSec. 171. Native American programs.Sec. 172. Migrant and seasonal farmworker programs.Sec. 173. Technical assistance.Sec. 174. Evaluations and research.Sec. 175. National dislocated worker grants.Sec. 176. YouthBuild Program.Sec. 177. Reentry employment opportunities.Sec. 178. Youth apprenticeship readiness grant program.Sec. 179. Strengthening community colleges grant program.Sec. 180. Authorization of appropriations.Subtitle F—AdministrationSec. 191. Requirements and restrictions.Sec. 192. Monitoring.Sec. 193. Fiscal controls; sanctions.Sec. 194. Administrative adjudication.Sec. 195. Judicial review.Sec. 196. General waivers of statutory or regulatory requirements.Sec. 197. Make America Skilled Again grants.Sec. 198. General program requirements.Title II—Adult Education and LiteracySubtitle A—Transferring all functions of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act to the Department of LaborSec. 201. Transfer of functions.Sec. 202. Personnel Determinations by the Office of Management and Budget.Sec. 203. Delegation and assignment.Sec. 204. Reorganization; Rules.Sec. 205. Transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel.Sec. 206. Incidental transfers.Sec. 207. Savings provisions.Sec. 208. References.Sec. 209. Transition.Sec. 210. Updating references.Sec. 211. Effective date.Subtitle B—Adult Education and Family Literacy ActSec. 221. Purposes.Sec. 222. Definitions.Sec. 223. Authorization of appropriations.Sec. 224. Special rule.Sec. 225. Performance accountability system.Sec. 226. Matching requirement.Sec. 227. State leadership activities.Sec. 228. Programs for corrections education and other institutionalized individuals.Sec. 229. Grants and contracts for eligible providers.Sec. 230. Local application.Sec. 231. Local administrative cost limits.Sec. 232. National leadership activities.Sec. 233. Integrated English literacy and civics education.Title III—Amendments to other lawsSec. 301. Amendments to the Wagner-Peyser Act.Sec. 302. Job training grants.Sec. 303. Access to National Directory of New Hires.Sec. 304. References to other laws.Title IV—Department of Labor technical assistanceSec. 401. Technical assistance for transforming to competitive integrated employment.Title V—General provisionsSec. 501. Report on data capability and interoperability of Federal and State databases and data exchange agreements.Sec. 502. Effective dates; transition authority.