[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 6 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                  S. 6

   To replace certain Federal job training programs by developing a 
   training account system to provide individuals the opportunity to 
 choose the type of training and employment-related services that most 
  closely meet the needs of such individuals, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 4, 1995

 Mr. Daschle (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Breaux, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. 
    Reid, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Dorgan, and Ms. 
Moseley-Braun) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
         referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To replace certain Federal job training programs by developing a 
   training account system to provide individuals the opportunity to 
 choose the type of training and employment-related services that most 
  closely meet the needs of such individuals, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Working Americans 
Opportunity Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
                  TITLE I--JOB TRAINING ACCOUNT SYSTEM

Sec. 101. Establishment.
Sec. 102. Individual choice.
Sec. 103. Eligibility.
Sec. 104. Obtaining a voucher.
Sec. 105. Oversight and accountability.
Sec. 106. Eligibility requirements for providers of job training.
Sec. 107. Eligibility requirements for providers of employment-related 
                            services.
Sec. 108. Evaluation of training account system and assistance centers.
Sec. 109. Apportionment of funds.
         TITLE II--ELIMINATION OF FEDERAL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Elimination of programs.
Sec. 202. Authorization of appropriations.
               TITLE III--INFORMATION FOR BETTER CHOICES

Sec. 301. Assistance centers.
Sec. 302. Access to labor market information.
Sec. 303. Direct loans to working Americans.
                      TITLE IV--REPORTS AND PLANS

Sec. 401. Consolidation and streamlining.
Sec. 402. Report relating to income support.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) increasing international competition, technological 
        advances, and structural changes in the economy of the United 
        States present new challenges to private firms and public 
        policymakers in creating a skilled workforce with the ability 
        to adapt to change and progress;
            (2) a substantial number of Americans lose jobs due to the 
        constantly changing world and national economies rather than 
        cyclical downturns, with more than 2,000,000 full-time workers 
        permanently displaced annually due to plant closures, 
        production cutbacks, and layoffs;
            (3) the current response of the Federal Government to 
        dislocation and structural employment is a patchwork of 
        categorical programs, with varying eligibility requirements and 
        different sets of services and benefits;
            (4) the lack of coherence among existing Federal programs 
        creates administrative and regulatory obstacles that hamper the 
        efforts of individuals who are seeking new jobs or 
        reemployment;
            (5) enacted in 1944, the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 
        1944, popularly known as the GI Bill of Rights, helped millions 
        of World War II veterans, and later, Korean and Vietnam War 
        veterans, finance college educations and assisted in building 
        the middle class of the United States;
            (6) restructuring the current job training system, with 
        respect to dislocated and disadvantaged workers, in a manner 
        that is conceptually similar to the GI Bill will help millions 
        of Americans to become more competitive in today's dynamic 
        world economy in which most Americans--
                    (A) can expect to move to new jobs a number of 
                times, voluntarily or by layoff; and
                    (B) must upgrade their skills continuously;
            (7) success in this ever-changing environment depends, in 
        part, on an individual's effective management of the 
        individual's career based on personal choice and reliable 
        information;
            (8) there is insufficient market information and assistance 
        regarding access to job training opportunities that lead to 
        good employment opportunities;
            (9) only a small fraction of individuals eligible for 
        current Federal job training are now served, and by removing 
        obstacles and layers of administrative costs, more funds will 
        be made available to individuals to enable such individuals to 
        receive the training of their choice; and
            (10) while the Federal Government proceeds to create a new 
        marketplace for job training, the Federal Government must also 
        maintain its commitment to providing intensive services to 
        assist those individuals who are economically disadvantaged.
    (b) Purposes.--It is the purpose of this Act to--
            (1) enhance the choices available to dislocated workers, 
        and the economically disadvantaged, who want to upgrade their 
        work skills and learn new skills to compete in a changing 
        economy;
            (2) enable individuals to make choices that are best for 
        the careers of such individuals;
            (3) replace a number of Federal job training programs and 
        employment-related services with a simple and direct training 
        account voucher system that relies on individual choice and 
        provides high-quality job market information;
            (4) allow an individual to tailor training and education to 
        the personal needs of such individual so that such individual 
        may remain in long-term employment yet have the means to be 
        flexible when necessary; and
            (5) create a system that provides timely and reliable 
        information to individuals to use to assist such individuals in 
        making the best choices with respect to the use of vouchers for 
        job training and employment-related services.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) Dislocated workers.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``dislocated workers'' 
                means individuals who--
                            (i) have been terminated or laid off or who 
                        have received a notice of termination or layoff 
                        from employment, are eligible for or have 
exhausted their entitlement to unemployment compensation, and are 
unlikely to return to their previous industry or occupation;
                            (ii) have been terminated or have received 
                        a notice of termination of employment, as a 
                        result of any permanent closure of or any 
                        substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or 
                        enterprise;
                            (iii) are long-term unemployed and have 
                        limited opportunities for employment or 
                        reemployment in the same or a similar 
                        occupation in the area in which such 
                        individuals reside, including older individuals 
                        who may have substantial barriers to employment 
                        by reason of age; or
                            (iv) were self-employed (including farmers 
                        and ranchers and fishermen) and are unemployed 
                        as a result of general economic conditions in 
                        the community in which they reside or because 
                        of natural disasters, subject to regulations 
                        prescribed by the Secretary.
                    (B) Special rule.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
                establish categories of self-employed individuals and 
                of economic conditions and natural disasters to which 
                subparagraph (A)(iv) applies.
            (2) Community-based organizations.--The term ``community-
        based organizations'' means private nonprofit organizations 
        that--
                    (A) are representative of communities or 
                significant segments of communities; and
                    (B) provide education, training, and related 
                services.
            (3) Economically disadvantaged adult.--The term 
        ``economically disadvantaged adult'' means an individual who is 
        age 18 and older and who has, or is a member of a family that 
        has, received a total family income (exclusive of unemployment 
        compensation, child support payments, and welfare payments) 
        that, in relation to family size, was not in excess of the 
        higher of--
                    (A) the official poverty line (as defined by the 
                Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually 
                in accordance with section 9902(2)) of title 42; or
                    (B) 70 percent of the lower living standard income 
                level.
            (4) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the chief 
        executive of any State.
            (5) Provider.--The term ``provider'' means a public agency, 
        private nonprofit organization, or private for-profit entity 
        that delivers basic employment, educational, job training, 
        employment-related, or supportive services.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the 
        Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Republic of the 
        Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the 
        Republic of Palau.

                  TITLE I--JOB TRAINING ACCOUNT SYSTEM

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT.

    Not later than January 1, 1996, the Secretary of Labor and the 
Secretary of Education shall jointly establish pursuant to the 
requirements of this Act a job training account system that provides 
vouchers to individuals for the purpose of the provision of job 
training and employment-related services.

SEC. 102. INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

    (a) In General.--Upon notification of approval of an application 
under section 104, an individual may receive a voucher in the amount of 
$3,000 for 2-years beginning on the date on which an application is 
approved under section 104.
    (b) Use of Training Account Vouchers for Job Training and 
Employment-Related Services.--
            (1) In general.--An individual who is a recipient of a 
        voucher under subsection (a) may use such voucher to purchase 
        job training or employment-related services from providers that 
        meet the requirements of section 106 or 107, whichever is 
        applicable.
            (2) Authorized job training and employment-related 
        services.--
                    (A) In general.--The job training and employment-
                related services described in paragraph (1) may 
                include--
                            (i) associate degree or nondegree programs 
                        at--
                                    (I) two- and four-year colleges;
                                    (II) vocational and technical 
                                education schools;
                                    (III) private for-profit and not-
                                for-profit training organizations;
                                    (IV) public agencies and schools; 
                                and
                                    (V) community-based organizations;
                            (ii) employer work-based training programs;
                            (iii) job search assistance;
                            (iv) in the case of individuals who are 
                        economically disadvantaged, preemployment 
                        training programs; or
                            (v) other appropriate employment-related 
                        services.
                    (B) Special rule.--A recipient of a voucher under 
                subsection (a) may not pay by voucher more than $750 
                for job search assistance services.

SEC. 103. ELIGIBILITY.

    An individual shall be eligible to receive a voucher under this 
title if such individual is--
            (1) a dislocated worker; or
            (2) an economically disadvantaged adult.

SEC. 104. OBTAINING A VOUCHER.

    (a) Application.--An individual who desires to participate in a 
training account program established under this title shall submit an 
application to a voucher application office described in subsection 
(b)(1) at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
information as the Governor may reasonably require. The Governor shall, 
to the extent that appropriations are available, approve an application 
that meets the application requirements of regulations issued under 
section 105 and promptly notify such applicant of such approval.
    (b) State-Designated Voucher Application Offices.--
            (1) Establishment.--Each State shall designate or establish 
        easily accessible voucher application offices within such State 
        to assist in administering the training account system under 
        this title. Such offices may be administered by private (for-
        profit or not-for-profit) or public entities.
            (2) Duties.--Each voucher application office shall--
                    (A) provide applications for vouchers under this 
                title to interested individuals, assist such 
                individuals in completing such applications, and 
                collect completed applications for determination of 
                eligibility;
                    (B) provide performance-based information to 
                applicants relating to service providers eligible to 
                receive payment by voucher in accordance with section 
                106 or 107, whichever is applicable;
                    (C) carry out such other duties relating to the 
                training account system as may be specified by the 
                Governor or prescribed in regulations issued jointly by 
                the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education; 
                and
                    (D) provide information on--
                            (i) the local economy and availability of 
                        employment;
                            (ii) profiles of local industries; and
                            (iii) details of local labor market demand.
            (3) Conflict of interest standards.--The Secretary of Labor 
        and the Secretary of Education shall jointly issue regulations 
        establishing procedures to ensure that voucher application 
        offices that are administered by an entity that is concurrently 
        an eligible provider of services under the training account 
        system provide information to voucher applicants relating to 
        the other providers of services in the local area in an 
        objective and equitable manner.
    (c) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that as 
States become more experienced with administering vouchers to eligible 
individuals that the voucher applications offices described in 
subsection (b) should be converted to one stop assistance centers 
described in section 301.

SEC. 105. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
Education shall jointly issue regulations that--
            (1) specify the--
                    (A) voucher application requirements;
                    (B) form of vouchers;
                    (C) use of such vouchers;
                    (D) method of redemption of such vouchers;
                    (E) most expeditious and effective process of 
                distribution (consistent with the findings and purposes 
                of this Act) of a voucher from the Federal Government 
                to eligible individuals; and
                    (F) the arrangements necessary to phase in the 
                training account system in each State in a timely 
                manner;
            (2) specify the duties and responsibilities of providers 
        under a training account program established by a State under 
        this title;
            (3) include a role for a State in the oversight of such 
        providers of such State;
            (4) specify the Federal and State responsibilities in such 
        oversight, including the enforcement responsibilities and the 
        determination of administrative costs with respect to a State 
        that establishes a training account program under this title;
            (5) include provisions that encourage States to distribute 
        in a regionally balanced manner, to the extent practicable, 
        vouchers to individuals to purchase job training or employment-
        related services in such State; and
            (6) specify the manner in which economically disadvantaged 
        individuals will receive adequate counseling and support 
        services necessary to take full advantage of the voucher 
        assistance under this title.
    (b) Public Comments.--In promulgating regulations under subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall 
provide the opportunity for comment from the public, including 
representatives of the business community, workers, and community-based 
organizations.

SEC. 106. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF JOB TRAINING.

    (a) Eligibility Requirements.--A provider of job training shall be 
eligible to receive payment by voucher under this title if such 
provider--
            (1) is--
                    (A) eligible to participate in programs under title 
                IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965; or
                    (B) determined to be eligible under the procedures 
                described in subsection (b); and
            (2) provides the performance-based information required 
        pursuant to subsection (c).
    (b) Alternative Eligibility Procedure.--
            (1) In general.--The Governor shall establish an 
        alternative eligibility procedure for providers of job training 
        desiring to receive payment by voucher under this title, but 
        that are not eligible to participate in programs under title IV 
        of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
            (2) Procedure requirements.--The procedure described in 
        paragraph (1) shall establish minimum acceptable levels of 
        performance for providers of job training based on factors and 
        guidelines developed jointly by the Secretary of Labor and the 
        Secretary of Education. Such factors shall be comparable in 
        rigor and scope to those provisions of part H of title IV of 
        the Higher Education Act of 1965 that are used to determine an 
        institution of higher education's eligibility to participate in 
        programs under such part as are appropriate to the type of 
        provider seeking eligibility under this subsection and the 
        nature of the education and training services to be provided.
            (3) Limitation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the 
        participation of an institution of higher education in any of 
        the programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
        is terminated, such institution shall not be eligible to 
        receive funds under this Act for a period of 2 years beginning 
        on the date of such termination.
    (c) Performance-Based Information.--
            (1) Contents.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
        Education, shall identify performance-based information that is 
        to be submitted by providers of job training desiring to be 
        eligible under this section. Such information may include 
        information relating to--
                    (A) the percentage of students completing the 
                programs conducted by a provider of job training;
                    (B) the rates of licensure of graduates of the 
                programs conducted by such provider;
                    (C) the percentage of graduates of the programs 
                conducted by such provider that meet skill standards 
                and certification requirements endorsed by the National 
                Skill Standards Board established under section 503 of 
                the National Skills Standards Act of 1994;
                    (D) the rates of placement and retention in 
                employment, and earnings of the graduates of the 
                programs conducted by such provider;
                    (E) the percentage of graduates of the program 
                conducted by such provider who obtained employment in 
                an occupation related to such program conducted by such 
                provider; and
                    (F) the warranties or guarantees provided by such 
                provider relating to the skill levels or employment to 
                be attained by graduates of the program conducted by 
                such provider.
            (2) Additions.--The Governor may, pursuant to the approval 
        of the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education, 
        prescribe additional performance-based information that shall 
        be submitted by providers of job training pursuant to this 
        subsection.
    (d) Administration.--
            (1) State agency.--The Governor shall designate a State 
        agency to collect, verify, and disseminate the performance-
        based information submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) of 
        subsection (c).
            (2) Application.--A provider of job training desiring to be 
        eligible to receive funds under this title shall submit the 
        information required under subsection (c) to the State agency 
        designated under paragraph (1) at such time and in such form as 
        such State agency may require.
            (3) List of eligible providers.--The State agency 
        designated under paragraph (1) shall compile a list of eligible 
        providers, accompanied by the performance-based information 
        submitted, and disseminate such list and information to the 
        voucher application offices described under section 105(b)(1), 
        assistance centers under section 301, and other appropriate 
        entities within the State.
            (4) Accuracy of information.--
                    (A) In general.--If the State agency determines 
                that a provider of training services submitted 
                inaccurate performance-based information under this 
                subsection, then such provider shall be disqualified 
                from receiving funds under this title for a period of 2 
                years beginning on the date of such determination, 
                unless such provider can demonstrate to the 
                satisfaction of the Governor or a designee of the 
                Governor, that the information was provided in good 
                faith.
                    (B) Appeal.--The Governor shall establish a 
                procedure for a provider of job training to appeal a 
                determination by a State agency that results in a 
                disqualification under subparagraph (A). Such procedure 
                shall provide an opportunity for a hearing and 
                prescribe appropriate time limits to ensure prompt 
                resolution of the appeal.
            (5) Assistance in developing information.--The State agency 
        designated under paragraph (1) may provide technical assistance 
        to a provider of job training in developing the performance-
        based information required under subsection (c). Such 
        assistance may include facilitating the utilization of State 
        administrative records, such as unemployment compensation wage 
        records, and other appropriate coordination activities.
            (6) Consultation.--The Secretary of Labor shall consult 
        with the Secretary of Education regarding the eligibility of 
        institutions of higher education or other providers of job 
        training to participate in programs under this Act or under 
        title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

SEC. 107. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF EMPLOYMENT-RELATED 
              SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--A provider of employment-related services shall be 
eligible to receive payment by voucher under this title if such 
provider--
            (1) is determined to be eligible under procedures described 
        in subsection (b); and
            (2) provides the performance-based information required 
        pursuant to subsection (c).
    (b) Procedures.--The Governor, after consultation with local 
elected officials and other appropriate entities in the State, shall 
establish eligibility procedures for providers of employment-related 
services in such State desiring to receive payment by voucher under 
this title. Such procedures shall establish minimum acceptable levels 
of performance for such providers based on factors and guidelines 
developed by the Secretary of Labor.
    (c) Performance-Based Information.--The Secretary of Labor and the 
Secretary of Education shall identify performance-based information 
that is to be submitted by providers of employment-related services 
desiring to be eligible under this section.

SEC. 108. EVALUATION OF TRAINING ACCOUNT SYSTEM AND ASSISTANCE CENTERS.

    The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall 
annually--
            (1) monitor the effectiveness of the training account 
        system and the assistance centers established under section 
        301;
            (2) evaluate the benefit of such system and centers to 
        voucher recipients under this title and the taxpayer; and
            (3) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
        information obtained from such evaluation.

SEC. 109. APPORTIONMENT OF FUNDS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
Education shall, without in any way reducing the commitment of, or the 
level of effort by, the Federal Government to improve the education, 
employment, and earnings of all workers and jobseekers (particularly in 
hard-to-serve communities), jointly apportion funds appropriated under 
section 202 to each State for each fiscal year in accordance with 
subsection (b).
    (b) Consideration of Factors.--
            (1) In general.--An apportionment of funds under subsection 
        (a) shall be based on the following factors:
                    (A) The relative number of unemployed individuals 
                who reside in each State as compared to the total 
                number of unemployed individuals in all the States.
                    (B) The relative excess number of unemployed 
                individuals who reside in each State as compared to the 
                total excess number of unemployed individuals in all 
                the States.
                    (C) The relative number of individuals who have 
                been unemployed for 15 weeks or more and who reside in 
                each State as compared to the total number of such 
                individuals in all the States.
                    (D) The relative number of economically 
                disadvantaged adults who reside in each State.
            (2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term 
        ``excess number'' means the number which represents unemployed 
        individuals in excess of 4.5 percent of the civilian labor 
        force in the State.
    (c) Funds for Vouchers.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), not 
        less than 75 percent of funds apportioned to a State under 
        subsection (a) shall be made available in the form of vouchers 
        to individuals in the State who are eligible under section 103.
            (2) Waiver.--The Secretary of Labor may waive the 
        requirement under paragraph (1) for a State if--
                    (A) such State provides job training and 
                employment-related services other than the job training 
                and employment-related services provided through 
                vouchers; and
                    (B) such services are considered by the Secretary 
                of Labor to be more beneficial to individuals in such 
                State to meet the self-determined training needs of 
                such individuals.
    (d) Nonvoucher Employment-Related Services.--
            (1) In general.--The remaining balance of the funds 
        apportioned under subsection (a) shall be used for employment-
        related services that are provided through means other than 
        voucher and that increase the probability that such individuals 
        will benefit from training and reenter the workforce.
            (2) Authorized services.--The employment-related services 
        described in paragraph (1) may include--
                    (A) skill assessments;
                    (B) testing;
                    (C) counseling;
                    (D) job development;
                    (E) work experience evaluation;
                    (F) job readiness training;
                    (G) basic skills education;
                    (H) supportive and supplemental services; and
                    (I) rapid response.
            (3) Availability of services.--The services described in 
        paragraph (2) and any other related services may be made 
        available through assistance centers established under title 
        III.
    (e) Special Rule.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
Education shall jointly determine the equitable distribution of voucher 
assistance and nonvoucher assistance under subsections (c) and (d), 
respectively, between dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged 
adults.

         TITLE II--ELIMINATION OF FEDERAL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. ELIMINATION OF PROGRAMS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
elimination and streamlining of Federal job training programs should be 
accomplished without in any way reducing the commitment of, or the 
level of effort by, the Federal Government to improve the education, 
employment, and earnings of all workers and jobseekers particularly in 
hard-to-serve communities.
    (b) Repeals of Employment Training Programs.--
            (1) In general.--The following provisions are repealed:
                    (A) Section 6(d)(4) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
                (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)).
                    (B) Section 106(b)(7) of the Job Training 
                Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1516(b)(7)).
                    (C) Section 123 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1533).
                    (D) Section 204(d) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1604(d)).
                    (E) Part A of title II of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1601 
                et seq.).
                    (F) Section 302(c) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1652(c)).
                    (G) Part A of title III of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1661 
                et seq.).
                    (H) Sections 321 through 324 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
                1662 through 1662c).
                    (I) Section 325 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1662d).
                    (J) Section 325A of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1662d-1).
                    (K) Section 326 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1662e).
                    (L) Sections 301 through 303 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
                1651 et seq.).
                    (M) Subtitle C of title VII of the Stewart B. 
                McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11441 et 
                seq.).
                    (N) The Displaced Homemakers Self-Sufficiency 
                Assistance Act (29 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
                    (O) Section 43 of the Airline Deregulation Act of 
                1978 (49 U.S.C. App. 1552).
                    (P) Title II of Public Law 95-250 (92 Stat. 172).
            (2) Effective date.--The repeals made by paragraph (1) 
        shall take effect on January 1, 1996.

SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act for 
fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998 the same level of funds that were 
appropriated for the programs described in section 201(b) for fiscal 
year 1995.

               TITLE III--INFORMATION FOR BETTER CHOICES

SEC. 301. ASSISTANCE CENTERS.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--A State may, with the funds made available 
        under section 109(d), make arrangements with private or public 
        entities to establish assistance centers to provide voucher 
        recipients under title I, jobseekers, employers, and workers 
        information and employment-related services to increase the 
        probability that such individuals will benefit from job 
        training and make better use of other Federal job training 
        assistance. An assistance center may serve as the location 
        where individuals may apply to become eligible for voucher 
        assistance under title I.
            (2) Location.--An assistance center may be located within 
        an existing unemployment office.
            (3) Public consultation.--A State that desires to establish 
        an assistance center is encouraged to consult the public, 
        including the business community, and workers, regarding the 
        choice of services to be made available and the location of 
        such center.
    (b) Available Information.--The information made available to 
individuals described in subsection (a) shall include data on--
            (1) the local economy and availability of employment;
            (2) profiles of local industries;
            (3) details of local labor market demand;
            (4) local demographic and socioeconomic characteristics;
            (5) the performance of training and education providers; 
        and
            (6) private support service providers.
    (c) Employment-Related Services.--The employment-related services 
available to individuals described in subsection (a) may include--
            (1) counseling;
            (2) skills and employability assessment;
            (3) job referral; and
            (4) child care.
    (d) Other Services.--The Governor shall make available through the 
assistance centers information on and provide referrals to other 
Federal and State job training and employment-related service programs.

SEC. 302. ACCESS TO LABOR MARKET INFORMATION.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that accurate, timely, and 
relevant data regarding employment, training, job skills, and education 
opportunities are useful for individuals making choices about the 
careers of such individuals.
    (b) Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary 
        of Education are authorized to make arrangements with public or 
        private entities to develop and provide relevant labor market 
        information to interested individuals, including voucher 
        recipients under title I, jobseekers, employers, and workers.
            (2) Type of information for collection.--The types of 
        information to be developed and provided under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) Regional labor market demand.
                    (B) Regional employment opportunities.
                    (C) Regional industries and employers.
                    (D) Demographic, socioeconomic, and economic 
                characteristics of particular regions.

SEC. 303. DIRECT LOANS TO WORKING AMERICANS.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that the Federal Direct Student 
Loan Program authorized by part D of title IV of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965, is a valuable financing tool for working Americans who 
desire to take advantage of training and education programs, consistent 
with the goals of such Americans, to learn new skills for careers that 
may bring higher salaries and improved quality of life.
    (b) Awareness.--The Department of Education shall endeavor to make 
known the value and availability of direct loans through the Federal 
Direct Student Loan Program under part D of title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 through cooperative arrangements with training 
and educational training programs, assistance centers, State agencies, 
and other Federal agencies.

                      TITLE IV--REPORTS AND PLANS

SEC. 401. CONSOLIDATION AND STREAMLINING.

    (a) Report on Consolidating Noncovered Federal Job Training 
Programs.--Not later than January 1, 1996, and each year thereafter, 
the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall jointly 
prepare and submit to Congress a report on how additional Federal job 
training programs not covered by this Act can be consolidated into a 
more integrated and accountable workforce development system that 
better meets the needs of jobseekers, workers, and business.
    (b) Plan on Use of Common Definitions, Measures, Standards, and 
Cycles.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall 
jointly develop a plan that, wherever practicable, requires all Federal 
job training programs not covered by this Act to use common 
definitions, common outcome measures, common eligibility standards, and 
common funding cycles in order to make such training programs more 
accessible.

SEC. 402. REPORT RELATING TO INCOME SUPPORT.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) many dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged 
        adults are unable to enroll in long-term job training because 
        such workers and adults lack income support after unemployment 
        compensation is exhausted;
            (2) evidence suggests that long-term job training is among 
        the most effective adjustment service in assisting dislocated 
        workers and economically disadvantaged adults to obtain 
        employment and enhance wages; and
            (3) there is a need to identify options relating to how 
        income support may be provided to enable dislocated workers and 
        economically disadvantaged adults to participate in long-term 
        job training.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Congress a report 
that--
            (1) examines the need for income support to enable 
        dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults to 
        participate in long-term job training;
            (2) identifies options relating to how income support can 
        be provided to such workers and adults; and
            (3) contains such recommendations as the Secretary of Labor 
        determines are appropriate.
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