I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4355 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 16, 2009 Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to States, units of local government, and Indian tribes to carry out employment training programs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the New Jobs for America Act of 2009.

2.

Compensated employment training grants

(a)

Authorization

Subject to the availability of appropriations for such funds, the Secretary of Labor shall make grants to States, units of local government, and Indian tribes to carry out activities the activities described in subsection (b). (b)

Use of funds

A recipient of a grant under this Act shall use the grant for the following purposes: (1)To seek out unemployed individuals struggling financially whose prior training consisted of skills necessary for a faltering or dying industry. (2)To create compensated training programs that offer training in emerging markets and industries (such as green technologies). (3)To partner with historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic serving colleges and universities along with local community college systems to create innovative retraining programs for minorities focused on retooling workers for jobs in the growth sectors of healthcare, biotech, and information technology. (4)To partner with cities and non-profit organizations to provide apprenticeships and internships. (5)To provide compensation to participants in training programs to temporarily aide in their financial distress. (6)To provide access to public healthcare programs for participants. (7)To create training programs for ex-offenders in an effort to reduce recidivism. (8)To aide newly trained participants in securing employment within the field of their newly acquired expertise. (c)

Conditions

As a condition of receiving a grant under this Act, a grant recipient shall— (1)comply with nondiscrimination standards of the Civil Rights Act; (2)allocate not less than 80 percent of the funding allocated under the grant to wages, benefits, and support activities, including child care services to individuals receiving compensated training under such a grant; and (3)institute a program to aide newly trained participants in securing employment in their new area of expertise. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.