[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1269 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1269

  To amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to support community 
       college and industry partnerships, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              July 8, 2013

 Mr. Franken (for himself, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to support community 
       college and industry partnerships, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Community College to Career Fund 
Act''.

SEC. 2. COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO CAREER FUND.

    Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

             ``Subtitle G--Community College to Career Fund

``SEC. 199B. COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under section 
199F(a)(1), the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education, in 
accordance with the interagency agreement described in section 199G, 
shall award competitive grants to eligible entities described in 
subsection (b) for the purpose of developing, offering, improving, or 
providing educational or career training programs for workers.
    ``(b) Eligible Entity.--
            ``(1) Partnerships with employers or an employer or 
        industry partnership.--
                    ``(A) General definition.--For purposes of this 
                section, an `eligible entity' means any of the entities 
                described in subparagraph (B) (or a consortium of any 
                of such entities) in partnership with employers or an 
                employer or industry partnership representing multiple 
                employers.
                    ``(B) Description of entities.--The entities 
                described in this subparagraph are--
                            ``(i) a community college;
                            ``(ii) a 4-year public institution of 
                        higher education (as defined in section 101(a) 
                        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1001(a))) that offers 2-year degrees, and that 
                        will use funds provided under this section for 
                        activities at the certificate and associate 
                        degree levels;
                            ``(iii) a Tribal College or University (as 
                        defined in section 316(b) of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))); or
                            ``(iv) a private or nonprofit, 2-year 
                        institution of higher education (as defined in 
                        section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 1002)) in the Commonwealth of Puerto 
                        Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, 
                        American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
                        Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the 
                        Marshall Islands, the Federated States of 
                        Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.
            ``(2) Additional partners.--
                    ``(A) Authorization of additional partners.--In 
                addition to partnering with employers or an employer or 
                industry partnership representing multiple employers as 
                described in paragraph (1)(A), an entity described in 
                paragraph (1) may include in the partnership described 
                in paragraph (1) 1 or more of the organizations 
                described in subparagraph (B). An eligible entity that 
                includes 1 or more such organizations shall collaborate 
                with the State or local board in the area served by the 
                eligible entity.
                    ``(B) Organizations.--The organizations described 
                in this subparagraph are as follows:
                            ``(i) An adult education provider or 
                        institution of higher education (as defined in 
                        section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 1001)).
                            ``(ii) A community-based organization.
                            ``(iii) A joint labor-management 
                        partnership.
                            ``(iv) A State or local board.
                            ``(v) Any other organization that the 
                        Secretaries consider appropriate.
    ``(c) Educational or Career Training Program.--For purposes of this 
section, the Governor of the State in which at least 1 of the entities 
described in subsection (b)(1)(B) of an eligible entity is located 
shall establish criteria for an educational or career training program 
leading to a recognized postsecondary credential for which an eligible 
entity submits a grant proposal under subsection (d).
    ``(d) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit an application containing a grant proposal to the 
Secretaries at such time and containing such information as the 
Secretaries determine is required, including a detailed description 
of--
            ``(1) the specific educational or career training program 
        for which the grant proposal is submitted and how the program 
        meets the criteria established under subsection (e), including 
        the manner in which the grant will be used to develop, offer, 
        improve, or provide the educational or career training program;
            ``(2) the extent to which the program will meet the 
        educational or career training needs of workers in the area 
        served by the eligible entity;
            ``(3) the extent to which the program will meet the needs 
        of employers in the area for skilled workers in in-demand 
        industry sectors and occupations;
            ``(4) the extent to which the program described fits within 
        any overall strategic plan developed by the eligible entity;
            ``(5) any previous experience of the eligible entity in 
        providing educational or career training programs, the absence 
        of which shall not automatically disqualify an eligible 
        institution from receiving a grant under this section; and
            ``(6) in the case of a project that involves an educational 
        or career training program that leads to a recognized 
        postsecondary credential described in subsection (f), how the 
        program leading to the credential meets the criteria described 
        in subsection (c).
    ``(e) Criteria for Award.--
            ``(1) In general.--Grants under this section shall be 
        awarded based on criteria established by the Secretaries, that 
        include the following:
                    ``(A) A determination of the merits of the grant 
                proposal submitted by the eligible entity involved to 
                develop, offer, improve, or provide an educational or 
                career training program to be made available to 
                workers.
                    ``(B) An assessment of the likely employment 
                opportunities available in the area to individuals who 
                complete an educational or career training program that 
                the eligible entity proposes to develop, offer, 
                improve, or provide.
                    ``(C) An assessment of prior demand for training 
                programs by individuals eligible for training and 
                served by the eligible entity, as well as availability 
                and capacity of existing (as of the date of the 
                assessment) training programs to meet future demand for 
                training programs.
            ``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Secretaries shall give priority to eligible entities that--
                    ``(A) include a partnership, with employers or an 
                employer or industry partnership, that--
                            ``(i) pays a portion of the costs of 
                        educational or career training programs; or
                            ``(ii) agrees to hire individuals who have 
                        attained a recognized postsecondary credential 
                        resulting from the educational or career 
                        training program of the eligible entity;
                    ``(B) enter into a partnership with a labor 
                organization or labor-management training program to 
                provide, through the program, technical expertise for 
                occupationally specific education necessary for a 
                recognized postsecondary credential leading to a 
                skilled occupation in an in-demand industry sector;
                    ``(C) are focused on serving individuals with 
                barriers to employment, low-income, non-traditional 
                students, students who are dislocated workers, students 
                who are veterans, or students who are long-term 
                unemployed;
                    ``(D) include community colleges serving areas with 
                high unemployment rates, including rural areas;
                    ``(E) are eligible entities that include an 
                institution of higher education eligible for assistance 
                under title III or V of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); 
                and
                    ``(F) include a partnership, with employers or an 
                employer or industry partnership, that increases 
                domestic production of goods, such as advanced 
                manufacturing or production of clean energy technology.
    ``(f) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this section shall 
be used for one or more of the following:
            ``(1) The development, offering, improvement, or provision 
        of educational or career training programs, that provide 
        relevant job training for skilled occupations that will meet 
        the needs of employers in in-demand industry sectors, and which 
        may include registered apprenticeship programs, on-the-job 
        training programs, and programs that support employers in 
        upgrading the skills of their workforce.
            ``(2) The development and implementation of policies and 
        programs to expand opportunities for students to earn a 
        recognized postsecondary credential, including a degree, in in-
        demand industry sectors and occupations, including by--
                    ``(A) facilitating the transfer of academic credits 
                between institutions of higher education, including the 
                transfer of academic credits for courses in the same 
                field of study;
                    ``(B) expanding articulation agreements and 
                policies that guarantee transfers between such 
                institutions, including through common course numbering 
                and use of a general core curriculum; and
                    ``(C) developing or enhancing student support 
                services programs.
            ``(3) The creation of workforce programs that provide a 
        sequence of education and occupational training that leads to a 
        recognized postsecondary credential, including a degree, 
        including programs that--
                    ``(A) blend basic skills and occupational training;
                    ``(B) facilitate means of transitioning 
                participants from non-credit occupational, basic 
                skills, or developmental coursework to for-credit 
                coursework within and across institutions;
                    ``(C) build or enhance linkages, including the 
                development of dual enrollment programs and early 
                college high schools, between secondary education or 
                adult education programs (including programs 
                established under the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
                seq.) and title II of this Act);
                    ``(D) are innovative programs designed to increase 
                the provision of training for students, including 
                students who are members of the National Guard or 
                Reserves, to enter skilled occupations in in-demand 
                industry sectors; and
                    ``(E) support paid internships that will allow 
                students to simultaneously earn credit for work-based 
                learning and gain relevant employment experience in an 
                in-demand industry sector or occupation, which shall 
                include opportunities that transition individuals into 
                employment.
            ``(4) The support of regional or national in-demand 
        industry sectors to develop skills consortia that will identify 
        pressing workforce needs and develop solutions such as--
                    ``(A) standardizing industry certifications;
                    ``(B) developing new training technologies; and
                    ``(C) collaborating with industry employers to 
                define and describe how specific skills lead to 
                particular jobs and career opportunities.

``SEC. 199C. PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE AND PAY-FOR-SUCCESS JOB TRAINING 
              PROJECTS.

    ``(a) Award Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under 
section 199F(a)(2), the Secretaries, in accordance with the interagency 
agreement described in section 199G, shall award grants on a 
competitive basis to eligible entities described in subsection (b) who 
achieve specific performance outcomes and criteria agreed to by the 
Secretaries under subsection (c) to carry out job training projects. 
Projects funded by grants under this section shall be referred to as 
either Pay-for-Performance or Pay-for-Success projects, as set forth in 
subsection (b).
    ``(b) Eligible Entity.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section, an entity shall be a State or local organization (which 
may be a local workforce organization) in partnership with an entity 
such as a community college or other training provider, who--
            ``(1) in the case of an entity seeking to carry out a Pay-
        for-Performance project, agrees to be reimbursed under the 
        grant primarily on the basis of achievement of specified 
        performance outcomes and criteria agreed to by the Secretaries 
        under subsection (c); or
            ``(2) in the case of an entity seeking to carry out a Pay-
        for-Success project--
                    ``(A) enters into a partnership with an investor, 
                such as a philanthropic organization that provides 
                funding for a specific project to address a clear and 
                measurable job training need in the area to be served 
                under the grant; and
                    ``(B) agrees to be reimbursed under the grant only 
                if the project achieves specified performance outcomes 
                and criteria agreed to by the Secretaries under 
                subsection (c).
    ``(c) Performance Outcomes and Criteria.--Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this subtitle, the Secretaries shall 
establish and publish specific performance measures, which include 
performance outcomes and criteria, for the initial qualification and 
reimbursement of eligible entities to receive a grant under this 
section. At a minimum, to receive such a grant, an eligible entity 
shall--
            ``(1) identify a particular program area and client 
        population that is not achieving optimal outcomes;
            ``(2) provide evidence that the proposed strategy for the 
        job training project would achieve better outcomes;
            ``(3) clearly articulate and quantify the improved outcomes 
        of such new approach;
            ``(4) for a Pay-for-Success project, specify a monetary 
        value that would need to be paid to obtain such outcomes and 
        explain the basis for such value;
            ``(5) identify data that would be required to evaluate 
        whether outcomes are being achieved for a target population and 
        a comparison group;
            ``(6) identify estimated savings that would result from the 
        improved outcomes, including to other programs or units of 
        government;
            ``(7) demonstrate the capacity to collect required data, 
        track outcomes, and validate those outcomes; and
            ``(8) specify how the entity will meet any other criteria 
        the Secretaries may require.
    ``(d) Period of Availability for Pay-for-Success Projects.--Funds 
appropriated to carry out Pay-for-Success projects pursuant to section 
199F(a)(2) shall, upon obligation, remain available for disbursement 
until expended, notwithstanding section 1552 of title 31, United States 
Code, and, if later deobligated, in whole or in part, be available 
until expended under additional Pay-for-Success grants under this 
section.

``SEC. 199D. BRING JOBS BACK TO AMERICA GRANTS.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under section 
199F(a)(3), the Secretaries, in accordance with the interagency 
agreement described in section 199G, shall award grants to State or 
local governments for job training and recruiting activities that can 
quickly provide businesses with skilled workers in order to encourage 
businesses to relocate to or remain in areas served by such 
governments. The Secretaries shall coordinate activities with the 
Secretary of Commerce in carrying out this section.
    ``(b) Purpose and Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this 
section may be used by a State or local government to issue subgrants, 
using procedures established by the Secretaries, to eligible entities, 
including those described in section 199B(b), to assist such eligible 
entities in providing job training necessary to provide skilled workers 
for businesses that have relocated or are considering relocating 
operations outside the United States, and may instead relocate to or 
remain in the areas served by such governments, and in conducting 
recruiting activities.
    ``(c) Application.--A State or local government seeking a grant 
under the program established under subsection (a) shall submit an 
application to the Secretaries in such manner and containing such 
information as the Secretaries may require. At a minimum, each 
application shall include--
            ``(1) a description of the eligible entity the State or 
        local government proposes to assist in providing job training 
        or recruiting activities;
            ``(2) a description of the proposed or existing business 
        facility involved, including the number of jobs relating to 
        such facility and the average wage or salary of those jobs; and
            ``(3) a description of any other resources that the State 
        has committed to assisting such business in locating such 
        facility, including tax incentives provided, bonding authority 
        exercised, and land granted.
    ``(d) Criteria.--The Secretaries shall award grants under this 
section to the State and local governments that--
            ``(1) the Secretaries determine are most likely to succeed, 
        with such a grant, in assisting an eligible entity in providing 
        the job training and recruiting necessary to cause a business 
        to relocate to or remain in an area served by such government;
            ``(2) will fund job training and recruiting programs that 
        will result in the greatest number and quality of jobs;
            ``(3) have committed State or other resources, to the 
        extent of their ability as determined by the Secretaries, to 
        assist a business to relocate to or remain in an area served by 
        such government; and
            ``(4) have met such other criteria as the Secretaries 
        consider appropriate, including criteria relating to marketing 
        plans, and benefits for ongoing area or State strategies for 
        economic development and job growth.

``SEC. 199E. GRANTS FOR ENTREPRENEUR AND SMALL BUSINESS STARTUP 
              TRAINING.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under section 
199F(a)(4), the Secretaries, in accordance with the interagency 
agreement described in section 199G, shall award grants, on a 
competitive basis, to eligible entities described in subsection (b) to 
provide training in starting a small business and entrepreneurship. The 
Secretaries shall coordinate activities with the Administrator of the 
Small Business Administration in carrying out this section, including 
coordinating the development of criteria and selection of proposals.
    ``(b) Eligible Entity.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        `eligible entity' means an entity described in section 
        199B(b)(1)(B) (or a consortium of any of such entities) in 
        partnership with at least 1 local or regional economic 
        development entity described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Additional partners.--Local or regional economic 
        development entities described in this paragraph are the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Small business development centers.
                    ``(B) Women's business centers.
                    ``(C) Regional innovation clusters.
                    ``(D) Local accelerators or incubators.
                    ``(E) State or local economic development agencies.
    ``(c) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit an application containing a grant proposal in such 
manner and containing such information as the Secretaries and the 
Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall require. Such 
information shall include a description of the manner in which small 
business and entrepreneurship training (including education) will be 
provided, the role of partners in the arrangement involved, and the 
manner in which the proposal will integrate local economic development 
resources and partner with local economic development entities.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this section shall 
be used to provide training in starting a small business and 
entrepreneurship, including through online courses, intensive seminars, 
and comprehensive courses.

``SEC. 199F. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
$8,000,000,000 to carry out this subtitle, of which $4,000,000,000 is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor and 
$4,000,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Education. Such amounts are authorized as follows:
            ``(1) $7,000,000,000 is authorized for the program 
        established by section 199B;
            ``(2) $500,000,000 is authorized for the program 
        established by section 199C;
            ``(3) $250,000,000 is authorized for the program 
        established by section 199D; and
            ``(4) $250,000,000 is authorized for the program 
        established by section 199E.
    ``(b) Administrative Cost.--Not more than 5 percent of the amounts 
made available under paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a) 
may be used by the Secretaries to administer the program described in 
that paragraph, including providing technical assistance and carrying 
out evaluations for the program described in that paragraph.
    ``(c) Period of Availability.--Except as provided in section 
199C(d), the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) for a fiscal 
year shall be available for Federal obligation for that fiscal year and 
the succeeding 2 fiscal years.

``SEC. 199G. INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
Education shall jointly develop policies for the administration of this 
subtitle in accordance with such terms as the Secretaries shall set 
forth in an interagency agreement. Such interagency agreement, at a 
minimum, shall include a description of the respective roles and 
responsibilities of the Secretaries in carrying out this subtitle (both 
jointly and separately), including--
            ``(1) how the funds available under this subtitle will be 
        obligated and disbursed and compliance with applicable laws 
        (including regulations) will be ensured, as well as how the 
        grantees will be selected and monitored;
            ``(2) how evaluations and research will be conducted on the 
        effectiveness of grants awarded under this subtitle in 
        addressing the education and employment needs of workers, and 
        employers;
            ``(3) how technical assistance will be provided to 
        applicants and grant recipients;
            ``(4) how information will be disseminated, including 
        through electronic means, on best practices and effective 
        strategies and service delivery models for activities carried 
        out under this subtitle; and
            ``(5) how policies and processes critical to the successful 
        achievement of the education, training, and employment goals of 
        this subtitle will be established.
    ``(b) Transfer Authority.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary 
of Education shall have the authority to transfer funds between the 
Department of Labor and the Department of Education to carry out this 
subtitle in accordance with the agreement described in subsection (a). 
The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall have the 
ability to transfer funds to the Secretary of Commerce and the 
Administrator of the Small Business Administration to carry out 
sections 199D and 199E, respectively.
    ``(c) Reports.--The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
Education shall jointly develop and submit a biennial report to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
Representatives, describing the activities carried out under this 
subtitle and the outcomes of such activities.

``SEC. 199H. DEFINITIONS.

    ``For purposes of this subtitle:
            ``(1) Community college.--The term `community college' has 
        the meaning given the term `junior or community college' in 
        section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1058(f)).
            ``(2) Nontraditional student.--The term `nontraditional 
        student' has the meaning given the term in section 803(j) of 
        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161c(j)).
            ``(3) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        `recognized postsecondary credential' means a credential 
        consisting of--
                    ``(A) an industry-recognized certificate;
                    ``(B) a certificate of completion of an 
                apprenticeship registered under the Act of August 16, 
                1937 (commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship 
                Act'; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.); 
                or
                    ``(C) an associate or baccalaureate degree.
            ``(4) Secretaries.--The term `Secretaries' means the 
        Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education.''.

SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

    The table of contents for the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (20 
U.S.C. 9201 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 199A the following:

             ``Subtitle G--Community College to Career Fund

``Sec. 199B. Community college and industry partnerships program.
``Sec. 199C. Pay-for-Performance and Pay-for-Success job training 
                            projects.
``Sec. 199D. Bring jobs back to America grants.
``Sec. 199E. Grants for entrepreneur and small business startup 
                            training.
``Sec. 199F. Authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 199G. Interagency agreement.
``Sec. 199H. Definitions.''.
                                 <all>