[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9079 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 9079

    To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to 
facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain 
                    States, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 29, 2022

   Mr. Smith of Washington introduced the following bill; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to 
facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain 
                    States, 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 ``Community and 
Technical College Investment Act of 2022''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                TITLE I--TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Sec. 101. Tuition-free community college grant program.
Sec. 102. Applications.
Sec. 103. Grant uses.
Sec. 104. Reports.
Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 106. Definitions.
                    TITLE II--INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY

Sec. 201. Institutional capacity and wraparound service support grant 
                            program.
Sec. 202. Application.
Sec. 203. Selection committee.
Sec. 204. Grant uses.
Sec. 205. Reports.
Sec. 206. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 207. Definitions.
                TITLE III--EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR STUDENTS

Sec. 301. Emergency grant fund program.
Sec. 302. Application.
Sec. 303. Grant uses.
Sec. 304. Data collection.
Sec. 305. Authorization of appropriations.
                     TITLE IV--TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 401. Technical assistance grant program.
Sec. 402. Application.
Sec. 403. Grant uses.
Sec. 404. Reports.
Sec. 405. Authorization of appropriations.
                          TITLE V--DEFINITIONS

Sec. 501. Definitions.

                TITLE I--TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SEC. 101. TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program to provide 
grants to each State that submits a complete application to facilitate 
tuition-free community college for all eligible students.
    (b) Grant Amounts.--The Secretary shall determine grant amounts 
under subsection (a) with respect to each State based on the following:
            (1) Statewide unemployment and underemployment rates that 
        are 1 percentage point above the national average.
            (2) The number of local educational agencies in a State 
        that elect to receive special assistance payments under section 
        11(a)(1)(F) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(1)(F).
            (3) A Statewide official poverty rate that is 1 percentage 
        point above the national average.
    (c) Funds.--
            (1) Timing.--A grant under this title shall be awarded for 
        a period of 5 years, of which--
                    (A) a maximum of 1 year may be used for planning; 
                and
                    (B) a minimum of 4 years shall be used for 
                implementation.
            (2) Federal cost share.--The Federal cost share of an 
        activity carried out with a grant under subparagraph (a) shall 
        not be less than 100 percent for costs incurred during the 5-
        year grant period described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 102. APPLICATIONS.

    To be eligible for a grant under this title, a State shall submit 
to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and 
containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate, 
including a State plan describing the following:
            (1) Interagency committee.--
                    (A) In general.--A plan to formalize an interagency 
                committee within such State to--
                            (i) evaluate gaps and opportunities in the 
                        State workforce, higher education, childcare, 
                        and human services systems; and
                            (ii) maximize Federal and State resources 
                        to support pathway development that increases 
                        economic mobility and recognized postsecondary 
                        credential attainment.
                    (B) Membership.--An assurance that such committee 
                shall consist of members from the following entities:
                            (i) State board.
                            (ii) State unemployment insurance agency.
                            (iii) Office of the State higher education 
                        executive officer and public college boards.
                            (iv) State community college system.
                            (v) State departments of health and human 
                        services.
                            (vi) State departments of economic 
                        development.
                            (vii) Other relevant State agencies as 
                        determined by the Governor of such State.
            (2) Education alignment.--A plan to--
                    (A) with respect to eligible individuals without a 
                secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, 
                facilitate the completion of such diploma or recognized 
                equivalent at a community college;
                    (B) ensure that credits received for Advanced 
                Placement or International Baccalaureate classes are 
                applied to an equivalent community college course; and
                    (C) otherwise align the requirements between 
                secondary schools and community colleges in order to 
                increase the accessibility of community college for 
                eligible individuals.
            (3) Development.--A plan to--
                    (A) improve career pathway development, with 
                special attention to career pathways related to in-
                demand industry sectors or occupations described in 
                paragraph (9);
                    (B) increase economic mobility of State residents; 
                and
                    (C) provide access to affordable postsecondary 
                education for State residents through a network of 
                coordinated State and Federal support systems designed 
                and implemented by State agencies.
            (4) Credential attainment.--A plan to prioritize secondary 
        and recognized postsecondary credential attainment through--
                    (A) integrated education and training models;
                    (B) dual enrollment programs; and
                    (C) an increased number of navigators.
            (5) Priority.--A plan to prioritize assistance to 
        individuals--
                    (A) with a barrier to employment; or
                    (B) with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty 
                level.
            (6) Public resources.--A plan to maximize public resources 
        to support the attainment of a recognized postsecondary 
        credential, including with respect to--
                    (A) transportation;
                    (B) on-campus or off-campus housing; and
                    (C) childcare.
            (7) Outreach.--A plan to reach eligible individuals without 
        a recognized postsecondary credential, including with respect 
        to individuals who--
                    (A) live in high-poverty areas;
                    (B) are first-generation students;
                    (C) are low-income students; and
                    (D) identify as belonging to other underrepresented 
                student groups.
            (8) Recognized postsecondary credential retention and 
        completion.--A plan to increase retention and credential 
        completion by--
                    (A) developing new, or expanding existing, degree 
                and credential programs based on the needs of in-demand 
                industry sectors or occupations described in paragraph 
                (9); and
                    (B) increasing the number of career counselors and 
                navigators.
            (9) In-demand industry sectors or occupations.--A plan to--
                    (A) identify in-demand industry sectors or 
                occupations in such State; and
                    (B) develop and provide access to pathways to 
                credential and degree programs for jobs in such 
                industries, giving priority to credential and degree 
                programs that correspond to high-quality jobs in 
                consultation with--
                            (i) the State board;
                            (ii) the State health and human services 
                        agency;
                            (iii) the State board of higher education; 
                        and
                            (iv) business industry groups within the 
                        State.
            (10) Federal programs.--
                    (A) In general.--A description of how the State 
                will use amounts under covered programs, to the extent 
                otherwise permitted by law, to reduce eligibility and 
                participation requirement barriers in such programs in 
                order to--
                            (i) treat the pursuit of a recognized 
                        postsecondary credential as meeting any 
                        compliance, work participation, and core 
                        activity requirements for each such program; 
                        and
                            (ii) increase access to and completion of 
                        recognized postsecondary credential programs.
                    (B) Covered programs defined.--In this paragraph, 
                the term ``covered programs'' means--
                            (i) the temporary assistance for needy 
                        families program under part A of title IV of 
                        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601);
                            (ii) the supplemental nutrition assistance 
                        program employment and training program under 
                        section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
                        (7 U.S.C. 2015); and
                            (iii) the child care development fund under 
                        the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act 
                        of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.).
            (11) Cost analyses.--Cost analyses for--
                    (A) providing tuition-free community and technical 
                college pathways to individuals who have not attained--
                            (i) a secondary school diploma or its 
                        recognized equivalent; or
                            (ii) a recognized postsecondary credential; 
                        and
                    (B) expanding institutional capacity to meet an 
                increased demand for recognized postsecondary 
                credentials by expanding supportive services, including 
                with respect to hiring additional--
                            (i) career counselors;
                            (ii) navigators; and
                            (iii) other support staff.
            (12) Data collection.--A plan for data collection efforts 
        to measure program outcomes and evaluate program success, 
        including by leveraging existing administrative data to track 
        any change in participation in recognized postsecondary 
        credential programs at community colleges.
            (13) Data sharing.--A State shall--
                    (A) provide an interagency data sharing agreement 
                that facilitates statewide data collection efforts 
                between--
                            (i) State agencies that oversee the 
                        dispersal of State and Federal benefits;
                            (ii) the State educational agency;
                            (iii) the State higher education system;
                            (iv) the State board; and
                            (v) other agencies determined by the 
                        Secretary to be necessary; and
                    (B) detail how such agreement will promote cross-
                agency collaboration and improve recognized 
                postsecondary credential completion.
            (14) Transfer agreements.--
                    (A) In general.--A description of--
                            (i) transfer agreements between 2-year and 
                        4-year public institutions of higher education 
                        in such State; and
                            (ii) the ways in which the State will 
                        expand the number of transfer agreements, 
                        including with respect to the facilitation and 
                        improvement of credit transfers between 
                        institutions.
                    (B) Transfer agreement.--An assurance that the 
                transfer agreement required under subparagraph (A)(i) 
                shall include, at a minimum--
                            (i) a general education curriculum that 
                        consists of not fewer than 30 credit hours that 
                        are transferrable to any public institution of 
                        higher education in such State;
                            (ii) common course numbering for 
                        substantively similar courses in such general 
                        education curriculum; and
                            (iii) assurance that an eligible 
                        associate's degree shall be fully transferrable 
                        to, and credited as, the first 2 years of a 
                        related baccalaureate program at a public 
                        institution of higher education in such State.

SEC. 103. GRANT USES.

    A State shall use grant funds awarded under this title for the 
following:
            (1) Implementing the State plan submitted under section 
        102.
            (2) Ensuring that eligible students enrolled in community 
        colleges--
                    (A) are not charged tuition or fees; and
                    (B) are not required to apply financial assistance 
                to tuition or fees.

SEC. 104. REPORTS.

    (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which a 
grant is made under this title, and annually thereafter, a State shall 
submit to the Secretary a report describing--
            (1) the uses of funds;
            (2) progress made in fulfilling the requirements under 
        section 103;
            (3) rates of--
                    (A) graduation and attainment of recognized 
                postsecondary credentials at participating community 
                colleges; and
                    (B) transfer to 4-year institutions at 
                participating community colleges; and
            (4) other information determined by the Secretary to be 
        necessary.
    (b) Certification.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
        which a State receives a grant under this title, such State 
        shall provide certification of implementation of the--
                    (A) education alignment plan required under section 
                102(2); and
                    (B) transfer agreements required under section 
                102(14).
            (2) Failure to certify.--If a State does not provide the 
        certification required under paragraph (1), such State shall 
        submit to the Secretary--
                    (A) a report describing the reasons for the failure 
                of such State to provide certification; and
                    (B) a plan to ensure that, not later than 5 years 
                after the date on which the State received a grant 
                under this title, such State will provide such 
                certification.
    (c) Sustaining Funds.--Not later than 180 days after the date that 
is the conclusion of the 5-year grant period described in section 
101(c), a State shall submit a report to the Secretary describing--
            (1) the ways in which such State will sustain a tuition-
        free community college model; and
            (2) the amount of Federal assistance needed to sustain the 
        model described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this title for fiscal year 2023 and each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years.

SEC. 106. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Business industry group.--The term ``business industry 
        group'' means an organization that represents businesses 
        (including small businesses), individual employers, industry 
        clusters, and individuals from--
                    (A) business or trade organizations;
                    (B) economic development organizations;
                    (C) nonprofit organizations, community-based 
                organizations, or intermediaries;
                    (D) philanthropic organizations;
                    (E) industry associations; or
                    (F) other organizations determined necessary by the 
                State.
            (2) Eligible associate's degree.--The term ``eligible 
        associate's degree'' means an associate's degree that--
                    (A) is in an academic major in the arts or 
                sciences;
                    (B) is awarded by a public institution of higher 
                education in a State; and
                    (C) is awarded on or after the date that is not 
                later than 3 years after the date on which the State 
                first received a grant under this Act.
            (3) High-quality job.--The term ``high-quality job'' means 
        a job with--
                    (A) wages and benefits in the top 20 percent for 
                the relevant industry or occupation;
                    (B) access to training and advancement 
                opportunities;
                    (C) paid sick leave;
                    (D) paid family leave; and
                    (E) paid medical leave or short-term disability 
                leave.
            (4) Navigator.--The term ``navigator'' means an individual 
        who is integrated into the existing community college operation 
        and who works with students to--
                    (A) understand the eligibility of such students for 
                Federal, State, and local financial aid and benefit 
                options;
                    (B) assist such students with the application 
                process for such options; and
                    (C) connect students with resources on campus and 
                in the community.

                    TITLE II--INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY

SEC. 201. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND WRAPAROUND SERVICE SUPPORT GRANT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program to award 
grants to each eligible State that submits a complete application under 
section 202 to provide institutional capacity and wraparound service 
support with respect to the implementation of tuition-free community 
college under title I.
    (b) Grant Amounts.--The Secretary shall determine grant amounts 
under subsection (a) with respect to each eligible State based on the 
following:
            (1) The cost analysis required under section 202(1).
            (2) The number of adults in such State without a secondary 
        credential or recognized postsecondary credential.
            (3) The number of adults in such State with a recognized 
        postsecondary credential that is not an associate or 
        baccalaureate degree.
            (4) The unemployment rate in such State.

SEC. 202. APPLICATION.

    To be eligible for a grant under this title, an eligible State 
shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such 
time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines 
appropriate, including--
            (1) a cost analysis for, with respect to community 
        colleges--
                    (A) the expansion of institutional capacity; and
                    (B) the provision of wraparound services for 
                students;
            (2) a plan detailing how the State will award subgrants in 
        accordance with section 204(b) among--
                    (A) community colleges that are located in 
                geographic areas that serve local educational agencies 
                that participate, through the community eligibility 
                provision authorized by the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids 
                Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1758 note et seq.) in--
                            (i) the national school lunch program under 
                        the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
                        Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); and
                            (ii) the school breakfast program under the 
                        Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et 
                        seq.);
                    (B) community colleges that are located in 
                geographic areas with 40 percent of the population at 
                or below the Federal poverty line;
                    (C) institutions of higher education with 
                admissions rates of 50 percent or higher;
                    (D) institutions that are eligible to receive a 
                grant under part A or B of title III or title V of the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), 
                including--
                            (i) historically Black colleges or 
                        universities;
                            (ii) Hispanic-serving institutions;
                            (iii) Tribal colleges or universities;
                            (iv) minority-serving institutions; and
                            (v) rural-serving institutions of higher 
                        education.

SEC. 203. SELECTION COMMITTEE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a selection 
committee to review each application and award grants under this title.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine the number 
        of members, of whom not less than 50 percent--
                    (A) may not be employed by the Federal Government;
                    (B) shall have relevant research or practical 
                experience with respect to student support programs;
                    (C) shall have relevant research or practical 
                experience with respect to designing and implementing 
                tuition-free community college programs; and
                    (D) shall identify as belonging to an 
                underrepresented group in higher education, including--
                            (i) African Americans;
                            (ii) Hispanics;
                            (iii) Native Americans;
                            (iv) Alaska Natives;
                            (v) Asian Americans; and
                            (vi) Native American Pacific Islanders, 
                        including Native Hawaiians.
            (2) Conflicts of interest.--With respect to each 
        application, a member having a conflict of interest may not 
        review such application.

SEC. 204. GRANT USES.

    (a) In General.--An eligible State shall use grant funds awarded 
under this title to award subgrants to eligible institutions in 
accordance with subsection (b).
    (b) Subgrants.--
            (1) In general.--An eligible State shall award subgrants to 
        eligible institutions.
            (2) Eligible institution defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term ``eligible institution'' means an institution--
                    (A) listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of 
                section 202(2); and
                    (B) located in the eligible State.
            (3) Application.--An eligible institution seeking a 
        subgrant under this subsection shall submit to the eligible 
        State an application in such form, at such time, and containing 
        such information as the State may require.
            (4) Subgrant uses.--An eligible institution that receives a 
        subgrant under this subsection shall use such subgrant funds 
        for implementing activities and services that improve retention 
        and completion of recognized postsecondary credentials, 
        including--
                    (A) identifying and addressing the needs of 
                students, including affordable housing, childcare, 
                transportation, and food;
                    (B) supporting the work of navigators, including--
                            (i) providing information to students with 
                        respect to eligibility for assistance under 
                        other Federal, State, and institutional 
                        assistance programs; and
                            (ii) connecting students with on-campus and 
                        off-campus supportive services;
                    (C) hiring additional staff;
                    (D) increasing access to supportive services by 
                centralizing such services on-campus;
                    (E) offering additional scheduling options for 
                classes with respect to the day, time, and location of 
                such classes;
                    (F) improving the transfer of credits between 
                institutions of higher education, including community 
                colleges;
                    (G) expanding pathways related to in-demand 
                industry sectors or occupations; and
                    (H) providing access to technology, including--
                            (i) digital literacy courses;
                            (ii) computers;
                            (iii) software; and
                            (iv) other equipment necessary to attain a 
                        recognized postsecondary credential.

SEC. 205. REPORTS.

    (a) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
        which a grant is made under this title, and annually 
        thereafter, an eligible State shall submit to the Secretary a 
        report describing--
                    (A) the uses of funds under this title;
                    (B) progress made in fulfilling the requirements of 
                the grant;
                    (C) with respect to participating community 
                colleges, rates of--
                            (i) graduation;
                            (ii) transfer; and
                            (iii) attainment of recognized 
                        postsecondary credentials;
                    (D) the institutional reports submitted under 
                subsection (b);
                    (E) the ways in which the State is communicating 
                with institutions to--
                            (i) understand the barriers of students, 
                        with respect to eligibility and access, to 
                        public supports; and
                            (ii) use the information described in 
                        subparagraph (A) to inform any changes;
                    (F) the ways in which the State human services 
                agency and State board are aligning the policy goals of 
                such agencies with the policy goals of the State higher 
                education agency;
                    (G) changes in completion of secondary and 
                postsecondary degrees for target eligible students;
                    (H) changes in access to, and use of, public 
                benefits;
                    (I) changes in employment with respect to in-demand 
                industry sectors and high-quality jobs;
                    (J) changes in rates of unemployment and 
                underemployment;
                    (K) other data as provided by the State; and
                    (L) other data as required by the Secretary;
            (2) Disaggregation.--The information described in 
        subparagraphs (G) through (K) shall be disaggregated, where 
        possible, by--
                    (A) race;
                    (B) ethnicity; and
                    (C) income level.
    (b) Institution Report.--Not later than 1 year after receiving a 
subgrant under section 204(b), an on an annual basis thereafter, an 
institution shall submit to the State a report describing--
            (1) the uses of funds;
            (2) with respect to the period beginning on the date on 
        which a subgrant was received and ending on the date on which 
        the report is submitted, changes in rates of--
                    (A) retention; and
                    (B) graduation;
            (3) the ways in which such institution increased awareness 
        of, and access to, public supports made available through State 
        agencies; and
            (4) the ways in which such institution made improvements to 
        tracking data with respect to--
                    (A) the basic needs of students;
                    (B) the financial barriers of students; and
                    (C) the connection of students to public supports.

SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this title for fiscal year 2023 and each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years.

SEC. 207. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Eligible state.--The term ``eligible State'' means a 
        State that is a recipient of a grant under title I.
            (2) HEA terms.--
                    (A) Hispanic-serving institution.--The term 
                ``Hispanic-serving institution'' has the meaning given 
                such term in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a).
                    (B) Historically black college or university.--The 
                term ``historically Black college or university'' has 
                the meaning given the term ``part B institution'' in 
                section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1061).
                    (C) Minority-serving institution.--The term 
                ``minority-serving institution'' includes the entities 
                described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 
                371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1067q(a)).
                    (D) Tribal college or university.--The term 
                ``Tribal college or university'' has the meaning given 
                such term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
                    (E) Rural-serving institution of higher 
                education.--The term ``rural-serving institution of 
                higher education'' has the meaning given such term in 
                section 861(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1161q(b)).

                TITLE III--EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR STUDENTS

SEC. 301. EMERGENCY GRANT FUND PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program to provide 
grants to each State that submits a complete application to provide 
emergency aid subgrants to eligible students enrolled at a public 
institution of higher education.
    (b) Funds.--
            (1) Timing.--A grant under this title shall be awarded for 
        a period of 5 years.
            (2) Administration.--Not more than 20 percent of funds 
        awarded under this title may be used for the administration of 
        emergency aid at institutions of higher education.
            (3) Direct aid.--Not less than 80 percent of funds awarded 
        under this title shall be used to award emergency aid subgrants 
        to eligible students.
    (c) Eligible Student Defined.--In this title, the term ``eligible 
student'' means a student enrolled at a public institution of higher 
education, without regard to whether such student submits an 
application under section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1090), experiencing financial challenges that may affect the 
ability of such student to remain enrolled at such institution, 
including--
            (1) loss of--
                    (A) employment (including a temporary loss of 
                employment);
                    (B) transportation;
                    (C) child care;
                    (D) utilities (including water and electricity); or
                    (E) housing;
            (2) food insecurity;
            (3) with respect to a student or the dependent of such 
        student, a medical condition or need, including--
                    (A) pregnancy; and
                    (B) mental health conditions;
            (4) with respect to a student who is a dependent--
                    (A) the death of a parent or guardian; or
                    (B) a parent or guardian with a medical condition 
                that results in temporary or permanent loss of 
                employment of such parent or guardian.

SEC. 302. APPLICATION.

    To be eligible for a grant under this title, a State shall submit 
to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and 
containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate, 
including--
            (1) a data-sharing agreement between the State agency 
        administering the program and the institutions of higher 
        education in such State;
            (2) the ways in which such State will ensure publicity and 
        availability of emergency aid on campuses of participating 
        institutions of higher education;
            (3) the estimated amount of funding needed, based on, with 
        respect to such State--
                    (A) income distribution of eligible students;
                    (B) the number of open-access and rural 
                institutions; and
                    (C) poverty rates;
            (4) the populations of students such State will prioritize 
        in awarding subgrants;
            (5) a description of the ways in which such State will 
        administer subgrants, including with respect to--
                    (A) responding to applications;
                    (B) approving applications; and
                    (C) disbursing emergency aid subgrants outside of 
                business hours; and
            (6) an assurance that such State will notify students 
        enrolled in institutions of higher education in such State if 
        such students, or dependents of such students, become eligible 
        for assistance under--
                    (A) the special supplemental nutrition program for 
                women, infants, and children under section 17 of the 
                Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786);
                    (B) the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
                under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 
                et seq.);
                    (C) the free and reduced price school lunch program 
                under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
                    (D) the temporary assistance for needy families 
                program under part A of title IV of the Social Security 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 601);
                    (E) the supplemental security income program under 
                title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et 
                seq.);
                    (F) Medicaid under title XIX of the Social Security 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.);
                    (G) Federal housing assistance programs under the 
                United States Housing Act of 1937, including--
                            (i) public housing as defined in section 
                        3(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)); and
                            (ii) tenant-based assistance under section 
                        8(o) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)); and
                    (H) any other means-tested program determined by 
                the Secretary to be appropriate.

SEC. 303. GRANT USES.

    (a) In General.--A State shall use grant funds awarded under this 
title to award subgrants to eligible students for emergency aid.
    (b) Subgrants.--
            (1) Administration.--In awarding subgrants under this 
        subsection, a State may award a contract to a scholarship-
        granting organization for purposes of--
                    (A) accepting applications from eligible students; 
                and
                    (B) disbursing subgrant funds to eligible students.
            (2) Applications.--
                    (A) In general.--To be eligible for a subgrant 
                under this title, an eligible student shall submit to 
                the State an application in such form, at such time, 
                and containing such information as the State determines 
                appropriate.
                    (B) Appeal.--If an application for an emergency aid 
                subgrant submitted by an eligible student under 
                subparagraph (A) is denied by the State, such student 
                may appeal such denial in a manner to be determined by 
                the State.
            (3) Notification.--Upon receipt of an application from an 
        eligible student under paragraph (2), the State shall notify 
        such student of such receipt in a manner to be determined by 
        the State.
            (4) Funds.--
                    (A) Subgrant amounts.--
                            (i) Eligible students without dependents.--
                        With respect to an academic year, a subgrant 
                        awarded to an eligible student that does not 
                        have a dependent may not exceed $1,500.
                            (ii) Eligible students with dependents.--
                        With respect to an academic year, a subgrant 
                        awarded to an eligible student with a dependent 
                        may not exceed $2,500.
                    (B) Disbursement of funds.--A State shall disburse 
                funds to eligible students in a timely manner, as 
                determined by the State.
                    (C) Federal taxes.--A subgrant under this title may 
                not be considered income for purposes of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 304. DATA COLLECTION.

    A State that awards subgrants under this title shall collect the 
following data:
            (1) With respect to each public institution of higher 
        education--
                    (A) the number and percentage of students receiving 
                emergency aid; and
                    (B) the average grant amount for each student.
            (2) With respect to each semester or quarter at a public 
        institution of higher education--
                    (A) rate of retention; and
                    (B) rate of completion of a recognized secondary 
                credential.
            (3) The grade point averages of students receiving 
        emergency aid subgrants.
            (4) Other data reported by the State.
            (5) Other data required by the Secretary.

SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this title for fiscal year 2023 and each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years.

                     TITLE IV--TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

SEC. 401. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program to provide 
grants to eligible entities to provide technical assistance to States 
applying for grants under title I, II, or III of this Act.
    (b) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this title, the term ``eligible 
entity'' means an entity--
            (1) that is--
                    (A) a nonprofit organization;
                    (B) a think tank;
                    (C) a State board of education;
                    (D) a research center at an institution of higher 
                education; or
                    (E) an other entity as determined by the Secretary;
            (2) that has expertise with respect to--
                    (A) developing, designing, researching, or 
                evaluating--
                            (i) tuition-free community college 
                        programs;
                            (ii) emergency aid programs; or
                            (iii) initiatives addressing the basic 
                        needs of students; or
                    (B) implementing supportive services programs for 
                students; and
            (3) that has a demonstrated record of supporting 
        institutions of higher education or States with respect to--
                    (A) the activities described in paragraph (2); and
                    (B) connecting students to public benefits.

SEC. 402. APPLICATION.

    To be eligible for a grant under this title, an eligible entity 
shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such 
time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines 
appropriate.

SEC. 403. GRANT USES.

    An eligible entity shall use grant funds awarded under this title 
for the following:
            (1) Assisting States with respect to--
                    (A) the application process for a grant under title 
                I, II, or III of this Act; and
                    (B) the development or new, or expansion or 
                improvement of existing, tuition-free community college 
                models.
            (2) Assisting the Secretary with respect to--
                    (A) evaluating applications from States for grants 
                under title I, II, or III of this Act; and
                    (B) providing feedback to such States.

SEC. 404. REPORTS.

    (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which a 
grant is made under this title, and on an annual basis thereafter, a 
State receiving assistance from an eligible entity that received a 
grant under this title shall submit to the Secretary a report on--
            (1) the effectiveness of such assistance, including, as 
        applicable, progress with respect to applying for a grant under 
        this Act; and
            (2) as of the date of the submission of the report, any 
        outcomes of programs funded by a grant under this Act and 
        carried out by such State, describing--
                    (A) any Federal policies that prevent successful 
                implementation of such programs; and
                    (B) any recommendations for changes with respect to 
                Federal policies described in paragraph (1).
    (b) GAO Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which each 
report is submitted under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
submit to Congress a report on the policy barriers described in 
subsection (a)(2), including policy recommendations based on such 
barriers.

SEC. 405. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this title for fiscal year 2023 and each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years.

                          TITLE V--DEFINITIONS

SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Community college.--The term ``community college'' has 
        the meaning given the term ``junior or community college'' in 
        Section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1058).
            (2) Eligible student.--The term ``eligible student'' means 
        an individual who--
                    (A) is at least 18 years of age;
                    (B) a resident of the State; and
                    (C) does not have a recognized postsecondary 
                credential.
            (3) ESEA terms.--The terms ``secondary school'' and 
        ``Secretary'' have the meanings given such terms in section 
        8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).
            (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (5) WIOA terms.--
                    (A) The terms ``in-demand industry sector or 
                occupation'', ``individual with a barrier to 
                employment'', ``recognized postsecondary credential'', 
                ``State board'', and ``supportive services'' have the 
                meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Workforce 
                Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
                    (B) The term ``integrated education and training'' 
                has the meaning given such term in section 203 of the 
                Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3272).
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