    [Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
    [H.R. 8210 Introduced in House (IH)]

    <DOC>

    119th CONGRESS
      2d Session
                                    H. R. 8210

          To reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

    _______________________________________________________________________

                        IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 April 6, 2026

     Mr. Walberg introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
    Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee
     on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
      Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
               within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

    _______________________________________________________________________

                                     A BILL

          To reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

        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 ``A Stronger
    Workforce for America Act of 2026''.
        (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
    follows:

    Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                   TITLE I--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

                         Subtitle A--General Provisions

    Sec. 101. Purposes.
    Sec. 102. Definitions.
    Sec. 103. Table of contents amendments.
                          Subtitle B--System Alignment

                          Chapter 1--State Provisions

    Sec. 111. State workforce development board.
    Sec. 112. Unified State plan.
                          Chapter 2--Local Provisions

    Sec. 115. Workforce development areas.
    Sec. 116. Local workforce development boards.
    Sec. 117. Local plan.
                     Chapter 3--Performance Accountability

    Sec. 119. Performance accountability system.
           Subtitle C--Workforce Investment Activities and Providers

            Chapter 1--Workforce Investment Activities and Providers

    Sec. 121. Establishment of one-stop delivery systems.
    Sec. 122. Identification of eligible providers of training services.
    Sec. 123. Eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities.
                Chapter 2--Youth Workforce Investment Activities

    Sec. 131. Reservations; Reallocation.
    Sec. 132. Use of funds for youth workforce investment activities.
        Chapter 3--Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment and Training
                                   Activities

    Sec. 141. State allotments.
    Sec. 142. Reservations for State activities; within State allocations;
                                Reallocation.
    Sec. 143. Use of funds for employment and training activities.
               Chapter 4--General Workforce Investment Provisions

    Sec. 145. Authorization of appropriations.
                             Subtitle D--Job Corps

    Sec. 151. Purposes.
    Sec. 152. Definitions.
    Sec. 153. Individuals eligible for the Job Corps.
    Sec. 154. Recruitment, screening, selection, and assignment of
                                enrollees.
    Sec. 155. Job Corps Campuses.
    Sec. 156. Program activities.
    Sec. 157. Counseling and job placement.
    Sec. 158. Support.
    Sec. 159. Operations.
    Sec. 160. Standards of conduct.
    Sec. 161. Community participation.
    Sec. 162. Workforce councils.
    Sec. 163. Advisory committees.
    Sec. 164. Experimental projects and technical assistance.
    Sec. 165. Special provisions.
    Sec. 166. Management information.
    Sec. 167. Job Corps oversight and reporting.
    Sec. 168. Authorization of appropriations.
    Sec. 169. Conforming amendments.
                         Subtitle E--National Programs

    Sec. 171. Native American programs.
    Sec. 172. Migrant and seasonal farmworker programs.
    Sec. 173. Technical assistance.
    Sec. 174. Evaluations and research.
    Sec. 175. National dislocated worker grants.
    Sec. 176. YouthBuild Program.
    Sec. 177. Reentry employment opportunities.
    Sec. 178. Youth apprenticeship readiness grant program.
    Sec. 179. Strengthening community colleges grant program.
    Sec. 180. Authorization of appropriations.
                           Subtitle F--Administration

    Sec. 191. Requirements and restrictions.
    Sec. 192. Monitoring.
    Sec. 193. Fiscal controls; sanctions.
    Sec. 194. Administrative adjudication.
    Sec. 195. Judicial review.
    Sec. 196. General waivers of statutory or regulatory requirements.
    Sec. 197. Make America Skilled Again grants.
    Sec. 198. General program requirements.
                     TITLE II--ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY

       Subtitle A--Transferring All Functions of the Adult Education and
                 Family Literacy Act to the Department of Labor

    Sec. 201. Transfer of functions.
    Sec. 202. Personnel Determinations by the Office of Management and
                                Budget.
    Sec. 203. Delegation and assignment.
    Sec. 204. Reorganization; Rules.
    Sec. 205. Transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel.
    Sec. 206. Incidental transfers.
    Sec. 207. Savings provisions.
    Sec. 208. References.
    Sec. 209. Transition.
    Sec. 210. Updating references.
    Sec. 211. Effective date.
              Subtitle B--Adult Education and Family Literacy Act

    Sec. 221. Purposes.
    Sec. 222. Definitions.
    Sec. 223. Authorization of appropriations.
    Sec. 224. Special rule.
    Sec. 225. Performance accountability system.
    Sec. 226. Matching requirement.
    Sec. 227. State leadership activities.
    Sec. 228. Programs for corrections education and other
                                institutionalized individuals.
    Sec. 229. Grants and contracts for eligible providers.
    Sec. 230. Local application.
    Sec. 231. Local administrative cost limits.
    Sec. 232. National leadership activities.
    Sec. 233. Integrated English literacy and civics education.
                      TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS

    Sec. 301. Amendments to the Wagner-Peyser Act.
    Sec. 302. Job training grants.
    Sec. 303. Access to National Directory of New Hires.
    Sec. 304. References to other laws.
               TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

    Sec. 401. Technical assistance for transforming to competitive
                                integrated employment.
                          TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Sec. 501. Report on data capability and interoperability of Federal and
                                State databases and data exchange
                                agreements.
    Sec. 502. Effective dates; transition authority.

                   TITLE I--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

                         Subtitle A--General Provisions

    SEC. 101. PURPOSES.

        Section 2 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``support services'' and
            inserting ``supportive services'';
                (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, for youth and
            adults,'' after ``economic development systems'';
                (3) in paragraph (6), by striking ``of the workforce,
            reduce welfare dependency,'' and inserting ``of the workforce,
            provide economic mobility, reduce dependency on public
            assistance programs,''; and
                (4) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(7) To prepare a globally competitive workforce by
            developing robust education and skills development programs for
            youth to access career pathways that will lead such youth into
            in-demand industry sectors and occupations.''.

    SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

        (a) Foundational Skill Needs.--Section 3(5) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(5)) is amended to read
    as follows:
                ``(5) Foundational skill needs.--The term `foundational
            skill needs' means, with respect to an individual who is a
            youth or adult, that the individual--
                        ``(A) has English reading, writing, or computing
                    skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally
                    accepted standardized test; or
                        ``(B) is unable to compute or solve problems, is
                    unable to read, write, or speak English, or does not
                    possess digital literacy skills, at a level necessary
                    to function in the individual's education or
                    occupation, in the individual's family, or in
                    society.''.
        (b) Career Pathway.--Section 3(7)(F) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(7)(F)) is amended by striking
    ``secondary school diploma'' and inserting ``regular high school
    diploma''.
        (c) Employer-Directed Skills Development.--Section 3(14) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(14)) is
    amended to read as follows:
                ``(14) Employer-directed skills development.--The term
            `employer-directed skills development' means skills development
            provided through a program--
                        ``(A) that is selected or designed to meet the
                    specific skill demands of an employer (including a
                    group of employers, such as an industry or trade
                    association or an industry or sector partnership);
                        ``(B) that is conducted pursuant to the terms and
                    conditions established under an employer-directed
                    skills agreement described in section 134(c)(3)(I),
                    including a commitment by the employer to employ an
                    individual upon successful completion of the program;
                    and
                        ``(C) for which the employer pays a portion of the
                    cost of the program, as determined by the local board
                    involved, which shall not be less than--
                                ``(i) 10 percent of the cost, in the case
                            of an employer with 50 or fewer employees;
                                ``(ii) 25 percent of the cost, in the case
                            of an employer with more than 50 but not more
                            than 100 employees; and
                                ``(iii) 50 percent of the cost, in the case
                            of an employer with more than 100 employees.''.
        (d) Dislocated Worker.--Section 3(15)(B) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(15)(B)) is amended--
                (1) in clause (i), by inserting ``, including such a
            closure or layoff due to advances in automation technology''
            before the semicolon; and
                (2) in clause (iii), by striking ``section
            134(c)(2)(A)(xii)'' and inserting ``section
            134(c)(2)(B)(vii)''.
        (e) Displaced Homemaker.--Section 3(16) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(16)) is amended, in the matter
    preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``family members'' and
    inserting ``a family member''.
        (f) English Learner.--Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is further amended--
                (1) in paragraph (21)--
                        (A) in the heading, by striking ``language''; and
                        (B) by striking ``language''; and
                (2) in paragraph (24)(I), by striking ``language''.
        (g) Individual With a Barrier to Employment.--Section 3(24) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(24)) is
    amended--
                (1) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``(42 U.S.C. 14043e-
            2(6)))'' and inserting ``(34 U.S.C. 12473(6)))'';
                (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (N) as
            subparagraphs (J) through (O), respectively;
                (3) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:
                        ``(I) Out of school youth.''; and
                (4) in subparagraph (K), as so redesignated, by striking
            ``section 167(i)'' and inserting ``167(j)''.
        (h) Industry or Sector Partnership.--Section 3(26) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(26)) is amended--
                (1) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``or another labor
            representative, as appropriate;'' and inserting ``and, to the
            extent practicable, another labor representative;''; and
                (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                        (A) by redesignating clauses (vi) through (xi) as
                    clauses (viii) through (xiii), respectively; and
                        (B) by striking clause (v) and inserting the
                    following:
                                ``(v) State educational agencies or local
                            educational agencies;
                                ``(vi) State higher education agencies, as
                            defined in section 103 of the Higher Education
                            Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003), or State systems
                            of higher education;
                                ``(vii) other State or local agencies;''.
        (i) Local Area.--Section 3(32) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(32)) is amended by striking ``sections
    106(c)(3)(A)'' and inserting ``sections 106(c)(4)(A)''.
        (j) Educational Agencies.--Section 3(34) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(34)) is amended to read
    as follows:
                ``(1) Local educational agency; state educational agency.--
            The terms `local educational agency' and `State educational
            agency' have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of
            the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.''.
        (k) Local Plan.--Section 3(35) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(32)) is amended by striking ``section
    106(c)(3)(B)'' and inserting ``section 106(c)(4)(B)''.
        (l) Low-income Individual.--Section 3(36)(A)(iii) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(36)(A)(iii)) is amended
    by striking ``(42 U.S.C. 14043e-2(6)))'' and inserting ``(34 U.S.C.
    12473(6)))''.
        (m) Pay-for-Performance Contract Strategy.--Section 3(47) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(47)) is
    amended to read as follows:
                ``(47) Pay-for-performance contract strategy.--The term
            `pay-for-performance contract strategy' means a performance-
            based contract strategy that uses pay-for-performance contracts
            in the provision of services described in paragraph (2) or (3)
            of section 134(c) or activities described in section 129(c)(2),
            and includes--
                        ``(A) contracts, each of which--
                                ``(i) shall specify a fixed amount that
                            will be paid to an eligible service provider
                            (which may include a local or national
                            community-based organization or intermediary,
                            community college, or other provider) based on
                            the achievement of specified levels of
                            performance on the primary indicators of
                            performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A)
                            for target populations as identified by the
                            local board and which shall identify a specific
                            target for the number or percentage of
                            individuals to be served that will be
                            individuals with barriers to employment, within
                            a defined timetable; and
                                ``(ii) may provide for bonus payments to
                            such service provider to expand capacity to
                            provide effective training and other services,
                            including bonus payments for exceeding the
                            identified target for serving individuals with
                            barriers to employment;
                        ``(B) a strategy for validating the achievement of
                    the performance described in subparagraph (A); and
                        ``(C) a description of how the State or local area
                    will reallocate funds not paid to a provider because
                    the achievement of the performance described in
                    subparagraph (A) did not occur, for further activities
                    related to such a contract strategy, subject to section
                    189(g)(2)(D).''.
        (n) Rapid Response Activity.--Section 3(51) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(51)) is amended--
                (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
            ``, through a rapid response unit'' after ``designated by a
            State'';
                (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the semicolon
            at the end the following: ``, including access through
            individual training accounts for eligible dislocated workers
            under section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and
            Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3224a)'';
                (3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                (4) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);
                (5) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new
            subparagraph:
                        ``(E) assistance in identifying workers eligible
                    for assistance, including workers who work a majority
                    of their time offsite or remotely;'';
                (6) in subparagraph (F), as so redesignated, by striking
            the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                (7) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(G) the provision of business engagement or
                    layoff aversion strategies and other activities
                    designed to prevent or minimize the duration of
                    unemployment, such as--
                                ``(i) connecting employers to short-term
                            compensation or other programs designed to
                            prevent layoffs;
                                ``(ii) conducting worker skill assessment,
                            and programs to match workers to different
                            occupations;
                                ``(iii) establishing incumbent worker
                            training or other upskilling approaches,
                            including through incumbent worker upskilling
                            accounts described in section 134(d)(4)(E);
                                ``(iv) facilitating business support
                            activities, such as connecting employers to
                            programs that offer access to credit, financial
                            support, and business consulting; and
                                ``(v) partnering or contracting with
                            business-focused organizations to assess risks
                            to companies, and to propose, implement, and
                            measure the impact of strategies and services
                            to address such risks.''.
        (o) School Dropout.--Section 3(54) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(54)) is amended by striking ``secondary
    school diploma'' and inserting ``regular high school diploma''.
        (p) Supportive Services.--Section 3(59) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(59)) is amended by striking
    ``housing,'' and inserting ``assistive technology, housing, food
    assistance,''.
        (q) New Definitions.--Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is further amended by adding at the
    end the following:
                ``(72) Co-enrollment.--The term `co-enrollment' means
            simultaneous enrollment in more than one of the programs or
            activities carried out by a one-stop partner specified in
            section 121(b)(1)(B).
                ``(73) Digital literacy skills.--The term `digital literacy
            skills' has the meaning given the term in section 203.
                ``(74) Evidence-based.--The term `evidence-based', when
            used with respect to an activity, service, strategy, or
            intervention, or content of materials, means an activity,
            service, strategy, or intervention, or content of materials
            that--
                        ``(A) demonstrates a statistically significant
                    effect on improving participant outcomes or other
                    relevant outcomes based on--
                                ``(i) strong evidence from at least 1 well-
                            designed and well-implemented experimental
                            study;
                                ``(ii) moderate evidence from at least 1
                            well-designed and well-implemented quasi-
                            experimental study; or
                                ``(iii) promising evidence from at least 1
                            well-designed and well-implemented
                            correlational study with statistical controls
                            for selection bias; or
                        ``(B)(i) demonstrates a rationale based on high-
                    quality research findings or positive evaluation that
                    such activity, service, strategy, or intervention is
                    likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant
                    outcomes; and
                ``(ii) includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of
            such activity, service, strategy, or intervention.
                ``(75) Labor organization.--The term `labor organization'
            means a labor organization, as defined in section 2(5) of the
            National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), and an
            organization representing public sector employees.
                ``(76) Regular high school diploma.--The term `regular high
            school diploma' has the meaning given the term in section 8101
            of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
            U.S.C. 7801).
                ``(77) Work-based learning.--The term `work-based learning'
            has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
            Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
            2302).
                ``(78) Talent marketplace.--
                        ``(A) Talent marketplace.--The term `talent
                    marketplace' means an array of publicly- and privately-
                    owned platforms supported by interconnected and, where
                    relevant, interoperable and based on open standards,
                    technologies (which may include artificial
                    intelligence) that--
                                ``(i) is made available to the public;
                                ``(ii) is used to match individuals with
                            employment and learning opportunities in a
                            State (or a consortium of States) using
                            information provided by users, including--
                                        ``(I) education and training
                                    providers;
                                        ``(II) employers;
                                        ``(III) jobseekers;
                                        ``(IV) students; and
                                        ``(V) any other individual; and
                                ``(iii) incorporates and allows users
                            access to--
                                        ``(I) the learning and employment
                                    records of users of such marketplace;
                                        ``(II) a credential registry; and
                                        ``(III) a skills profile generator.
                        ``(B) Credential registry.--The term `credential
                    registry' means a process through which a digital
                    portal or repository may be used by education and
                    training providers to make publicly available, and,
                    where relevant, interoperable and based on open
                    standards, a description, using standardized
                    terminology, of the skills, competencies and learning
                    outcomes associated with credentials, including
                    recognized postsecondary credentials.
                        ``(C) Learning and employment record.--The term
                    `learning and employment record' means a digital,
                    machine-readable record of an individual's educational
                    and employment history that--
                                ``(i) contains information that may be self
                            attested and is verified by the employers,
                            persons for whom the individual performed
                            services, and education and training providers
                            of such individual;
                                ``(ii) allows the individual to control
                            such information and use any such information
                            for the purpose of matching such individual
                            with employment and learning opportunities as
                            described in subparagraph (A)(ii); and
                                ``(iii) uses standardized terminology.
                        ``(D) Skills profile generator.--The term `skills
                    profile generator' means a digital tool that can be
                    used to create a skill profile that, using standardized
                    terminology, describes skills gained through, or
                    necessary for--
                                ``(i) employment;
                                ``(ii) hiring; or
                                ``(iii) education.
                        ``(E) Standardized terminology.--The term
                    `standardized terminology' means, in relation to a
                    learning employment record, credential registry, or
                    skills profile generator made available through a
                    talent marketplace, a limited set of terms that is
                    provided through a publicly available, and, where
                    relevant, interoperable and based on open standards,
                    skills framework and used to describe skills,
                    competencies, or learning outcomes in a manner that--
                                ``(i) provides a definition of such skill,
                            competency, or outcome, and identifies the
                            skills framework used for such definition;
                                ``(ii) ensures that identical terms are
                            used to describe substantially similar skills,
                            competencies, or outcomes across such records,
                            registries, and generators in such marketplace;
                            and
                                ``(iii) permits such terms to be
                            effectively used for the purpose of matching
                            individuals with employment and learning
                            opportunities as described in subparagraph
                            (A)(ii).''.
        (r) Redesignations.--Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is further amended by reordering
    paragraphs (1) through (71), as amended by this section, and the
    paragraphs added by subsection (q) of this section in alphabetical
    order, and renumbering such paragraphs as so reordered.

    SEC. 103. TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENTS.

        The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the item relating to section 172 as
            section 175;
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 171,
            the following:

    ``Sec. 172. Reentry employment opportunities.
    ``Sec. 173. Youth apprenticeship readiness grant program.
    ``Sec. 174. Strengthening community colleges workforce development
                                grants program.''; and
                (3) by striking the item relating to section 190 and
            inserting the following:

    ``Sec. 190. Make America Skilled Again grants.''.

                          Subtitle B--System Alignment

                          CHAPTER 1--STATE PROVISIONS

    SEC. 111. STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

        Section 101(d)(3)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
    Act (29 U.S.C. 3112(d)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ``low-skilled
    adults'' and inserting ``adults with foundational skill needs''.

    SEC. 112. UNIFIED STATE PLAN.

        Section 102 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3112) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (C)
                            through (E) as subparagraphs (D) through (F),
                            respectively;
                                (ii) by inserting the following after
                            subparagraph (B):
                        ``(C) a description of--
                                ``(i) how the State will use real-time
                            labor market information to continually assess
                            the economic conditions and workforce trends
                            described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
                                ``(ii) how the State will communicate
                            changes in such conditions or trends to the
                            workforce system in the State;'';
                                (iii) in subparagraph (D), as so
                            redesignated, by inserting ``the extent to
                            which such activities are evidence-based,''
                            after ``of such activities,'';
                                (iv) in subparagraph (E), as so
                            redesignated--
                                        (I) by striking ``and for meeting
                                    the skilled workforce needs of
                                    employers'' and inserting ``and for
                                    preparing workers to meet the skilled
                                    workforce needs of employers and to
                                    enter and remain in unsubsidized
                                    employment''; and
                                        (II) by striking ``and'' at the
                                    end;
                                (v) in subparagraph (F), as so
                            redesignated, by striking the period at the end
                            and inserting a semicolon; and
                                (vi) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(G) a description of activities the State is
                    conducting to expand economic opportunity for
                    individuals and reduce barriers to labor market entry
                    by--
                                ``(i) developing, in cooperation with
                            employers, education and training providers,
                            and other stakeholders, statewide skills-based
                            initiatives that promote the use of
                            demonstrated skills and competencies as an
                            alternative to the exclusive use of degree
                            attainment as a requirement for employment or
                            advancement in a career; and
                                ``(ii) evaluating the existing occupational
                            licensing policies in the State and identifying
                            potential changes to recommend to the
                            appropriate State entity to--
                                        ``(I) remove or streamline
                                    licensing requirements, as appropriate;
                                    and
                                        ``(II) improve the reciprocity of
                                    licensing, including through
                                    participating in interstate licensing
                                    compacts;
                        ``(H) an analysis of the out-of-school youth
                    population in the State, including the estimated number
                    of out-of-school youth and any gaps in services
                    provided to such population by other existing workforce
                    development activities, as identified under
                    subparagraph (D);
                        ``(I) a description of the availability of
                    apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in the
                    State and the providers of such programs, including any
                    that serve youth; and
                        ``(J) a description of any strategies the State
                    will use to prioritize the funding of evidence-based
                    programs through the funds available for statewide
                    workforce development activities described in section
                    128(a).''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (2)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
                            ``including a description'' and inserting
                            ``which may include a description'';
                                (ii) in subparagraph (C)(viii), by striking
                            ``necessary for effective State operating
                            systems and policies'' and inserting ``useful
                            to States to be included in the State plan, on
                            an optional basis'';
                                (iii) in subparagraph (D)(i)--
                                        (I) in subclause (II), by striking
                                    ``any''; and
                                        (II) in subclause (IV), by striking
                                    ``section 121(h)(2)(E)'' and inserting
                                    ``section 121(h)(1)(E)''; and
                                (iv) in subparagraph (E)--
                                        (I) in clause (iv), by striking
                                    ``116(i)'' and inserting ``116(j)'';
                                    and
                                        (II) in clause (x), by striking
                                    ``necessary for the administration of
                                    the core programs'' and inserting
                                    ``useful to States to be included in
                                    the State plan, on an optional basis'';
                                    and
                (2) in subsection (c)(3)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``shall'' the
                    second place it appears and inserting ``may''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) by striking ``required''; and
                                (ii) by inserting ``, except that
                            communicating changes in economic conditions
                            and workforce trends to the workforce system in
                            the State as described in subsection (b)(1)(C)
                            shall not be considered modifications subject
                            to approval under this paragraph'' before the
                            period at the end.

                          CHAPTER 2--LOCAL PROVISIONS

    SEC. 115. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREAS.

        (a) Regions.--Section 106(a) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3121(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
    following:
                ``(3) Review.--Before the second full program year after
            the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America
            Act of 2026, in order for a State to receive an allotment under
            section 127(b) or 132(b) and as part of the process for
            developing the State plan, a State shall--
                        ``(A) review each region in the State identified
                    under this subsection (as such subsection was in effect
                    on the day before the date of enactment of the A
                    Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026); and
                        ``(B) after consultation with the local boards and
                    chief elected officials in the local areas and
                    consistent with the considerations described in
                    subsection (b)(1)(B)--
                                ``(i) revise such region and any other
                            region impacted by such revision; or
                                ``(ii) make a determination to maintain
                            such region with no revision.''.
        (b) Local Areas.--Section 106(b) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3121(b)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection
                    (d), and consistent with paragraphs (2) and (3),'' and
                    inserting ``subsection (d)''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(except for
                    those local areas described in paragraphs (2) and
                    (3))''; and
                (2) by striking paragraphs (2) through (7), and inserting
            the following:
                ``(2) Continuation period.--Except as provided in paragraph
            (5) of this subsection and subsection (d), in order to receive
            an allotment under section 127(b) or 132(b), the Governor shall
            maintain the designations of local areas in the State under
            this subsection (as in effect on the day before the date of
            enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026)
            until the end of the third full program year after the date of
            enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.
                ``(3) Initial alignment review.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Prior to the third full program
                    year after the date of enactment of the A Stronger
                    Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Governor shall--
                                ``(i) review the designations of local
                            areas in the State (as in effect on the day
                            before the date of enactment of the A Stronger
                            Workforce for America Act of 2026); and
                                ``(ii)(I) based on the considerations
                            described in paragraph (1)(B), issue proposed
                            redesignations of local areas in the State
                            through the process described in paragraph
                            (1)(A), which shall--
                                        ``(aa) include an explanation of
                                    the strategic goals and objectives that
                                    the State intends to achieve through
                                    such redesignations; and
                                        ``(bb) be subject to the approval
                                    of the chief elected officials of the
                                    local areas in the State in accordance
                                    with the process described in
                                    subparagraph (C); or
                                ``(II) with respect to a State described in
                            subsection (d)(2)(B), if the Governor
                            determines that such State should be designated
                            as a single State local area, conduct a process
                            in accordance with the requirements of
                            subsection (d)(2).
                        ``(B) Designation of local areas.--A redesignation
                    of local areas in a State that is approved by a
                    majority of the chief elected officials of the local
                    areas in the State through the process described in
                    subparagraph (C) shall take effect on the first day of
                    the 4th full program year after the date of enactment
                    of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.
                        ``(C) Process to reach majority approval.--To
                    approve a designation of local areas in the State, the
                    chief elected officials of the local areas in the State
                    shall comply with the following:
                                ``(i) Initial vote.--Not later than 60 days
                            after the Governor issues proposed
                            redesignations under subparagraph (A), the
                            chief elected official of each local area shall
                            review the proposed redesignations and submit a
                            vote to the Governor either approving or
                            rejecting the proposed redesignations.
                                ``(ii) Results of initial vote.--If a
                            majority of the chief elected officials of the
                            local areas in the State vote under clause
                            (i)--
                                        ``(I) to approve such proposed
                                    redesignations, such redesignations
                                    shall take effect in accordance with
                                    subparagraph (B); or
                                        ``(II) to disapprove such proposed
                                    redesignations, the chief elected
                                    officials of the local areas in the
                                    State shall comply with the
                                    requirements of clause (iii).
                                ``(iii) Alternate redesignations.--In the
                            case of the disapproval described in clause
                            (ii)(II), not later than 120 days after the
                            Governor issues proposed redesignations under
                            subparagraph (A), the chief elected officials
                            of the local areas in the State shall--
                                        ``(I) select 2 alternate
                                    redesignations of local areas--
                                                ``(aa) one of which aligns
                                            with the regional economic
                                            development areas in the State;
                                            and
                                                ``(bb) one of which aligns
                                            with the regions described in
                                            subparagraph (A) or (B) of
                                            subsection (a)(2); and
                                        ``(II) conduct a vote to approve,
                                    by majority vote, 1 of the 2 alternate
                                    redesignations described in subclause
                                    (I).
                                ``(iv) Effective date of alternate
                            designations.--The alternate redesignations
                            approved pursuant to clause (iii)(II) shall
                            take effect in accordance with subparagraph
                            (B).
                ``(4) Subsequent alignment reviews.--On the date that is
            the first day of the 12th full program year after the date of
            enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026,
            and every 8 years thereafter, the Governor shall--
                        ``(A) review the designation of local areas; and
                        ``(B) carry out the requirements of paragraph
                    (3)(A)(ii), except that any redesignation of local
                    areas in a State that is approved by a majority of the
                    chief elected officials of the local areas in the State
                    through the process described in paragraph (3)(C) shall
                    take effect on the first day of the next full program
                    year after the Governor's review pursuant to this
                    paragraph.
                ``(5) Interim revisions.--
                        ``(A) Approval of certain redesignation requests.--
                                ``(i) In general.--At any time, and
                            notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs
                            (2), (3), and (4), the Governor, upon receipt
                            of a request for a redesignation of a local
                            area described in clause (ii), may approve such
                            request.
                                ``(ii) Requests.--The following requests
                            may be approved pursuant to clause (i) upon
                            request:
                                        ``(I) A request from multiple local
                                    areas to be redesignated as a single
                                    local area.
                                        ``(II) A request from multiple
                                    local areas for a revision to the
                                    designations of such local areas, which
                                    would not impact the designations of
                                    local areas that have not made such
                                    request.
                                        ``(III) A request for designation
                                    as a local area from an area described
                                    in section 107(c)(1)(C).
                        ``(B) Other redesignations.--Other than the
                    redesignations described in subparagraph (A), the
                    Governor may only redesignate a local area outside of
                    the process described in paragraphs (3) and (4), if the
                    local area that will be subject to such redesignation
                    has not--
                                ``(i) performed successfully;
                                ``(ii) sustained fiscal integrity; or
                                ``(iii) in the case of a local area in any
                            planning region described in subparagraph (B)
                            or (C) of subsection (a)(2), met the
                            requirements described in subsection (c)(1).
                        ``(C) Effective date.--Any redesignation of a local
                    area approved by the Governor under subparagraph (A) or
                    (B) shall take effect on the first date of the first
                    full program year after such date of approval.
                ``(6) Appeals.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The chief elected official of a
                    local area that is subject to a redesignation of such
                    local area under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) may submit
                    an appeal to maintain its existing designation to the
                    State board under an appeal process established in the
                    State plan as specified in section
                    102(b)(2)(D)(i)(III).
                        ``(B) State board requirements.--The State board
                    shall grant an appeal to maintain an existing
                    designation of a local area described in subparagraph
                    (A) only if the local board of the local area can
                    demonstrate that the process for redesignation of such
                    local area under paragraph (3), (4), or (5), as
                    applicable, has not been followed.
                        ``(C) Secretarial requirements.--If a request to
                    maintain an existing designation as a local area is not
                    granted as a result of such appeal, the Secretary,
                    after receiving a request for review from the local
                    board of such local area and determining that the local
                    board was not accorded procedural rights under the
                    appeals process referred to in subparagraph (A),
                    shall--
                                ``(i) review the process for the
                            redesignation of the local area under paragraph
                            (3), (4), or (5), as applicable; and
                                ``(ii) upon determining that the applicable
                            process has not been followed, require that the
                            local area's existing designation be
                            maintained.
                ``(7) Redesignation incentive.--The State may provide
            funding from funds made available under sections 128(a)(1) and
            133(a)(1) to provide payments to incentivize--
                        ``(A) groups of local areas to request to be
                    redesignated as a single local area under paragraph
                    (5)(A); or
                        ``(B) multiple local boards in a planning region to
                    develop an agreement to operate as a regional
                    consortium under subsection (c)(3).''.
        (c) Regional Coordination.--Section 106(c) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3121(c)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (H)
                    as subparagraphs (G) through (I), respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting the following after subparagraph
                    (E):
                        ``(F) the establishment of cost arrangements for
                    services described in subsections (c) and (d) of
                    section 134, including the pooling of funds for such
                    services, as appropriate, for the region;'';
                (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including to assist
            with establishing administrative costs arrangements or cost
            arrangements for services under subparagraphs (F) and (G) of
            such paragraph'' after ``delivery efforts'';
                (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
                (4) by inserting after paragraph (2), as so amended, the
            following:
                ``(3) Regional consortiums.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The local boards and chief
                    elected officials of any local area in any planning
                    region described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of
                    subsection (a)(2) may develop an agreement to receive
                    funding under section 128(b) and section 133(b) as a
                    single consortium for the planning region.
                        ``(B) Consortium agreements.--If the local boards
                    and chief elected officials develop such an agreement--
                                ``(i) one of the chief elected officials in
                            the planning region shall designate the fiscal
                            agent for the consortium;
                                ``(ii) the local boards shall develop a
                            memorandum of understanding to jointly
                            administer the activities for the consortium;
                            and
                                ``(iii) the required activities for local
                            areas under this Act (including the required
                            functions of the local boards described in
                            section 107(d)) shall apply to such a
                            consortium as a whole and may not be applied
                            separately or differently to the local areas or
                            local boards within such consortium.''.
        (d) Single State Local Areas.--Section 106(d) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3121(d)) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
                (2) by inserting after paragraph (1), the following:
                ``(2) New designation.--
                        ``(A) Process.--If, upon a review described in
                    paragraph (3)(A) or (4)(B) of subsection (b) of a State
                    described in subparagraph (B)of this paragraph, the
                    Governor of such State determines, after consultation
                    with the State board, that such State should be
                    designated as a single State local area--
                                ``(i) the Governor shall propose to the
                            legislature of the State to designate such
                            State as a single State local area;
                                ``(ii) in a case in which the majority of
                            the legislature of the State consents to the
                            Governor's proposed designation--
                                        ``(I) such designation shall take
                                    effect in accordance with subparagraph
                                    (C); and
                                        ``(II) the Governor shall identify
                                    the State as a local area in the State
                                    plan; and
                                ``(iii) in a case in which in which the
                            majority of the legislature of the State does
                            not so consent to the Governor's proposed
                            designation, the designations of the local
                            areas in the State shall be maintained and
                            shall be subject to the requirements of
                            subsection (b)(4).
                        ``(B) State described.--A State described in this
                    subparagraph is a State that--
                                ``(i) has not been designated as a single
                            State local area under paragraph (1); and
                                ``(ii)(I) has a population of less than
                            5,100,000, as determined by the last decennial
                            census preceding such designation; or
                                ``(II) contains 5 or fewer local areas.
                        ``(C) Effective date.--Notwithstanding subsection
                    (b)(2), a designation described in paragraph (A) shall
                    take effect on the later of--
                                ``(i) the first day of the third full
                            program year after the date of enactment of the
                            A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026;
                            or
                                ``(ii) the first day of the first full
                            program year following the date on which the
                            Governor so designates the State as a single
                            State local area.
                        ``(D) Reestablishment of local areas.--
                                ``(i) In general.--At the end of the 5-year
                            period beginning on the date on which a State
                            is designated as a single State local area
                            under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
                            notify the Governor of such State if, during
                            such 5-year period, the average of the overall
                            State program scores (as referred to in section
                            116(f)(2)) across the adult and dislocated
                            worker programs and youth programs authorized
                            under chapters 2 and 3 of subtitle B are lower
                            than the average of the State overall program
                            scores across such programs during the 5-year
                            period for such period ending on the date prior
                            the date on which such State was so designated.
                                ``(ii) Determination after notice.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--If, after
                                    receiving the notice described in
                                    clause (i) with respect to a State, the
                                    Governor determines--
                                                ``(aa) that the designation
                                            of the State as a single State
                                            local area should be
                                            maintained, the Governor shall
                                            comply with subclause (II) or
                                            (III), as appropriate; or
                                                ``(bb) that such
                                            designation should not be so
                                            maintained, the Governor shall
                                            reestablish the local areas
                                            that comprised the State prior
                                            to the designation of the State
                                            as a single State local area
                                            under subparagraph (A), and
                                            such reestablishment shall take
                                            effect on the first day of the
                                            first full program year after
                                            the Governor receives such
                                            notice.
                                        ``(II) Requirements for maintaining
                                    designation.--A designation described
                                    in subclause (I)(aa) with respect to a
                                    State may only be so maintained if the
                                    Governor--
                                                ``(aa) not later than 180
                                            days after the date on which
                                            Governor receives the notice
                                            described in clause (i), issues
                                            a public notice of the
                                            determination by the Governor
                                            that the designation of such
                                            State as a single State local
                                            area should be maintained; and
                                                ``(bb) not later than 1
                                            year after the date on which
                                            the Governor issues such public
                                            notice, the Governor receives
                                            the consent of a majority of
                                            the legislature of the State to
                                            so maintain the designation.
                                        ``(III) Failure to meet
                                    requirements.--If the Governor fails to
                                    comply with each of the requirements of
                                    subclause (II) with respect to a
                                    State--
                                                ``(aa) a designation
                                            described in subclause (I)(aa)
                                            for such State may not be so
                                            maintained; and
                                                ``(bb) the Governor shall
                                            reestablish the local areas
                                            that comprised the State prior
                                            to the designation of the State
                                            as a single State local area
                                            under subparagraph (A), and
                                            such reestablishment shall take
                                            effect on the first full
                                            program year after the date
                                            that is 1 year after the date
                                            on which the Governor issues
                                            the public notice described in
                                            subclause (II)(aa) with respect
                                            to the State.''.
        (e) Definition of Performed Successfully.--Section 106(e)(1) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3121(e)) is amended
    to read as follows:
                ``(1) Performed successfully.--The term `performed
            successfully', used with respect to a local area, means the
            local area is not subject to corrective action as described in
            section 116(g)(2) on the local performance accountability
            measures for the most recent year for which data are available
            preceding the determination of performance under this
            paragraph.''.

    SEC. 116. LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS.

        (a) Membership.--Section 107(b) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3122(b)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``20'' and
                    inserting ``30''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                                (i) in clause (i), by inserting after
                            ``title II'' the following: ``(such as
                            corrections education programs under such
                            title)'';
                                (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting after
                            ``community colleges'' the following: ``and, as
                            applicable, other institutions of higher
                            education''; and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(iv) may include faculty and staff
                            members working directly with students in
                            providing workforce investment activities
                            through education or training programs that
                            support an industry cluster.''; and
                (2) in paragraph (4)(A)--
                        (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``include'' and all
                    that follows through the period at the end and
                    inserting the following: ``include--
                                        ``(I) representatives from
                                    community-based organizations and other
                                    representatives with professional
                                    expertise in youth workforce
                                    development programs and with a
                                    demonstrated record of success in
                                    serving eligible youth;
                                        ``(II) out-of-school youth,
                                    including youth who are individuals
                                    with disabilities;
                                        ``(III) at least 1 representative
                                    of a public or nonprofit agency that
                                    serves youth, including juvenile
                                    justice and child welfare agencies, and
                                    at least 1 representative of a local
                                    public housing authority;
                                        ``(IV) for a local area in which a
                                    Job Corps campus (as such term is
                                    defined in section 142) is located, at
                                    least 1 representative of that campus;
                                    and
                                        ``(V) for a local area in which a
                                    YouthBuild program (as such term is
                                    defined in section 171(b)) is carried
                                    out, at least 1 representative of such
                                    program.''; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(iv) A standing committee to provide
                            information and to assist with planning,
                            operational, and other issues relating to the
                            engagement of representatives of the workforce
                            in the local area, which--
                                        ``(I) shall include at least 1
                                    representative of local labor
                                    organizations or joint labor-management
                                    organizations, including at least 1
                                    representative of either of such
                                    organizations with special interest or
                                    expertise in youth workforce readiness
                                    or apprenticeship and pre-
                                    apprenticeship programs that serve
                                    youth; and
                                        ``(II) may include, in a local area
                                    with a significant number of dislocated
                                    workers (as determined by the local
                                    board), at least 1 representative with
                                    special interest or expertise in
                                    providing supports for finding
                                    education, training, and employment
                                    opportunities for dislocated workers.
                                ``(v) A standing committee to provide
                            information and to assist with planning,
                            operational, and other issues relating to the
                            engagement of educational entities in the local
                            area, which shall include, at a minimum--
                                        ``(I) at least 1 representative of
                                    a local educational agency that serves
                                    students residing in such local area;
                                        ``(II) at least 1 representative of
                                    institutions of higher education in the
                                    local area, including community
                                    colleges in the local area; and
                                        ``(III) at least 1 representative
                                    of entities administering education and
                                    training activities, including career
                                    and technical education programs or
                                    after- school and summer learning
                                    programs, in the local area.
                                ``(vi) A standing committee to provide
                            information and to assist with planning,
                            operational, and other issues relating to the
                            provision of services to offenders, including
                            pre-release education, training, and career
                            services for such individuals, which shall
                            include--
                                        ``(I) at least 1 offender; and
                                        ``(II) representatives from
                                    community-based organizations with
                                    special interest or expertise in
                                    reentry services for incarcerated
                                    individuals and ex-offenders, including
                                    at least 1 representative of an
                                    organization that is a recipient of a
                                    grant under section 172.''.
        (b) Functions of Local Board.--Section 107(d) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3122(d)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``section
            108(b)(1)(D)'' and inserting ``108(b)(1)(E)'';
                (2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, including, to the
            extent practicable, local representatives of the core programs
            and the programs described in section 121(b)(1)(B),'' after
            ``system stakeholders'';
                (3) in paragraph (4)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and
                    industry and sector partnerships'' after
                    ``intermediaries'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, local
                    educational agencies, community colleges and other
                    institutions of higher education'' after ``economic
                    development entities''; and
                        (C) in subparagraph (D)--
                                (i) by striking ``proven'' and inserting
                            ``evidence-based'';
                                (ii) by inserting ``individual'' after
                            ``needs of''; and
                                (iii) by inserting ``from a variety of
                            industries and occupations'' after ``and
                            employers'';
                (4) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``and which, to the
            extent practicable, shall be aligned with career and technical
            education programs of study (as defined in section 3 of the
            Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20
            U.S.C. 2302(3)) offered within the local area'' before the
            period at the end;
                (5) in paragraph (6)--
                        (A) in the heading, by striking ``PROVEN'' and
                    inserting ``EVIDENCE-BASED'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                                (i) by striking ``proven'' and inserting
                            ``evidence-based'';
                                (ii) by inserting ``and covered veterans
                            (as defined in section 4212(a)(3)(A) of title
                            38, United States Code)'' after ``employment'';
                            and
                                (iii) by inserting ``, and give priority to
                            covered persons in accordance with section 4215
                            of title 38, United States Code'' after
                            ``delivery system''; and
                        (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``proven'' and
                    inserting ``evidence-based'';
                (6) in paragraph (10)(C)--
                        (A) by inserting ``, on the State eligible training
                    provider list,'' after ``identify''; and
                        (B) by inserting ``that operate in or are
                    accessible to individuals'' after ``training
                    services''; and
                (7) in paragraph (12)(A), by striking ``activities'' and
            inserting ``funds allocated to the local area under section
            128(b) and section 133(b) for the youth workforce development
            activities described in section 129 and local employment and
            training activities described in section 134(b), and the
            activities''.
        (c) Limitations.--Section 107(g)(1)(D) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3122(g)(1)(D)) is amended by striking
    ``needed or'' and inserting the following: ``, that the local board is
    failing to meet the requirements for eligible providers of training
    services under section 122, or''.

    SEC. 117. LOCAL PLAN.

        Section 108 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3123) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) by striking ``section 102(b)(1)(E)'' and
                    inserting ``section 102(b)(1)(F)''; and
                        (B) by striking ``shall prepare'' and inserting
                    ``may prepare''; and
                (2) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (D),
                            (E), and (F) as subparagraphs (E), (F), and
                            (H), respectively;
                                (ii) by inserting the following after
                            subparagraph (C):
                        ``(D) a description of--
                                ``(i) how the local board will use real-
                            time labor market information to continually
                            assess the economic conditions and workforce
                            trends described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and
                            (C); and
                                ``(ii) how changes in such conditions or
                            trends will be communicated to jobseekers,
                            education and training providers, and employers
                            in the local area;'';
                                (iii) in subparagraph (F), as so
                            redesignated, by striking ``and'' at the end;
                            and
                                (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (F),
                            as so redesignated, the following:
                        ``(G) an analysis, which may be conducted in
                    coordination with the State, of the out-of-school youth
                    population in the local area including the estimated
                    number of such youth and any gaps in services for such
                    population from other existing workforce development
                    activities, as identified under paragraph (9), and a
                    description of how the local board will address any
                    such gaps in services identified in such analysis;
                    and'';
                        (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section
                    102(b)(1)(E)'' and inserting ``section 102(b)(1)(F);
                        (C) in paragraph (4)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                        (I) by striking ``and'' at the end
                                    of clause (iii); and
                                        (II) by adding at the end the
                                    following:
                                ``(v) carry out any statewide skills-based
                            initiatives identified in the State plan that
                            promote the use of demonstrated skills and
                            competencies as an alternative to the exclusive
                            use of degree attainment as a requirement for
                            employment or advancement in a career; and'';
                            and
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
                            ``customized training'' and inserting
                            ``employer-directed skills development'';
                        (D) in paragraph (6)(B), by inserting ``, such as
                    the use of affiliated sites'' after ``means'';
                        (E) in paragraph (9)--
                                (i) by striking ``including activities''
                            and inserting the following: ``including--
                        ``(A) the availability of community based
                    organizations that serve youth primarily during
                    nonschool time hours to carry out activities under
                    section 129;
                        ``(B) activities'';
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B), as so
                            redesignated--
                                        (I) by inserting ``or evidence-
                                    based'' after ``successful''; and
                                        (II) by adding ``and'' at the end;
                                    and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(C) the availability of preapprenticeship and
                    apprenticeship programs serving youth;'';
                        (F) in paragraph (12), by inserting ``including as
                    described in section 134(c)(2),'' after ``system,'';
                    and
                        (G) in paragraph (13), by inserting before the
                    semicolon at the end the following: ``, and encourage
                    eligible youth who are enrolled in adult education and
                    literacy activities under title II to co-enroll in
                    youth workforce investment activities carried out by
                    the local board, as appropriate''.

                     CHAPTER 3--PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY

    SEC. 119. PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.

        (a) State Performance Accountability Measures.--
                (1) Primary indicators of performance.--Section
            116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
            (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)) is amended--
                        (A) in clause (i)--
                                (i) in subclause (II)--
                                        (I) by striking ``fourth'' and
                                    inserting ``second''; and
                                        (II) by inserting ``and remain in
                                    unsubsidized employment during the
                                    fourth quarter after exit from the
                                    program'' after ``the program'';
                                (ii) in subclause (IV), by striking
                            ``secondary school diploma'' and inserting
                            ``regular high school diploma'';
                                (iii) in subclause (V)--
                                        (I) by striking ``, during a
                                    program year,'';
                                        (II) by striking ``are in'' and
                                    inserting ``enter into''; and
                                        (III) by inserting before the
                                    semicolon at the end the following:
                                    ``within 12 months after the quarter in
                                    which the participant enters into the
                                    education and training program''; and
                                (iv) by amending subclause (VI) to read as
                            follows:
                                        ``(VI) of the program participants
                                    who received training services during a
                                    program year, the percentage of such
                                    program participants who participated
                                    in on-the-job training, employer-
                                    directed skills development, incumbent
                                    worker training, or an
                                    apprenticeship.'';
                        (B) in clause (ii)--
                                (i) in subclause (II)--
                                        (I) by striking ``fourth'' and
                                    inserting ``second'';
                                        (II) by inserting ``, and who
                                    remain either in such activities or
                                    unsubsidized employment during the
                                    fourth quarter after exit from the
                                    program'' after ``the program''; and
                                        (III) by striking ``and'' at the
                                    end;
                                (ii) in subclause (III)--
                                        (I) by striking ``(VI)'' and
                                    inserting ``(V)''; and
                                        (II) by striking the period at the
                                    end and inserting ``; and''; and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                        ``(IV) of the program participants
                                    who exited the program during a program
                                    year, the percentage of such program
                                    participants who completed, prior to
                                    such exit, a work experience as
                                    described in section 129(c)(2)(C).'';
                                    and
                        (C) in clause (iii), by striking ``secondary school
                    diploma'' and inserting ``regular high school
                    diploma''; and
                        (D) by striking clause (iv).
                (2) Levels of performance.--Section 116(b)(3)(A) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
            3141(b)(3)(A)) is amended--
                        (A) by amending clause (iii) to read as follows:
                                ``(iii) Identification in state plan.--
                                        ``(I) Secretaries.--For each State
                                    submitting a State plan, the Secretary
                                    of Labor shall, not later than January
                                    15 of the year in which such State plan
                                    is submitted, for the first 2 program
                                    years covered by the State plan, and
                                    not later than January 15 of the second
                                    program year covered by the State plan,
                                    for the third and fourth program years
                                    covered by the State plan--
                                                ``(aa) propose to the State
                                            expected levels of performance,
                                            for each of the corresponding
                                            primary indicators of
                                            performance for each of the
                                            programs described in clause
                                            (ii) for such State, which
                                            shall--

                                                        ``(AA) be
                                                    consistent with the
                                                    factors listed in
                                                    clause (v); and

                                                        ``(BB) be proposed
                                                    in a manner that
                                                    ensures sufficient time
                                                    is provided for the
                                                    State to evaluate and
                                                    respond to such
                                                    proposals; and

                                                ``(bb) publish, on a public
                                            website of the Department of
                                            Labor, the statistical model
                                            developed under clause (viii)
                                            and the methodology used to
                                            develop each such expected
                                            level of performance.
                                        ``(II) States.--Each State shall--
                                                ``(aa) evaluate each of the
                                            expected levels of performance
                                            proposed under subclause (I)
                                            with respect to such State;
                                                ``(bb) based on such
                                            evaluation of each such
                                            expected level of performance--

                                                        ``(AA) accept the
                                                    expected level of
                                                    performance as so
                                                    proposed; or

                                                        ``(BB) provide a
                                                    counterproposal for
                                                    such expected level of
                                                    performance, including
                                                    an analysis of how the
                                                    counterproposal
                                                    addresses factors or
                                                    circumstances unique to
                                                    the State that may not
                                                    have been accounted for
                                                    in the expected level
                                                    of performance; and

                                                ``(cc) include in the State
                                            plan, with respect to each of
                                            the corresponding primary
                                            indicators of performance for
                                            each of the programs described
                                            in clause (ii) for such State--

                                                        ``(AA) the expected
                                                    level of performance
                                                    proposed under
                                                    subclause (I);

                                                        ``(BB) the
                                                    counterproposal for
                                                    such proposed level, if
                                                    any; and

                                                        ``(CC) the level of
                                                    performance that is
                                                    agreed to under clause
                                                    (iv).'';

                        (B) in clause (iv)--
                                (i) in subclause (I)--
                                        (I) in the second sentence, by
                                    striking ``the levels identified in the
                                    State plan under clause (iii) and the
                                    factors described in clause (v)'' and
                                    inserting ``the factors described in
                                    clause (v) and any counterproposal, and
                                    the analysis provided by the State with
                                    such counterproposal, described in
                                    clause (iii)(II)(bb)(BB)''; and
                                        (II) in the third sentence, by
                                    striking ``incorporated into the State
                                    plan'' and inserting ``included in the
                                    State plan, as described in clause
                                    (iii)(II)(cc),''; and
                                (ii) in subclause (II)--
                                        (I) in the second sentence, by
                                    striking ``the factors described in
                                    clause (v)'' and inserting ``the
                                    factors described in clause (v) and any
                                    counterproposal, and the analysis
                                    provided by the State with such
                                    counterproposal, described in clause
                                    (iii)(II)(bb)(BB)''; and
                                        (II) in the third sentence, by
                                    striking ``incorporated into the State
                                    plan'' and inserting ``included in the
                                    State plan, as described in clause
                                    (iii)(II)(cc),''; and
                        (C) in clause (v)(II)--
                                (i) in the matter preceding item (aa), by
                            striking ``based on'' and inserting ``based on
                            each consideration that is found to be
                            predictive of performance on an indicator for a
                            program and consists of''; and
                                (ii) in item (bb)--
                                        (I) by striking ``including'' and
                                    inserting ``such as''; and
                                        (II) by striking ``and welfare
                                    dependency'' and inserting ``school
                                    status, education level, highest grade
                                    level completed, low-income status, and
                                    receipt of public assistance''.
        (b) Performance Reports.--Section 116(d) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(d)) is amended--
                (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
                ``(1) In general.--
                        ``(A) Templates for performance reports.--Not later
                    than 24 months after the date of enactment of the A
                    Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the
                    Secretary of Labor shall develop, or review and modify,
                    as appropriate, to comply with the requirements of this
                    subsection, the templates for performance reports that
                    shall be used by States (including by States on behalf
                    of eligible providers of training services under
                    section 122) and local areas to produce a report on
                    outcomes achieved by the core programs. In developing,
                    or reviewing and modifying, such templates, the
                    Secretary of Labor shall take into account the need to
                    maximize the value of the templates for workers,
                    jobseekers, employers, local elected officials, State
                    officials, Federal policymakers, and other key
                    stakeholders.
                        ``(B) Standardized reporting.--In developing, or
                    reviewing and modifying, the templates under
                    subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Labor shall ensure
                    that States and local areas, in producing performance
                    reports for core programs and eligible providers of
                    training services, collect and report information on
                    common data elements--
                                ``(i) in a comparable and uniform format;
                            and
                                ``(ii) using terms that are assigned
                            identical meanings across all such reports.
                        ``(C) Additional reporting.--The Secretary of
                    Labor--
                                ``(i) in addition to the information on the
                            common data elements, may require additional
                            information with respect to any core program as
                            necessary for effective reporting; and
                                ``(ii) shall periodically review any such
                            requirement for additional information to
                            ensure the requirement is necessary and does
                            not impose an undue reporting burden.
                        ``(D) Privacy.--The Secretary of Labor shall ensure
                    subparagraph (B) is carried out in a manner that
                    protects and promotes individual privacy and data
                    security, in accordance with applicable Federal privacy
                    laws.
                        ``(E) Access to wage records.--
                                ``(i) Access.--A State may facilitate for a
                            local area that meets the requirements of
                            clause (ii), for the sole purpose of fulfilling
                            the reporting requirements under this
                            subsection, access to the quarterly wage
                            records (excluding such records made available
                            by any other State) of program participants in
                            the local area.
                                ``(ii) Privacy protections.--To receive
                            access to such quarterly wage records, the
                            local area shall have demonstrated to the State
                            the ability to comply, and agree to comply,
                            with all applicable Federal and State
                            requirements relating to the access and use of
                            such quarterly wage records, including
                            requirements relating to data privacy and
                            cybersecurity.'';
                (2) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, and
                    aggregated to compare those levels of performance for
                    all individuals with barriers to employment with those
                    levels of performance for all other individuals''
                    before the semicolon at the end;
                        (B) in subparagraphs (D) and (F), by striking
                    ``career and training services, respectively'' and
                    inserting ``career services, training services, and
                    supportive services, respectively'';
                        (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (J) through (L)
                    as subparagraphs (K) through (M), respectively and
                    inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
                        ``(J) the median earnings gain of participants who
                    received training services, calculated as the median
                    value of the difference between--
                                ``(i) participant earnings in unsubsidized
                            employment during the 4 quarters after program
                            exit; and
                                ``(ii) participant earnings in the 4
                            quarters prior to entering the program;''; and
                        (D) in subparagraph (L), as so redesignated--
                                (i) by striking clause (ii); and
                                (ii) by striking ``strategies for
                            programs'' and all that follows through ``the
                            performance'', and inserting ``strategies for
                            programs, the performance'';
                (3) in paragraph (3)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(L)'' and
                    inserting ``(M)'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
                    end;
                        (C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
                    subparagraph (F); and
                        (D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
                    following:
                        ``(C) the percentage of the local area's allocation
                    under section 133(b) that the local area spent on
                    services paid for through an individual training
                    account described in section 134(c)(3)(F)(iii) or a
                    training contract described in section
                    134(c)(3)(G)(ii);
                        ``(D) the percentage of the local area's allocation
                    under section 133(b) that the local area spent on
                    supportive services;
                        ``(E) the percentage of the local area's allocation
                    under section 133(b), if any, that is spent on
                    incumbent worker training, disaggregated by whether the
                    amount so spent was spent on the provision of incumbent
                    worker training through contracts or through incumbent
                    worker upskilling accounts described in section
                    134(d)(4)(E); and'';
                (4) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
                ``(4) Contents of eligible training providers performance
            report.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The State shall use the
                    information submitted by the eligible providers of
                    training services under section 122 and administrative
                    records, including quarterly wage records, of the
                    participants of the programs offered by the providers
                    to produce a performance report on the eligible
                    providers of training services in the State, which
                    shall include, subject to paragraph (6)(C)--
                                ``(i) with respect to each program of study
                            (or the equivalent) of a provider on the list
                            described in section 122(d)--
                                        ``(I) information specifying the
                                    levels of performance achieved with
                                    respect to the primary indicators of
                                    performance described in subclauses (I)
                                    through (IV) of subsection (b)(2)(A)(i)
                                    with respect to all individuals
                                    engaging in the program of study (or
                                    the equivalent); and
                                        ``(II) the total number of
                                    individuals exiting from the program of
                                    study (or the equivalent),
                                    disaggregated by whether such
                                    individuals completed the program of
                                    study (or equivalent); and
                                ``(ii) with respect to all eligible
                            providers of training services under section
                            122--
                                        ``(I) the total number of
                                    participants who received training
                                    services through each adult and
                                    dislocated worker program authorized
                                    under chapter 3 of subtitle B,
                                    disaggregated by the type of entity
                                    that provided the training services,
                                    during the most recent program year and
                                    the 3 preceding program years;
                                        ``(II) the total number of
                                    participants who exited from training
                                    services, disaggregated by the type of
                                    entity that provided the training
                                    services, and by whether such
                                    participants completed the training
                                    services, during the most recent
                                    program year and the 3 preceding
                                    program years;
                                        ``(III) the average cost per
                                    participant for the participants who
                                    received training services,
                                    disaggregated by the type of entity
                                    that provided the training, during the
                                    most recent program year and the 3
                                    preceding program years;
                                        ``(IV) the average of the per-
                                    program ratios of median earnings
                                    increase for a participant to the total
                                    cost of the provider's program, as
                                    described in section
                                    122(b)(5)(B)(i)(III) for the
                                    participant; and
                                        ``(V) the number of individuals
                                    with barriers to employment served by
                                    each adult and dislocated worker
                                    program authorized under chapter 3 of
                                    subtitle B, disaggregated by each
                                    subpopulation of such individuals, and
                                    by race, ethnicity, sex, and age; and
                                ``(iii) to the extent practicable, with
                            respect to each recognized postsecondary
                            credential on the list of credentials awarded
                            by eligible providers in the State described in
                            section 122(d)(2)--
                                        ``(I) information specifying the
                                    levels of performance achieved with
                                    respect to the primary indicators of
                                    performance described in subclauses (I)
                                    through (IV) of subsection (b)(2)(A)(i)
                                    for all participants in the State
                                    receiving such credential; and
                                        ``(II) information specifying the
                                    levels of performance achieved with
                                    respect to the primary indicators of
                                    performance described in subclauses (I)
                                    through (IV) of subsection (b)(2)(A)(i)
                                    for participants in the State receiving
                                    such credential who are individuals
                                    with barriers to employment,
                                    disaggregated by each subpopulation of
                                    such individuals, and by race,
                                    ethnicity, sex, and age.''; and
                (5) in paragraph (6)--
                        (A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
                    follows:
                        ``(A) State performance reports.--The Secretary of
                    Labor shall annually make available the performance
                    reports for States containing the information described
                    in paragraph (2), which shall include making such
                    reports available--
                                ``(i) digitally using transparent, linked,
                            open, machine readable, and interoperable data
                            formats that are human readable and machine
                            actionable such that the data from these
                            reports--
                                        ``(I) are easily understandable;
                                    and
                                        ``(II) can be easily included in
                                    web-based tools and services supporting
                                    search, discovery, comparison,
                                    analysis, navigation, and guidance;
                                ``(ii) in a printable format; and
                                ``(iii) in multiple languages, to the
                            extent practicable.'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) by striking ``(including by electronic
                            means), in an easily understandable format,'';
                            and
                                (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``The Secretary of Labor shall include, on the
                            website where the State performance reports are
                            required under subparagraph (A) to be made
                            available, a link to local area performance
                            reports and the eligible provider of training
                            services report for each State. Such reports
                            shall be made available in each of the formats
                            described in subparagraph (A).''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(E) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
                    subsection shall be construed to require the
                    retroactive collection of information, from program
                    years prior to the effective date described in section
                    502(a)(1) of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act
                    of 2026, that was not required under this subsection
                    prior to that effective date.''.
        (c) Evaluation of State Programs.--Section 116(e) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(e)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``shall
                    conduct ongoing'' and inserting ``shall use data to
                    conduct analyses and ongoing''; and
                        (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``conduct
                    the'' and inserting ``conduct such analyses and''; and
                (2) in paragraph (2), by adding ``A State may use various
            forms of analysis, such as machine learning or other advanced
            analytics, to improve program operations and outcomes and to
            identify areas for further evaluation.'' at the end.
        (d) Sanctions for State Failure To Meet State Performance
    Accountability Measures.--Section 116(f) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(f)) is amended to read as follows:
        ``(f) Sanctions for State Failure To Meet State Performance
    Accountability Measures.--
                ``(1) Targeted support and assistance.--
                        ``(A) In general.--If a State fails to meet 80
                    percent of the State adjusted level of performance for
                    an indicator described in subsection (b)(2)(A)
                    (referred to in the regulations carrying out this
                    section as an `individual indicator score') for a core
                    program for any program year, the Secretary of Labor
                    shall provide technical assistance.
                        ``(B) Sanctions.--
                                ``(i) In general.--If the State fails in
                            the manner described in subclause (I) or (II)
                            of clause (ii) with respect to the program year
                            specified in that subclause, the percentage of
                            each amount that could (in the absence of this
                            subsection) be reserved by the Governor under
                            section 128(a)(1) for the immediately
                            succeeding program year shall be reduced by 5
                            percent and an amount equivalent to the amount
                            reduced shall be returned to the Secretary of
                            Labor until such date as the Secretary of Labor
                            determines that the State meets the State
                            adjusted level of performance, in the case of a
                            failure described in clause (ii)(II), or has
                            submitted the reports for the appropriate
                            program years, in the case of a failure
                            described in clause (ii)(I).
                                ``(ii) Failures.--A State shall be subject
                            to clause (i)--
                                        ``(I) if (except in the case of
                                    exceptional circumstances as determined
                                    by the Secretary of Labor), such State
                                    fails to submit a report under
                                    subsection (d) for any program year; or
                                        ``(II) for a failure under
                                    subparagraph (A) that has continued for
                                    a second consecutive program year.
                ``(2) Comprehensive support and assistance.--
                        ``(A) In general.--If a State fails to meet an
                    average of 90 percent of the State adjusted levels of
                    performance for a single core program across all
                    indicators of performance (referred to in the
                    regulations carrying out this section as an `overall
                    State program score') for any program year, or if a
                    State fails to meet an average of 90 percent of the
                    State adjusted levels of performance for a single
                    indicator of performance across all core programs
                    (referred to in the regulations carrying out this
                    section as an `overall State indicator score') for any
                    program year, the Secretary of Labor shall provide
                    technical assistance, as described and authorized under
                    section 168(b), including assistance in the development
                    of a comprehensive performance improvement plan.
                        ``(B) Second consecutive year failure.--If such
                    failure under subparagraph (A) continues for a second
                    consecutive program year, the percentage of each amount
                    that could (in the absence of this subsection) be
                    reserved by the Governor under section 128(a)(1) for
                    the immediately succeeding program year shall be
                    reduced by 8 percent and an amount equivalent to the
                    amount reduced shall be returned to the Secretary of
                    Labor until such date as the Secretary of Labor
                    determines that the State meets such State adjusted
                    levels of performance.
                ``(3) Limitation.--The total reduction under this
            subsection to the percentage of each amount that could (in the
            absence of this subsection) be reserved by the Governor under
            section 128(a)(1) may not exceed 10 percent for a program year.
                ``(4) Reallotment of reductions.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The amounts available for
                    reallotment for a program year shall be reallotted to a
                    State (in this paragraph referred to as an `eligible
                    State') that--
                                ``(i) was not subject to a reduction of
                            funds under paragraph (1)(B) or paragraph
                            (2)(B) of this subsection for such program
                            year;
                                ``(ii) in the case of amounts available
                            under section 127(b)(1)(C), was 1 of the 5
                            States that achieved, in the most recent
                            program year, the greatest increase from the
                            prior year to the average of the State's
                            adjusted levels of performance across all
                            indicators of performance for the youth program
                            under chapter 2 of subtitle B;
                                ``(iii) in the case of amounts available
                            under section 132(b)(1)(B), was 1 of the 5
                            States that achieved, in the most recent
                            program year, the greatest increase from the
                            prior year to the average of the State's
                            adjusted levels of performance across all
                            indicators of performance for the adult program
                            under chapter 3 of subtitle B; and
                                ``(iv) in the case of amounts available
                            under section 132(b)(2)(B), was 1 of the 5
                            States that achieved, in the most recent
                            program year, the greatest increase from the
                            prior year to the average of the State's
                            adjusted levels of performance across all
                            indicators of performance for the dislocated
                            worker program under chapter 3 of subtitle B.
                        ``(B) Amounts available for reallotment.--In this
                    paragraph, the term `amounts available for reallotment
                    for a program year' means the amounts available under
                    section 127(b)(1)(C) and paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B)
                    of section 132(b) for such program year which could (in
                    the absence of the requirements to return funds of
                    paragraph (1)(B) or paragraph (2)(B) of this
                    subsection) have otherwise been reserved under section
                    128(a)(1) by a Governor of a State for such program
                    year.
                        ``(C) Reallotment amounts.--In making reallotments
                    under subparagraph (A) for a program year to eligible
                    States, the Secretary shall allot to each eligible
                    State--
                                ``(i) in the case of amounts available
                            under section 127(b)(1)(C), an amount based on
                            the relative amount of the allotment made
                            (before the reallotments under this paragraph
                            are made) to such eligible State under section
                            127(b)(1)(C) for such program year, compared to
                            the total allotments made (before the
                            reallotments under this paragraph are made) to
                            all eligible States under section 127(b)(1)(C)
                            for such program year;
                                ``(ii) in the case of amounts available
                            under paragraph (1)(B) of section 132(b), an
                            amount based on the relative amount of the
                            allotment made (before the reallotments under
                            this paragraph are made) to such eligible State
                            under paragraph (1)(B) of section 132(b) for
                            such program year, compared to the total
                            allotments made (before the reallotments under
                            this paragraph are made) to all eligible States
                            under paragraph (1)(B) of section 132(b) for
                            such program year; and
                                ``(iii) in the case of amounts available
                            under paragraph (2)(B) of section 132(b), an
                            amount based on the relative amount of the
                            allotment made (before the reallotments under
                            this paragraph are made) to such eligible State
                            under paragraph (2)(B) of section 132(b) for
                            such program year, compared to the total
                            allotments made (before the reallotments under
                            this paragraph are made) to all eligible States
                            under paragraph (2)(B) of section 132(b) for
                            such program year.''.
        (e) Sanctions for Local Area Failure To Meet Local Performance
    Accountability Measures.--Section 116(g) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(g)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) by inserting ``80 percent of the'' before
                    ``local performance''; and
                        (B) by striking ``local performance accountability
                    measures established under subsection (c)'' and
                    inserting ``local level of performance established
                    under subsection (c) for an indicator of performance
                    described in subsection (b)(2)(A) for a single program,
                    an average of 90 percent of the local levels of
                    performance across all such indicators for a single
                    program, or an average of 90 percent of the local
                    levels of performance for a single such indicator
                    across all programs,''; and
                (2) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
                    follows:
                        ``(A) In general.--If such failure continues, the
                    Governor shall take corrective actions, which shall
                    include--
                                ``(i) in the case of such failure, as
                            described in paragraph (1), for a second
                            consecutive year, on any single indicator,
                            across indicators for a single program, or on a
                            single indicator across programs, a 5-percent
                            reduction in the amount that would (in the
                            absence of this clause) be allocated to the
                            local area for the immediately succeeding
                            program year under chapter 2 or 3 of subtitle B
                            for the program subject to the performance
                            failure;
                                ``(ii) in the case of such failure, as
                            described in paragraph (1), for a third
                            consecutive year, the development of a
                            reorganization plan through which the Governor
                            shall--
                                        ``(I) require the appointment and
                                    certification of a new local board,
                                    consistent with the criteria
                                    established under section 107(b);
                                        ``(II) prohibit the use of one-stop
                                    delivery system contractors or service
                                    providers identified as achieving a
                                    poor level of performance; and
                                        ``(III) redesignate a local area
                                    (which may include merging a local area
                                    with another local area), if the
                                    Governor determines that the likely
                                    cause of such continued performance
                                    failure of a local area is due to such
                                    local area's designation being granted
                                    without the appropriate consideration
                                    of parameters described under section
                                    106(b)(1)(B); or
                                ``(iii) taking another significant action
                            determined appropriate by the Governor.'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting ``(ii)''
                    after ``subparagraph (A)''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(D) Reallocation of reductions.--With respect to
                    any amounts available to carry out section 128(b),
                    paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of section 133(b), and section
                    133(b)(2)(B) to a Governor for a program year which
                    would (in the absence of subparagraph (A)(i)) have
                    otherwise been allocated by such Governor to a local
                    area (referred to individually in this subparagraph as
                    an `unallocated amount') for such program year--
                                ``(i) 10 percent of those 3 unallocated
                            amounts shall be reserved by the Governor to
                            provide technical assistance to local areas
                            within the State that were subject to a
                            reduction of allocation amounts pursuant to
                            subparagraph (A)(i) for such program year; and
                                ``(ii) the amounts remaining after the
                            reservations under clause (i) shall be
                            reallocated by the Governor, to the local areas
                            within the State that were not subject to a
                            reduction of allocation amounts pursuant to
                            subparagraph (A)(i) for such program year, in a
                            manner determined by the Governor, which may
                            take into consideration the extent to which
                            local areas serve a significant number, as
                            determined by the Governor, of individuals with
                            barriers to employment.''.
        (f) Establishing Pay-for-Performance Contract Strategy
    Incentives.--Section 116(h) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
    Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(h)) is amended by striking ``non-Federal funds''
    and inserting ``not more than 5 percent of the funds reserved under
    section 128(a)(1)''.
        (g) Information and Technical Assistance.--Section 116 of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j); and
                (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following:
        ``(i) Information and Technical Assistance.--Beginning not later
    than 12 months after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce
    for America Act of 2026, the Secretary of Labor shall hold meetings
    with each State board and State agency that administers a core program,
    and that requests such a meeting, to provide information and technical
    assistance concerning the performance accountability measures
    established in accordance with subsection (b), and related requirements
    for States under this section.''.
        (h) Fiscal and Management Accountability Information Systems.--
    Section 116(j) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3141(j)), as so redesignated, is amended--
                (1) in the first sentence of paragraph (2), by inserting
            ``, and may use information provided from the National
            Directory of New Hires in accordance with section 453(j)(8) of
            the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)(8))'' after ``State
            law'';
                (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
                (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
                ``(3) Designated entity.--The Governor shall designate a
            State agency (or appropriate State entity) to assist in
            carrying out the performance reporting requirements of this
            section for core programs and eligible providers of training
            services. The designated State agency (or appropriate State
            entity) shall be responsible for--
                        ``(A) facilitating data matches using quarterly
                    wage record information, including wage record
                    information made available by other States, to measure
                    employment and earnings outcomes;
                        ``(B) notifying State agencies that administer core
                    programs and eligible providers of training services of
                    the State's procedures for data validation and
                    reliability, as described in subsection (d)(5); and
                        ``(C) protection against disaggregation that would
                    violate applicable privacy standards, as described in
                    subsection (d)(6)(C).''.
        (i) Implementation of Performance Accountability Measures.--Section
    116 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) is
    amended by adding at the end the following:
        ``(k) Implementation of Performance Accountability Measures.--Not
    later than 24 months after the date of enactment of the A Stronger
    Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary of Labor shall fully
    implement the requirements of this section for programs described in
    subsection (b)(3)(A)(iv), including--
                ``(1) developing and disseminating the objective
            statistical adjustment model framework described in subsection
            (b)(3)(A)(viii) and using the model as described in subsection
            (b)(3)(A)(viii) for each program; and
                ``(2) notifying the State agencies carrying out such
            programs of the performance accountability measures established
            under this section, of the reporting and evaluation
            requirements for such programs, and of the sanctions
            requirements for programs that fail to meet State adjusted
            levels of performance under subsection (b)(3)(A)(iv).''.

           Subtitle C--Workforce Investment Activities and Providers

            CHAPTER 1--WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDERS

    SEC. 121. ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE-STOP DELIVERY SYSTEMS.

        (a) One-Stop Partners.--Section 121(b) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(b)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) in clause (xi), by inserting ``and'' at
                            the end;
                                (ii) by striking clause (xii); and
                                (iii) by redesignating clause (xiii) as
                            clause (xii); and
                        (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``subparagraph
                    (B)(xiii)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (B)(xii)'';
                    and
                (2) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``With'' and
                    inserting ``At the direction of the Governor or with'';
                    and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) in clause (vi), by striking ``and'' at
                            the end;
                                (ii) by redesignating clause (vii) as
                            clause (viii);
                                (iii) by inserting after clause (vi) the
                            following:
                                ``(vii) any applicable economic development
                            and workforce development programs carried out
                            in the State--
                                        ``(I) by the Economic Development
                                    Administration;
                                        ``(II) under Public Law 117-167
                                    (commonly known as the `CHIPS and
                                    Science Act of 2022');
                                        ``(III) under the Infrastructure
                                    Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law
                                    117-58); or
                                        ``(IV) under Public Law 117-168
                                    (commonly known as the `Inflation
                                    Reduction Act of 2022'); and''; and
                                (iv) in clause (viii), as so redesignated--
                                        (I) by inserting ``out-of-school
                                    youth services,'' after ``education,'';
                                    and
                                        (II) by inserting ``, by community-
                                    based organizations,'' after
                                    ``libraries''.
        (b) Memorandum of Understanding.--Section 121(c)(2)(A)(iv) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(c)(2)(A)(iv))
    is amended by striking ``access to services, including access to
    technology and materials, made'' and inserting ``access or referral to
    services, including access or referral to technology, materials, and
    other supportive services, made''.
        (c) One-Stop Operators.--Section 121(d) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(d)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraphs (2) and
            (3)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (5)'';
                (2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                        (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
                    inserting ``(including effectiveness in serving
                    individuals with barriers to employment)'' after
                    ``demonstrated effectiveness'';
                        (B) in clause (i), by inserting after ``education''
                    the following: ``or an area career and technical
                    education school'';
                        (C) in clause (v), by striking ``and'';
                        (D) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (viii);
                        (E) by inserting after clause (v) the following:
                                ``(vi) a public library;
                                ``(vii) a local board that meets the
                            requirements of paragraph (4); and''; and
                        (F) in clause (viii), as so redesignated, by
                    inserting after ``labor organization'' the following:
                    ``or joint labor-management organization'';
                (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
            (5) and (6), respectively; and
                (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
                ``(3) Responsibilities.--
                        ``(A) In general.--In operating a one-stop delivery
                    system referred to in subsection (e), a one-stop
                    operator--
                                ``(i) shall--
                                        ``(I) manage operations of the one-
                                    stop delivery system in the local area;
                                        ``(II) facilitate coordination
                                    among the one-stop partners in such
                                    one-stop delivery system; and
                                        ``(III) take the necessary steps to
                                    ensure efficient and effective service
                                    delivery for individuals served by the
                                    one-stop delivery system, including
                                    individuals with barriers to
                                    employment; and
                                ``(ii) may, subject to the requirements
                            under subparagraph (B), directly provide
                            services to job seekers and employers.
                        ``(B) Internal controls.--In a case in which a one-
                    stop operator seeks to operate as a service provider
                    pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii), the local board shall
                    establish internal controls (which shall include
                    written policies and procedures)--
                                ``(i) with respect to the competition in
                            which the one-stop operator will compete to be
                            selected as such service provider, and the
                            subsequent oversight, monitoring, and
                            evaluation of the performance of such one-stop
                            operator as such service provider; and
                                ``(ii) which require compliance with--
                                        ``(I) relevant Office of Management
                                    and Budget circulars relating to
                                    conflicts of interest; and
                                        ``(II) any applicable State
                                    conflict of interest policy.
                ``(4) Local boards as one-stop operators.--Subject to
            approval from the chief elected official and Governor and in
            accordance with any other eligibility criteria established by
            the State, a local board may serve as a one-stop operator, if
            the local board--
                        ``(A) enters into a written agreement with the
                    chief elected official that clarifies how the local
                    board will carry out the functions and responsibilities
                    as a one-stop operator in a manner that complies with
                    the appropriate internal controls to prevent any
                    conflicts of interest, which shall include how the
                    local board, while serving as a one-stop operator,
                    will--
                                ``(i) comply with the relevant Office of
                            Management and Budget circulars relating to
                            conflicts of interest; and
                                ``(ii) any applicable State conflict of
                            interest policy; and
                        ``(B) complies with the other applicable
                    requirements of this subsection.''.
        (d) One-Stop Delivery.--Section 121(e) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(e)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), to read as follows:
                        ``(A) shall make each of the programs, services
                    (meaning a referral in the case of supportive services,
                    for the purposes of this paragraph), and activities
                    described in paragraph (1) available--
                                ``(i) at not less than 1 physical or
                            virtual center for each local area of the
                            State, except that local areas may share--
                                        ``(I) a virtual center, if the
                                    local area complies with subparagraph
                                    (E); or
                                        ``(II) a physical center, if such
                                    center is located in a location that
                                    promotes accessibility to services for
                                    individuals residing in all such local
                                    areas served by the center; and
                                ``(ii) in a manner that is designed to
                            promote efficiency, coordination, quality, and
                            accessibility for individuals with barriers to
                            employment, as determined by the local board,
                            in the delivery of such programs, services, and
                            activities;'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting after
                    ``affiliated sites'' the following: ``(such as a site
                    of any of the entities described in subsection
                    (d)(2)(B))'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (C)--
                                (i) by inserting after ``centers'' the
                            following: ``(which may be virtual or physical
                            centers)''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                        (D) in subparagraph (D)--
                                (i) by striking ``as applicable and
                            practicable, shall'' and inserting ``in the
                            case of a one-stop delivery system that is
                            making each of the programs, services, and
                            activities described in paragraph (1)
                            accessible at not less than 1 physical center,
                            as described in subparagraph (A)(i), shall, in
                            accordance with the regulations issued pursuant
                            to paragraph (5),''; and
                                (ii) by striking the period at the end and
                            inserting ``, and local areas that share at
                            least 1 common border may coordinate in making
                            such programs, services, and activities
                            accessible through electronic means through
                            such a one-stop delivery system; and''; and
                        (E) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
                    following:
                        ``(E) in the case of a one-stop delivery system
                    that is making each of the programs, services, and
                    activities accessible through electronic means, as
                    described in subparagraph (A)(i), shall--
                                ``(i) have not fewer than 2 affiliated
                            sites (not fewer than 1 of which will have not
                            fewer than 1 professional staff member) with a
                            physical location where individuals can access,
                            virtually, each of the programs, services, and
                            activities described in paragraph (1) that are
                            virtually accessible; and
                                ``(ii) comply with the regulations issued
                            pursuant to paragraph (5).'';
                (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting after the first sentence
            the following: ``The system identifier shall be prominently and
            visibly displayed at each comprehensive and specialized one-
            stop center operated by the one-stop delivery system, including
            physical and virtual centers identified in paragraph (2)(A),
            and the sites and centers described in subparagraphs (B)
            through (E) of paragraph (2).''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(5) Minimum digital functionality regulations.--The
            Secretary shall issue regulations to establish minimum digital
            functionality requirements with respect to the one-stop
            delivery system.''.
        (e) Certification and Improvement Criteria.--Section 121(g)(2)(A)
    of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
    3151(g)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``under subsections (h)(1)'' and
    inserting ``under subsections (h)(1)(C)''.
        (f) Funding of One-Stop Infrastructure.--Section 121(h) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(h)) is
    amended--
                (1) by striking paragraph (1);
                (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
            (1) and (2), respectively;
                (3) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated--
                        (A) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as
                    follows:
                        ``(B) Partner contributions.--Subject to
                    subparagraph (D), the covered portions of funding for a
                    fiscal year shall be provided to the Governor from the
                    programs described in subsection (b)(1) to pay the
                    costs of infrastructure of one-stop centers in local
                    areas of the State.'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (C)(i)--
                                (i) by striking ``for funding pursuant to
                            clause (i)(II) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) by
                            each partner,''; and
                                (ii) by striking the third sentence; and
                        (C) in subparagraph (D)--
                                (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``For local
                            areas in a State that are not covered by
                            paragraph (1)(A)(i)(I), the'' and inserting
                            ``The'';
                                (ii) in clause (ii)--
                                        (I) in subclause (I)--
                                                (aa) by striking ``Wia'' in
                                            the header and inserting
                                            ``Wioa''; and
                                                (bb) by striking ``3
                                            percent'' and inserting ``5
                                            percent''; and
                                        (II) by striking subclause (III)
                                    and inserting the following:
                                        ``(III) Vocational
                                    rehabilitation.--Notwithstanding
                                    subclauses (I) and (II), an entity
                                    administering a program described in
                                    subsection (b)(1)(B)(iii) shall not be
                                    required to provide from that program,
                                    under this paragraph, a portion that
                                    exceeds 1.5 percent of the amount of
                                    Federal funds provided to carry out
                                    such program in the State for a program
                                    year.''; and
                                (iii) in clause (iii), by striking ``For
                            local areas in a State that are not covered by
                            paragraph (1)(A)(i)(I), an'' and inserting
                            ``An'';
                (4) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``purposes of
                    assisting in'' and inserting ``purpose of''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) in the first sentence, by striking
                            ``not funding costs of infrastructure under the
                            option described in paragraph (1)(A)(i)(I)'';
                            and
                                (ii) in the second sentence, by inserting
                            after ``local area,'' the following: ``the
                            intensity of services provided by such centers,
                            the number and types of one-stop partners
                            engaged by or providing services through such
                            centers'';
                (5) by inserting after paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
            the following:
                ``(3) Supplemental infrastructure funding.--For any fiscal
            year in which the allocation received by a local area under
            paragraph (2) is insufficient to cover the total costs of
            infrastructure of one-stop centers in such local area, the
            local board, the chief elected official, and the one-stop
            partners that have entered into the local memorandum of
            understanding with the local board under subsection (c) may
            agree to fund, using Federal or other funds, the remainder of
            any such costs using a method described in such memorandum.'';
            and
                (6) in paragraph (4), by inserting after ``operation of the
            one-stop center'' the following: ``(whether for in-person or
            virtual service delivery)''.
        (g) Other Funds.--Section 121(i)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(i)(2)) is amended by striking
    ``intake,'' and all that follows through ``skills,'' and inserting
    ``intake, case management, assessment of needs, appraisal of
    foundational skill needs,''.

    SEC. 122. IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS OF TRAINING SERVICES.

        (a) In General.--Section 122 of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsections (f) through (i) as
            subsections (g) through (j), respectively;
                (2) by striking the section heading and all that follows
            through subsection (e) and inserting the following:

    ``SEC. 122. IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS OF TRAINING SERVICES.

        ``(a) Eligibility.--
                ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (i),
            the Governor, after consultation with the State board and
            considering the State's adjusted levels of performance
            described in section 116(b)(3)(A)(iv), shall establish--
                        ``(A) procedures regarding the eligibility of
                    providers of training services to receive funds
                    provided under section 133(b) for the provision of
                    training services through programs with eligibility
                    under this section (in this section referred to as
                    `eligible programs') in local areas in the State; and
                        ``(B) the minimum levels of performance on the
                    criteria for a program to receive such eligibility.
                ``(2) Providers.--Subject to the provisions of this
            section, to be eligible to receive those funds for the
            provision of training services, the provider shall be--
                        ``(A) an institution of higher education that
                    provides a program that leads to a recognized
                    postsecondary credential;
                        ``(B) an entity that carries out programs
                    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) another public or private provider of a
                    program of training services, which may include joint
                    labor-management organizations, providers of
                    entrepreneurial skills development programs, industry
                    or sector partnerships, groups of employers, trade or
                    professional associations, and eligible providers of
                    adult education and literacy activities under title II
                    (if such activities are provided in combination with
                    occupational skills training or integrated education
                    and training programs).
                ``(3) Inclusion in list of eligible providers.--
                        ``(A) Compliance with additional criteria,
                    information requirements and procedures.--A provider
                    described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (2)
                    (other than a provider described in subparagraph
                    (B)(ii) of this paragraph) shall comply with the
                    criteria, information requirements, and procedures
                    established under this section to be included on the
                    list of eligible providers of training services
                    described in subsection (d).
                        ``(B) Automatic inclusion.--
                                ``(i) Providers of registered
                            apprenticeship programs.--A provider described
                            in paragraph (2)(B) shall be included and
                            maintained on the list of eligible providers of
                            training services described in subsection (d)
                            for so long as the corresponding program of the
                            provider remains registered as described in
                            paragraph (2)(B).
                                ``(ii) Providers of workforce pell
                            programs.--With respect to a provider described
                            in paragraph (2)(A) that provides an eligible
                            program for purposes of the Workforce Pell
                            Grant program under section 401(k) of the
                            Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                            1070a(k)), as added by section 83002(a) of
                            Public Law 119-21, such provider shall be
                            included and maintained on the list of eligible
                            providers of training services described in
                            subsection (d) for so long as the provider
                            provides such eligible program.
        ``(b) Criteria and Information Requirements.--
                ``(1) General criteria for programs.--Each provider shall
            demonstrate to the Governor that the program for which the
            provider is seeking eligibility under this section--
                        ``(A) prepares participants to meet the hiring
                    requirements of potential employers in the State, or a
                    local area within the State, for employment that--
                                ``(i) is high-skill and high-wage; or
                                ``(ii) is in an in-demand industry sector
                            or occupation;
                        ``(B) leads to a recognized postsecondary
                    credential;
                        ``(C) has been offered by the provider for not less
                    than 1 year; and
                        ``(D) meets the performance requirements for
                    eligibility described in paragraph (2).
                ``(2) Performance criteria for eligibility.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The Governor shall--
                                ``(i) establish and publicize minimum
                            levels of performance for each of the criteria
                            listed in subparagraph (B) that a program
                            offered by a provider of training services
                            shall achieve, for all participants in the
                            program (including participants for whom the
                            provider receives payments under this title)
                            for the program to receive and maintain
                            eligibility under this section;
                                ``(ii) verify the performance achieved by
                            such a program with respect to each such
                            criterion to determine whether the program
                            meets the corresponding minimum level of
                            performance established under clause (i)--
                                        ``(I) in the case of the criteria
                                    described in (ii) through (iv) of
                                    subparagraph (B), using State
                                    administrative data (such as quarterly
                                    wage records); and
                                        ``(II) in the case of the criteria
                                    described in subparagraph (B)(i), using
                                    any applicable method for such
                                    verification; and
                                ``(iii) in verifying the performance
                            achievement of a program to make such
                            determination, verify that such program
                            included a sufficient number of program
                            participants to protect participants'
                            personally identifiable information, and to
                            provide information that is a reliable
                            indicator of performance achievement.
                        ``(B) Performance criteria.--The performance
                    criteria to receive and maintain eligibility for a
                    program under this section are each of the following:
                                ``(i) The credential attainment rate of
                            program participants (calculated as the
                            percentage of program participants who obtain
                            the recognized postsecondary credential that
                            the program prepares participants to earn
                            within 6 months after exit from the program).
                                ``(ii) The job placement rate of program
                            participants (calculated as the percentage of
                            program participants in unsubsidized employment
                            during the second quarter after exit from the
                            program).
                                ``(iii) The median earnings of program
                            participants who are in unsubsidized employment
                            during the second quarter after exit from the
                            program.
                                ``(iv) The ratio of median earnings
                            increase to the total cost of program,
                            calculated as the ratio of--
                                        ``(I) the median value of the
                                    difference between--
                                                ``(aa) participant wages
                                            from unsubsidized employment
                                            during the second quarter after
                                            program exit; and
                                                ``(bb) participant wages
                                            during the quarter prior to
                                            entering the program; to
                                        ``(II) the total cost of the
                                    program (as described in paragraph
                                    (5)(B)(i)(III)).
                        ``(C) Local criteria.--With respect to any program
                    receiving eligibility under this section from a
                    Governor, a local board in the State may require higher
                    levels of performance than the minimum levels of
                    performance established by the Governor under this
                    paragraph for the program to be an eligible program in
                    the corresponding local area, but may not--
                                ``(i) require any information or
                            application from the provider that is not
                            required for such eligibility; or
                                ``(ii) establish a performance requirement
                            with respect to any criterion not listed in
                            subparagraph (B).
                ``(3) Employer-sponsored or industry or sector partnership
            designation.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The Governor shall establish
                    procedures and criteria for a provider to demonstrate
                    that a program meets, in applying for an employer-
                    sponsored designation for a program that has received
                    eligibility under this subsection, which shall include
                    demonstrating a commitment from an employer or an
                    industry or sector partnership to--
                                ``(i) pay to the provider, on behalf of
                            each participant enrolled in such program under
                            this Act, not less than 25 percent of the total
                            cost of the program (as described in paragraph
                            (5)(B)(i)(III)), which shall be provided in
                            lieu of 25 percent of the amount that the
                            provider would have otherwise received under
                            section 133(b) for the provision of training
                            services by such program to such participant;
                            and
                                ``(ii) guarantee an interview and
                            meaningful consideration for a job with the
                            employer, or in the case of an industry or
                            sector partnership, an employer within such
                            partnership, for each such participant that
                            successfully completes the program.
                        ``(B) Restriction on financial arrangement.--A
                    provider of a program receiving an employer-sponsored
                    designation under this paragraph may not--
                                ``(i) have an ownership stake in the
                            employer or industry or sector partnership
                            making a commitment described in subparagraph
                            (A); or
                                ``(ii) enter into an arrangement to
                            reimburse an employer or partnership for the
                            costs of a participant paid by such employer or
                            partnership under this paragraph.
                ``(4) Workforce innovation leader designation.--
                        ``(A) In general.--If the Governor determines that
                    a program offered by an eligible provider meets the
                    minimum levels of performance described in subparagraph
                    (B) to receive a Workforce Innovation Leader (or WIL)
                    designation, which designates the program as a WIL
                    program, the Governor shall grant the program
                    designation as a WIL program and inform the provider of
                    such program of their ability to display the WIL seal,
                    as described in subparagraph (C), in marketing
                    materials.
                        ``(B) Levels.--A eligible program shall meet the
                    levels of performance to receive a WIL designation if
                    such program has achieved--
                                ``(i) a credential attainment rate of
                            program participants (calculated as the
                            percentage of program participants who obtain
                            the recognized postsecondary credential that
                            the program prepares participants to earn
                            within 6 months after exit from the program) of
                            not less than 80 percent;
                                ``(ii) a job placement rate of program
                            participants (calculated as the percentage of
                            program participants in unsubsidized employment
                            during the second quarter after exit from the
                            program) of not less than 70 percent;
                                ``(iii) median earnings of program
                            participants who are in unsubsidized employment
                            during the second quarter after exit from the
                            program that are not less than 25 percent
                            greater than the State-level median earnings of
                            individuals ages 25 through 34 in the labor
                            force who have only a regular high school
                            diploma or its recognized equivalent; and
                                ``(iv) a ratio of greater than 1.5 of
                            median earnings increase to the total cost of
                            program, calculated as the ratio of--
                                        ``(I) the median value of the
                                    difference between--
                                                ``(aa) participant wages
                                            from unsubsidized employment
                                            during the second quarter after
                                            program exit; and
                                                ``(bb) participant wages
                                            during the quarter prior to
                                            entering the program; to
                                        ``(II) the total cost of the
                                    program (as described in paragraph
                                    (5)(B)(i)(III)).
                        ``(C) WIL seal.--Not later than 2 years after the
                    date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for
                    America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall design a seal
                    signifying that a program has achieved a WIL
                    designation, for the Governor of each State to provide
                    to any programs in their State that achieve the
                    performance necessary to receive a WIL designation.
                        ``(D) Loss of wil designation.--If, during the
                    annual review of eligibility described in subsection
                    (c)(3), the Governor determines that a WIL program no
                    longer meets the levels described in subparagraph (B)
                    or otherwise has eligibility under this section revoked
                    or terminated, or the provider of the program has
                    eligibility terminated under subsection (g)(1)(A), the
                    Governor shall revoke the program's WIL designation and
                    inform the provider of such program that such provider
                    may no longer display the WIL seal in marketing
                    materials or otherwise.
                ``(5) Information requirements.--A provider that seeks to
            establish eligibility under this section, and an eligible
            provider, shall submit appropriate, accurate, and timely
            information to the Governor, to enable the Governor to carry
            out subsection (d), with respect to all participants in each
            eligible program (including participants for whom the provider
            receives payments under this title) offered by the provider,
            which information shall--
                        ``(A) be made available by the State in a common,
                    linked, open, and interoperable data format; and
                        ``(B) consist of--
                                ``(i) information on--
                                        ``(I) in the case of an eligible
                                    provider offering a program who is
                                    seeking to maintain eligibility, the
                                    performance of the program with respect
                                    to the indicators described in section
                                    116(b)(2)(A) for participants in the
                                    program;
                                        ``(II) the recognized postsecondary
                                    credentials received by such
                                    participants, including, in relation to
                                    each such credential, the issuing
                                    entity, any third-party endorsements,
                                    the occupations for which the
                                    credential prepares individuals, the
                                    competencies achieved by the
                                    individuals, the level of mastery of
                                    such competencies (including how
                                    mastery is assessed) achieved by the
                                    individuals, and any transfer value or
                                    stackability;
                                        ``(III) the total cost of the
                                    program, including the costs of the
                                    published tuition and fees, supplies,
                                    and books, and any other costs required
                                    by the provider, for a participant in
                                    the program;
                                        ``(IV) the percentage of such
                                    participants that complete the program
                                    within the expected time to completion;
                                    and
                                        ``(V) the program's level of
                                    performance on the criteria described
                                    in paragraph (2) and not otherwise
                                    included in clause (I) of this clause;
                                    and
                                ``(ii) with respect to employment and
                            earnings measures described in subclauses (I)
                            through (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) and
                            the performance criteria described in
                            subsection (b)(2) for such participants--
                                        ``(I) the necessary information for
                                    the State to develop program
                                    performance data using State
                                    administrative data (such as quarterly
                                    wage records); and
                                        ``(II) the necessary information to
                                    determine the percentage of such
                                    participants who entered unsubsidized
                                    employment in an occupation related to
                                    the program, to the extent practicable.
                ``(6) Eligible provider.--In this section, other than
            subsection (i), a provider of an eligible program under this
            section shall be considered to be identified as an eligible
            provider of training services.
        ``(c) Procedures.--
                ``(1) Application procedures.--The procedures established
            under subsection (a) shall identify the application process for
            a provider of training services (for a program offered by the
            provider) to become eligible to receive funds provided under
            section 133(b) for the provision of training services. That
            process shall be implemented in a manner that minimizes the
            financial and administrative burden on the provider and shall
            not require the submission of information in excess of the
            information required to determine a program's eligibility under
            paragraphs (1), (2), and (5) of subsection (b). The procedures
            shall identify the respective roles of the State and local
            areas in receiving and reviewing the applications and in making
            determinations of such eligibility based on the criteria,
            information requirements, and procedures established under this
            section. The procedures shall also establish a process, for a
            provider of training services to appeal a denial or revocation
            or termination of eligibility under this section, that includes
            an opportunity for a hearing and prescribes appropriate time
            limits to ensure prompt resolution of the appeal.
                ``(2) Approval.--A Governor shall make a determination of
            such eligibility with respect to a program for which the
            provider is seeking eligibility under this section not later
            than 30 days after receipt of an application submitted by such
            provider consistent with the procedures in paragraph (1).
                ``(3) Renewal procedures.--The procedures established by
            the Governor shall also provide for annual review and renewal
            of eligibility under this section for a program of training
            services that continues to meet the requirements under
            paragraphs (1), (2), and (5) of subsection (b).
                ``(4) Revocation of eligibility.--The procedures
            established under subsection (a) shall adhere to the following
            requirements for revocation of eligibility by the Governor:
                        ``(A) Failure to provide required information.--
                    With respect to a provider of training services that is
                    eligible under this section for a program year with
                    respect to an eligible program, but that does not
                    provide the information described in subsection (b)(5)
                    with respect to such program for such program year
                    (including information on performance necessary to
                    determine if the program meets the minimum levels of
                    performance on the performance criteria to maintain
                    eligibility), the provider shall be ineligible under
                    this section with respect to such program for the
                    program year after the program year for which the
                    provider fails to provide such information.
                        ``(B) Failure to meet performance criteria.--
                                ``(i) First year.--The provider of an
                            eligible program that has received eligibility
                            under subsection (c)(2) for a program year but
                            fails to meet the minimum levels of performance
                            on the performance criteria described in
                            subsection (b)(2) for the most recent program
                            year for which performance data on such
                            criteria are available shall be notified of
                            such failure by the Governor.
                                ``(ii) Second consecutive year.--A program
                            that fails to meet the minimum levels of
                            performance for a second consecutive program
                            year shall be ineligible under this section
                            with respect to such program for the program
                            year following such second consecutive program
                            year and until the program meets the minimum
                            levels of performance.
                                ``(iii) Reapplication.--A provider that
                            loses eligibility under this subparagraph with
                            respect to a program may reapply to receive
                            eligibility for the program according to the
                            procedures described in this subparagraph if
                            the program meets the minimum levels of
                            performance described in clause (i), for the
                            most recent program year for which performance
                            data on the performance criteria are available.
                        ``(C) Repeated failure.--A program for which the
                    Governor revokes eligibility under subparagraph (A) or
                    (B)--
                                ``(i) 2 times shall be determined
                            ineligible under this section by the Governor
                            for a period of at least 2 years;
                                ``(ii) 3 times shall be determined
                            ineligible under the section by the Governor
                            for a period of at least 5 years; and
                                ``(iii) more than 3 times shall be
                            determined ineligible under this section by the
                            Governor for a period of at least 10 years.
                ``(5) Continuity of training services.--A provider of a
            program for which the Governor revokes eligibility under
            paragraph (4) shall--
                        ``(A) be prohibited from enrolling any new
                    participants whose participation would be funded under
                    section 133(b) in the program and from receiving any
                    payments from funds provided under section 133(b) for
                    any participants not already enrolled in the program on
                    the date of revocation or termination until and unless
                    the Governor determines that the provider has
                    demonstrated that the program offered by the provider
                    has met the requirements for the provider to gain the
                    opportunity to reapply for eligibility under the
                    procedure described in paragraph (4)(B)(iii); and
                        ``(B) enable each participant currently enrolled in
                    the program, on the date of the revocation or
                    termination, to complete such program.
                ``(6) Notification of program loss of eligibility.--The
            local board serving participants whose participation is funded
            under section 133(b) in a program for which eligibility is
            revoked by the Governor under this subsection shall notify such
            participants that such program no longer meets the State's
            requirements for eligible providers of training services under
            this Act and that the participant has the opportunity to
            continue receiving training services from such program, in
            order to complete the program.
                ``(7) Multistate providers.--The procedures established
            under subsection (a) shall specify the process for any provider
            of training services offering a program that is eligible under
            this section in a first State to establish eligibility under
            this section in an additional State, which shall, to the extent
            practicable, minimize financial and administrative burdens on
            any such provider by authorizing the provider to submit the
            same application materials and information to the Governor of
            the additional State that was accepted by the Governor granting
            the provider's eligibility in the first State, as long as the
            program meets the applicable State requirements for such
            eligibility established under subsection (b).
                ``(8) Online providers.--The procedures established under
            subsection (a) shall apply to a provider that delivers training
            services exclusively online. If a participant chooses a
            provider that delivers training services exclusively online and
            is not located in the State of the local area that approved
            such training services for the participant in accordance with
            section 133(c)(3)(A)(i), such provider shall be ineligible to
            receive payment for such participant from funds allotted to
            such State under section 132 unless such provider is on the
            list of eligible providers of training services described in
            subsection (d) for such State with respect to the program
            involved.
        ``(d) List and Information to Assist Participants in Choosing
    Providers.--
                ``(1) In general.--In order to facilitate and assist
            participants in choosing employment and training activities and
            in choosing providers of training services, the Governor shall
            ensure that an appropriate list of providers determined to be
            eligible under this section to offer a program in the State
            (and, as appropriate, in a local area), accompanied by
            information identifying the recognized postsecondary credential
            offered by the provider and other appropriate information, is
            prepared. The list shall be provided to the local boards in the
            State, and made available to such participants and to members
            of the public through the one-stop delivery system in the State
            in accordance with paragraph (4).
                ``(2) Talent marketplace.--The Governor may establish (or
            develop in partnership with other States) a talent marketplace.
                ``(3) Accompanying information.--The accompanying
            information referred to in paragraph (1) shall consist of--
                        ``(A) with respect to providers described in
                    subparagraphs (A) and (C) of subsection (a)(2) (other
                    than providers described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii)),
                    information provided by such providers (disaggregated
                    by local areas served, as applicable) in accordance
                    with subsection (b);
                        ``(B) with respect to a program described in
                    subsection (b)(3) that is offered by a provider,
                    information promoting the program as having an
                    employer-sponsored designation and identifying the
                    employer or partnership sponsoring the program; and
                        ``(C) with respect to a program described in
                    subsection (b)(4) that is offered by a provider,
                    information promoting the program as being a WIL
                    program and displaying the seal described in subsection
                    (b)(4)(C).
                ``(4) Availability.--The list (including the talent
            marketplace if one has been established by the State), and the
            accompanying information shall be made available to such
            participants and to members of the public through the one-stop
            delivery system in the State--
                        ``(A) on a publicly accessible website that--
                                ``(i) is consumer-tested; and
                                ``(ii) is searchable, easily
                            understandable, and navigable, and allows for
                            the comparison of eligible programs through the
                            use of common, linked, open-data descriptive
                            language, including interoperable skills and
                            competency data; and
                        ``(B) in a manner that does not reveal personally
                    identifiable information about an individual
                    participant.
                ``(5) Website technical assistance.--The Secretary shall--
                        ``(A) upon request, provide technical assistance to
                    a State on establishing a website that meets the
                    requirements of paragraph (4); and
                        ``(B) disseminate to each State effective practices
                    or resources from States and private sector entities
                    related to establishing a website that is consumer-
                    tested to ensure that the website is easily understood,
                    searchable, and navigable.
                ``(6) Limitation.--In carrying out the requirements of this
            subsection, no personally identifiable information regarding a
            student, including a Social Security number, student
            identification number, or other identifier, may be disclosed
            without the prior written consent of the student or student's
            parent in compliance with section 444 of the General Education
            Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g).
        ``(e) Opportunity to Submit Comments.--In establishing, under this
    section, criteria, procedures, and the list of eligible providers
    described in subsection (d), the Governor shall provide an opportunity
    for interested members of the public to make recommendations and submit
    comments regarding such criteria, procedures, and list.
        ``(f) Provider Performance Incentives.--
                ``(1) In general.--The Governor shall establish a system of
            performance incentive payments to be awarded to eligible
            providers in addition to the amount paid under section 133(b)
            to such providers for the provision of training services to
            participants of eligible programs. Such system of performance
            incentive payments may be established to award the payments to
            providers of eligible programs that--
                        ``(A) achieve levels of performance above the
                    minimum levels established by the Governor under
                    subsection (b)(2);
                        ``(B) serve a significantly higher number of
                    individuals with barriers to employment compared to
                    training providers offering similar training services;
                    or
                        ``(C) achieve other performance successes,
                    including those related to jobs that provide economic
                    stability and upward mobility (such as jobs with high
                    wages and family sustainable benefits) as determined by
                    the State or the local board.
                ``(2) Incentive payments.--Incentive payments to providers
            established under paragraph (1) shall be awarded to eligible
            providers from funds reserved by the Governor under section
            128(a)(1), except that not more than 5 percent of the funds
            reserved by the Governor under section 128(a)(1) may be used
            for such payments.'';
                (3) by striking subsections (i) and (j) and inserting the
            following:
        ``(i) On-the-job Training, Employer-directed Skills Development,
    Incumbent Worker Training, and Other Training Exceptions.--
                ``(1) In general.--Providers of on-the-job training,
            employer-directed skills development, incumbent worker
            training, internships, paid or unpaid work experience
            opportunities, or transitional employment shall not be subject
            to the requirements of subsections (a) through (f).
                ``(2) Collection and dissemination of information.--A one-
            stop operator in a local area shall collect the minimum amount
            of information from providers of on-the-job training, employer-
            directed skills development, incumbent worker training,
            internships, paid or unpaid work experience opportunities, or
            transitional employment as necessary to enable the use of State
            administrative data to generate such performance information as
            the Governor may require, and use the information to determine
            whether the providers meet such performance criteria as the
            Governor may require. The one-stop operator shall disseminate
            information identifying such providers that meet the criteria
            as eligible providers, and the performance information, through
            the one-stop delivery system. Providers determined to meet the
            criteria shall be considered to be identified as eligible
            providers of training services.
        ``(j) Technical Assistance.--The Governor may apply to the
    Secretary for technical assistance, as described in section 168(c), for
    purposes of carrying out the requirements of the amendments made by the
    A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 to this section, and the
    Secretary shall provide such technical assistance in a timely
    manner.''.
        (b) Report to Congress on State Performance Criteria.--Not later
    than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
    Labor shall submit a report to the Committee on Education and Workforce
    of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education,
    Labor, and Pensions of the Senate on eligible providers of training
    services under section 122 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
    Act (29 U.S.C. 3152), as amended by this Act, in each State that shall
    include--
                (1) the minimum levels of performance established by the
            Governor of each State with respect to the performance criteria
            under subsection (b)(2) of that section 122 for such eligible
            providers of training services in the State;
                (2) the number of such eligible providers of training
            services in the State in each program year that begins after
            the date of enactment of this Act, compared with the number of
            such providers in the State in the program year that began
            immediately preceding that date of enactment; and
                (3) the average length of time that such eligible providers
            of training services in the State maintain eligibility,
            disaggregated by the type of entity that provided the training
            services.

    SEC. 123. ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS OF YOUTH WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES.

        Section 123(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3153(a)) is amended by inserting ``, which may include providers
    of pre-apprenticeship programs, and apprenticeship programs, that serve
    youth,'' before ``identified based''.

                CHAPTER 2--YOUTH WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

    SEC. 131. RESERVATIONS; REALLOCATION.

        (a) Reservations for Statewide Activities.--Section 128(a) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3163(a)) is
    amended--
                (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``reserved amounts'' in
            each place and inserting ``reserved amounts required under
            paragraph (1)''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(3) Critical industry skills fund, and industry sector
            partnership and career pathways development fund.--
                        ``(A) Authorized reservation.--In addition to the
                    reservations required under paragraph (1) and section
                    133(a)(2), and subject to subparagraph (B), the
                    Governor may reserve not more than 10 percent of each
                    of the amounts allotted to the State under section
                    127(b)(1)(C) and paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B) of
                    section 132(b) for a fiscal year to establish and
                    administer any one, or both, of the following:
                                ``(i) A critical industry skills fund
                            described in section 134(a)(4).
                                ``(ii) An industry or sector partnership
                            and career pathways development fund described
                            in section 134(a)(5).
                        ``(B) Matching funds.--
                                ``(i) Requirement.--The amount of funds
                            reserved by a Governor under subparagraph (A)
                            for a fiscal year may not exceed the amount of
                            funds that such Governor commits to using from
                            any of the funds listed in clause (ii) of this
                            subparagraph for the purposes of establishing
                            and administering the funds described in
                            clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) for
                            such fiscal year.
                                ``(ii) Sources of matching funds.--The
                            funds listed in this clause are as follows:
                                        ``(I) Funds reserved by the
                                    Governor under paragraph (1) of this
                                    subsection.
                                        ``(II) Other Federal funds not
                                    described in subclause (I).
                                        ``(III) State funds.''.
        (b) Reallocation Among Local Areas.--Section 128(c) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3173(c)) is
    amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting the following before the
            period at the end: ``as performance-based incentive payments'';
            and
                (2) in paragraph (4)--
                        (A) by striking ``that does not'' and inserting the
                    following: ``that--
                        ``(A) does not'';
                        (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
                    a semicolon; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(B) has met or exceeded an average of 100 percent
                    of the local level of performance described in section
                    116(c)(1)(B) for the local area across all indicators
                    for the youth program authorized under this chapter for
                    the most recent program year for which performance data
                    is available; and
                        ``(C) was not subject to corrective action by the
                    Governor under section 184(a)(5)(A) for a determination
                    of non-compliance with the uniform administrative
                    requirements described in section 184(a)(3) for the
                    program year for which the determination under
                    paragraph (2) is made.''.

    SEC. 132. USE OF FUNDS FOR YOUTH WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES.

        (a) Youth Participant Eligibility.--
                (1) Eligibility determination.--
                        (A) Eligibility.--Subparagraph (A) of section
                    129(a)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
                    Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1)) is amended to read as
                    follows:
                        ``(A) Eligibility determination.--
                                ``(i) In general.--To be eligible to
                            participate in activities carried out under
                            this chapter during any program year, an
                            individual shall, at the time the eligibility
                            determination is made, be an out-of-school
                            youth or an in-school youth.
                                ``(ii) Enrollment.--If a one-stop operator
                            or eligible provider of youth workforce
                            activities carrying out activities under this
                            chapter reasonably believes that an individual
                            is eligible to participate in such activities,
                            the operator or provider may allow such
                            individual to participate in such activities
                            for not more than a 40-day period during which
                            the operator or provider shall obtain the
                            necessary information to make an eligibility
                            determination with respect to such individual
                            (which may involve working with such individual
                            and other entities in the local area, and using
                            available sources of administrative data, to
                            obtain the necessary information).
                                ``(iii) Determination of ineligibility.--
                            With respect to an individual who is determined
                            to be ineligible for activities under this
                            chapter by a one-stop operator or an eligible
                            provider of youth workforce activities during
                            the period described in clause (ii) and who
                            does not qualify for an exception under
                            paragraph (3)(A)(ii) applicable to the local
                            area involved, such operator or service
                            provider--
                                        ``(I) may--
                                                ``(aa) continue serving
                                            such individual using non-
                                            Federal funds; or
                                                ``(bb) end the
                                            participation of such
                                            individual in activities under
                                            this chapter and refer the
                                            individual to other services
                                            that may be available in the
                                            local area for which the
                                            individual may be eligible; and
                                        ``(II) shall be paid for any
                                    services provided to such individual
                                    under this chapter during the period
                                    described in clause (ii) by the local
                                    area involved using funds allocated to
                                    such area under section 128(b).
                                ``(iv) Determination process for homeless
                            youth and foster youth.--In determining whether
                            an individual is eligible to participate in
                            activities carried out under this chapter on
                            the basis of being an individual who is a
                            homeless youth, or a youth in foster care, as
                            described in subparagraph (B)(iii)(V), the one-
                            stop operator or service provider involved
                            may--
                                        ``(I) if determining whether the
                                    individual is a homeless youth, use a
                                    process that is in compliance with the
                                    requirements of subsection (a) of
                                    section 479D of the Higher Education
                                    Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087uu-2) for
                                    financial aid administrators; and
                                        ``(II) if determining whether the
                                    individual is a youth in foster care,
                                    use a process that is in compliance
                                    with the requirements of subsection (b)
                                    of section 479D of the Higher Education
                                    Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087uu-2) for
                                    financial aid administrators.''.
                        (B) Definition of out-of-school youth.--
                    Subparagraph (B) of section 129(a)(1) of the Workforce
                    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1))
                    is amended--
                                (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``, except
                            that an individual described in subparagraph
                            (IV) or (V) of clause (iii) may be attending
                            school (as defined under State law)'' after
                            ``(as defined under State law)'';
                                (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting before
                            the semicolon at the end, the following : ``,
                            except that an individual described in
                            subparagraph (IV) or (V) of clause (iii) may be
                            not younger than age 14 or older than age 24'';
                            and
                                (iii) in clause (iii)--
                                        (I) in subclause (III)--
                                                (aa) in the matter
                                            preceding item (aa)--

                                                        (AA) by striking
                                                    ``secondary school
                                                    diploma or its
                                                    recognized equivalent''
                                                    and inserting ``regular
                                                    high school diploma or
                                                    its recognized
                                                    equivalent''; and

                                                        (BB) by striking
                                                    ``and is'' and
                                                    inserting ``and'';

                                                (bb) in item (aa), by
                                            striking ``basic skills
                                            deficient;'' and inserting
                                            ``has foundational skill
                                            needs;''; and
                                                (cc) in item (bb), by
                                            striking ``an English language
                                            learner'' and inserting ``is an
                                            English learner''; and
                                        (II) in subclause (V), by striking
                                    ``(42 U.S.C. 14043e-2(6))'' and
                                    inserting ``(34 U.S.C. 12473(6))''.
                        (C) Definition of in-school youth.--Clause (iv) of
                    section 129(a)(1)(C) of the Workforce Innovation and
                    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1)(C)) is amended--
                                (i) in subclause (I), by striking ``Basic
                            skills deficient.'' and inserting ``An
                            individual who has foundational skill needs.'';
                                (ii) in subclause (II), by striking
                            ``language'';
                                (iii) by striking subclauses (III) and
                            (IV); and
                                (iv) by redesignating subclauses (V), (VI),
                            and (VII) as subclauses (III), (IV), and (V),
                            respectively.
                        (D) Rule for certain out-of-school youth.--Section
                    129(a)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
                    Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the
                    end the following:
                        ``(D) Rule for certain out-of-school youth.--An
                    out-of-school youth described in subclause (IV) or (V)
                    of subparagraph (B)(iii) who is attending any school
                    (as defined under State law) shall be eligible to
                    participate in any activity for in-school youth carried
                    out under this chapter.''.
                (2) Exception and limitation.--Section 129(a)(3) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(3))
            is amended--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``5'' and
                    inserting ``10''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) by striking ``5'' and inserting ``10'';
                            and
                                (ii) by striking ``paragraph
                            (1)(C)(iv)(VII)'' and inserting ``paragraph
                            (1)(C)(iv)(V)''.
                (3) Out-of-school youth priority.--Section 129(a)(4) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(a)(4))
            is amended--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                                (i) by striking ``75'' each place it
                            appears and inserting ``70'';
                                (ii) by inserting ``the total amount of''
                            before ``funds available''; and
                                (iii) by inserting ``in the State'' after
                            ``subsection (c)'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``75'' and
                    inserting ``70'';
                        (C) by redesignating subparagraph (B), as so
                    amended, as subparagraph (C); and
                        (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
                    following:
                        ``(B) Local area targets.--The local board, the
                    chief elected official, and the Governor shall
                    negotiate and reach agreement on the minimum amount of
                    funds provided to a local area under subsection (c)
                    that shall be used to provide youth workforce
                    investment activities for out-of-school youth based on
                    the needs of the youth in the local area, which--
                                ``(i) may not be an amount that is less
                            than 45 percent of the funds provided to such
                            local area under subsection (c); and
                                ``(ii) shall be the amount that is
                            necessary for the State to meet the
                            requirements of subparagraph (A) with respect
                            to the total amount of funds available for
                            local areas under subsection (c).''.
        (b) Required Statewide Youth Activities.--Section 129(b)(1) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(b)(1)) is
    amended--
                (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
            ``sections 128(a)'' and inserting ``sections 128(a)(1)'';
                (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``through a website
            that is consumer-tested to ensure that the website is easily
            understood, searchable, and navigable and allows for comparison
            of eligible providers based on the program elements offered by
            such providers and the performance of such providers on the
            primary indicators of performance for the youth program as
            described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii)'' after ``under section
            123''; and
                (3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``section 116(i)'' and
            inserting ``section 116(j)''.
        (c) Allowable Statewide Youth Activities.--Section 129(b)(2) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(b)(2)) is
    amended--
                (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
            ``sections 128(a)'' and inserting ``sections 128(a)(1)'';
                (2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, which may include
            providing guidance on career options in in-demand industry
            sectors or occupations'' after ``in the State'';
                (3) in subparagraph (D)--
                        (A) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    and
                        (B) by inserting after clause (v) the following:
                                ``(vi) supporting the ability to understand
                            relevant tax information and obligations;'';
                (4) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end
            and inserting a semicolon; and
                (5) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(F) establishing, supporting, and expanding work-
                    based learning opportunities (including transitional
                    jobs and work-based learning opportunities designed for
                    youth to develop and gain experience using emerging
                    technologies, including artificial intelligence, in the
                    workplace) that are aligned with career pathways;
                        ``(G) raising public awareness (including through
                    public service announcements, such as social media
                    campaigns and elementary and secondary school showcases
                    and school visits) about career and technical education
                    programs and community-based and youth services
                    organizations, and other endeavors focused on programs
                    that prepare students for in-demand industry sectors or
                    occupations;
                        ``(H) developing partnerships between educational
                    institutions (including area career and technical
                    schools and institutions of higher education) and
                    employers to create or improve workforce development
                    programs to address the identified education and skill
                    needs of the workforce (including the skills needed to
                    use emerging technology tools and systems in the
                    workplace) and the employment needs of employers in the
                    regions or local areas of the State, as determined
                    based on the most recent analysis conducted under
                    subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 102(b)(1);
                        ``(I) coordinating activities with providers of a
                    pre-apprenticeship program or apprenticeship program
                    for youth in the State to establish, support, or expand
                    the program described in this subparagraph, including
                    any such program in the State receiving assistance
                    under section 173;
                        ``(J) coordinating activities with entities
                    implementing reentry projects in the State focused on
                    establishing or improving workforce development
                    programs for juvenile offenders, including any such
                    reentry projects in the State receiving assistance
                    under section 172; and
                        ``(K) coordinating activities with agencies
                    implementing corrections education and other education
                    programs in the State focused on providing incarcerated
                    youth with education and skills development programs,
                    including any such programs in the State receiving
                    assistance under section 225.''.
        (d) Local Elements and Requirements.--
                (1) Program design.--Section 129(c)(1) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)(1)) is
            amended--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``basic
                    skills'' and inserting ``foundational skill needs'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``(which, in
                    the case of a participant 18 years or older, may
                    include co-enrollment in any employment or training
                    activity provided under section 134 for adults)'' after
                    ``services for the participant'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (C)--
                                (i) in clause (i), by striking ``secondary
                            school diploma or its recognized equivalent''
                            and inserting ``regular high school diploma or
                            its recognized equivalent''; and
                                (ii) in clause (v), by inserting ``high-
                            skill, high-wage, or'' after ``small employers,
                            in''; and
                        (D) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``10'' and
                    inserting ``30''.
                (2) Program elements.--Section 129(c)(2) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)(2)) is
            amended--
                        (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
                    striking ``secondary school diploma or its recognized
                    equivalent'' and inserting ``regular high school
                    diploma or its recognized equivalent'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``secondary
                    school diploma or its recognized equivalent'' and
                    inserting ``regular high school diploma or its
                    recognized equivalent'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (C)--
                                (i) in clause (i)--
                                        (I) by striking ``other'' and
                                    inserting ``year-round''; and
                                        (II) by inserting ``that meet the
                                    requirements of paragraph (10)'' after
                                    ``school year'';
                                (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ``and
                            apprenticeship programs that serve youth''
                            after ``programs'';
                                (iii) by amending clause (iii) to read as
                            follows:
                                ``(iii) internships that--
                                        ``(I) are paid internships or are
                                    unpaid internships for which academic
                                    credit may be awarded;
                                        ``(II) are, to the extent
                                    practicable, aligned with in-demand
                                    industry sectors or occupations in the
                                    State or local area; and
                                        ``(III) for which participants
                                    shall be paid (by the entity providing
                                    the internship, through funds allocated
                                    to the local area pursuant to paragraph
                                    (1) for the program, or by another
                                    entity) if such internships are longer
                                    than--
                                                ``(aa) 4 weeks in the
                                            summer or 8 weeks during the
                                            school year for in-school youth
                                            and out-of-school youth who are
                                            enrolled in school; or
                                                ``(bb) 8 weeks for out-of-
                                            school youth who are not
                                            enrolled in school;'';
                                (iv) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause
                            (v);
                                (v) by inserting after clause (iii), as so
                            amended, the following:
                                ``(iv) job shadowing;'';
                                (vi) in clause (v), as so redesignated, by
                            inserting ``and'' at the end; and
                                (vii) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(vi) work-based learning;'';
                        (D) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``adult
                    mentoring'' and inserting ``coaching and adult
                    mentoring services'';
                        (E) in subparagraph (I), by inserting ``(including
                    case management)'' after ``services'';
                        (F) in subparagraph (M)--
                                (i) by inserting ``high-skill, high-wage,
                            or'' before ``in-demand industry''; and
                                (ii) by striking the ``and'' at the end;
                        (G) in subparagraph (N), by striking the period at
                    the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                        (H) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(O) activities to develop fundamental workforce
                    readiness, which may include creativity, collaboration,
                    critical thinking, digital literacy, persistence, and
                    other relevant skills.''.
                (3) Priority.--Section 129(c)(4) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)(4)) is
            amended to read as follows:
                ``(4) Priority.--
                        ``(A) Work experiences.--Not less than 40 percent
                    of the funds allocated to the local area as described
                    in paragraph (1) shall be used to provide in-school
                    youth and out-of-school youth with activities under
                    paragraph (2)(C).
                        ``(B) Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships for
                    youth.--Not less than 12 and 1/2 percent of the funds
                    used for the purposes described in subparagraph (A)
                    shall be used to provide in-school youth and out-of-
                    school youth with activities under paragraph
                    (2)(C)(ii).''.
                (4) Rule of construction.--Section 129(c)(5) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)(5))
            is amended by inserting ``or local area'' after ``youth
            services''.
                (5) Linkages.--Section 129(c)(7) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)(7)) is
            amended by inserting ``, secondary schools, and area career and
            technical schools'' after ``agencies''.
                (6) Individual training accounts.--Section 129(c) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)) is
            amended by adding at the end the following:
                ``(9) Individual training accounts.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B),
                    funds allocated pursuant to paragraph (1) to a local
                    area may be used to pay, through an individual training
                    account, an eligible provider of training services
                    described in section 122(d) for training services
                    described in section 134(c)(3) provided to in-school
                    youth who are not younger than age 16 and not older
                    than age 21 and out-of-school youth, in the same manner
                    that an individual training account is used to pay an
                    eligible provider of training services under section
                    134(c)(3)(F)(iii) for training services provided to an
                    adult or dislocated worker.
                        ``(B) Special rule for in-school youth younger than
                    age 18.--To use an individual training account to pay
                    for a program of training services that will take place
                    during regular school hours for an in-school youth who
                    is younger than the age 18, the local area shall
                    receive written approval from the secondary school at
                    which the in-school youth is enrolled prior to the
                    start of the program of training services.''.
                (7) Summer and year-round employment opportunities
            requirements.--Section 129(c) of the Workforce Innovation and
            Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)) is further amended by
            adding at the end the following:
                ``(10) Summer and year-round employment opportunities
            requirements.--
                        ``(A) In general.--A summer employment opportunity
                    or a year-round employment opportunity referred to in
                    paragraph (2)(C)(i) shall be a program that matches
                    eligible youth participating in such program with an
                    appropriate employer (based on factors including the
                    needs of the employer and the age, skill, and informed
                    aspirations of the eligible youth) that--
                                ``(i) shall include--
                                        ``(I) a component of occupational
                                    skills education; and
                                        ``(II) not less than 2 of the
                                    activities described in subparagraphs
                                    (G), (H), (I), (K), (M), and (O) of
                                    paragraph (2);
                                ``(ii) may not use funds allocated under
                            this chapter to subsidize more than 50 percent
                            of the wages of each eligible youth participant
                            in such program;
                                ``(iii) in the case of a summer employment
                            opportunity, complies with the requirements of
                            subparagraph (B); and
                                ``(iv) in the case of a year-round
                            employment opportunity, complies with the
                            requirements of subparagraph (C).
                        ``(B) Summer employment opportunity.--In addition
                    to the applicable requirements described in
                    subparagraph (A), a summer employment opportunity--
                                ``(i) may not be less than 4 weeks; and
                                ``(ii) may not pay less than the highest
                            applicable wage required by the applicable
                            Federal, State, or local minimum wage law.
                        ``(C) Year-round employment opportunity.--In
                    addition to the applicable requirements described in
                    subparagraph (A), a year-round employment opportunity--
                                ``(i) may not be shorter than 180 days or
                            longer than 1 year;
                                ``(ii) may not pay less than the highest
                            applicable wage required by the applicable
                            Federal, State, or local minimum wage law; and
                                ``(iii) may not employ the eligible youth
                            for less than 20 hours per week, except in
                            instances when the eligible youth are under the
                            age of 18 or enrolled in school.
                        ``(D) Priority.--In selecting summer employment
                    opportunities or year-round employment opportunities
                    for purposes of paragraph (2)(C)(i), a local area shall
                    give priority to such opportunities that meet the
                    requirements of this paragraph and that are in existing
                    or emerging high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand
                    industry sectors or occupations.''.
                (8) Conforming amendment.--Section 129(c)(3)(B) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
            3164(c)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ``basic skills'' and
            inserting ``foundational skill needs''.

        CHAPTER 3--ADULT AND DISLOCATED WORKER EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
                                   ACTIVITIES

    SEC. 141. STATE ALLOTMENTS.

        Section 132(a)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
    Act (29 U.S.C. 3172(a)(2)(A)) is amended by--
                (1) striking ``, 169(c) (relating to dislocated worker
            projects),''; and
                (2) by inserting ``, and under subsections (c) (related to
            dislocated worker projects) and (d) (related to workforce data
            quality initiatives) of section 169'' before ``; and''

    SEC. 142. RESERVATIONS FOR STATE ACTIVITIES; WITHIN STATE ALLOCATIONS;
                  REALLOCATION.

        (a) Reservations for State Activities.--Section 133(a) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3173(a)) is
    amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``section 128(a)'' and
            inserting ``section 128(a)(1)''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(3) Critical industry skills fund, and industry or sector
            partnership and career pathways fund.--In addition to the
            reservations required under paragraphs (1) and (2), the
            Governor may make the reservation authorized under section
            128(a)(3).''.
        (b) Within State Allocations.--Section 133(b)(1) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3173(b)) is amended--
                (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)''
            and inserting ``paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (a)''; and
                (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``paragraph (1) or (2)
            of subsection (a)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1), (2), or (3)
            of subsection (a)''.
        (c) Reallocation Among Local Areas.--Section 133(c) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3173(c)) is
    amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the period at the
            end, the following: ``as performance-based incentive
            payments'';
                (2) in paragraph (4)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                                (i) by striking ``that does not'' and
                            inserting the following: ``that--
                                ``(i) does not'';
                                (ii) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
                            semicolon; and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(ii) has met or exceeded an average of
                            100 percent of the local level of performance
                            described in section 116(c)(1)(B) for the local
                            area across all indicators for the adult
                            program authorized under this chapter for the
                            most recent program year for which performance
                            data is available; and
                                ``(iii) was not subject to corrective
                            action by the Governor under section
                            184(a)(5)(A) for a determination of non-
                            compliance with the uniform administrative
                            requirements described in section 184(a)(3) for
                            the program year for which the determination
                            under paragraph (2) is made; and''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) by striking ``that does not'' and
                            inserting the following: ``that--
                                ``(i) does not'';
                                (ii) by striking the period at the end and
                            inserting a semicolon; and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(ii) has met or exceeded an average of
                            100 percent of the local level of performance
                            described in section 116(c)(1)(B) for the local
                            area across all indicators for the dislocated
                            worker program authorized under this chapter
                            for the most recent program year for which
                            performance data is available; and
                                ``(iii) was not subject to corrective
                            action by the Governor under section
                            184(a)(5)(A) for a determination of non-
                            compliance with the uniform administrative
                            requirements described in section 184(a)(3) for
                            the program year for which the determination
                            under paragraph (2) is made; and''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(5) Use of incentive funds.--Any amounts provided to a
            local area as a performance incentive payment under this
            subsection shall not be subject to the requirements described
            in section 134(c)(1)(B).''.

    SEC. 143. USE OF FUNDS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES.

        (a) Statewide Employment and Training Activities.--
                (1) In general.--Section 134(a)(1) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(1))--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
                    end;
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
                            striking ``128(a)'' and inserting
                            ``128(a)(1)''; and
                                (ii) by amending clause (ii) to read as
                            follows:
                                ``(ii) may be used to carry out any of the
                            statewide employment and training activities
                            described in paragraph (3) (including
                            establishing and administering any one, or
                            both, of the funds referred to in subparagraph
                            (C));''; and
                        (C) by inserting before the flush left text at the
                    end the following:
                        ``(C) as described in section 128(a)(3), shall be
                    used to establish and administer any one, or both, of
                    the following:
                                ``(i) a critical industry skills fund
                            described in paragraph (4); or
                                ``(ii) an industry or sector partnership
                            and career pathways development fund described
                            in paragraph (5),''.
                (2) Required statewide employment and training
            activities.--
                        (A) Statewide rapid response activities.--Section
                    134(a)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and
                    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(2)(A)) is amended--
                                (i) in clause (i)--
                                        (I) in subclause (I)--
                                                (aa) by striking
                                            ``working'' and inserting ``as
                                            a rapid response unit
                                            working''; and
                                                (bb) by striking ``and'' at
                                            the end;
                                        (II) in subclause (II), by striking
                                    the period at the end and inserting ``;
                                    and''; and
                                        (III) by adding at the end the
                                    following:
                                        ``(III) provision of additional
                                    assistance to any local area that has
                                    excess demand for individual training
                                    accounts for dislocated workers in such
                                    local area and requests such additional
                                    assistance under this subclause in
                                    accordance with paragraph (4) of
                                    section 414(c) of the American
                                    Competitiveness and Workforce
                                    Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C.
                                    3224a(5)), upon a determination by the
                                    State that, in using funds allocated to
                                    such local area pursuant to paragraph
                                    (1) of such section 414(c) and in using
                                    funds as required under subsection
                                    (c)(1)(B) of this section for the
                                    purpose described in paragraph (2)(A)
                                    of such section 414(c)), the local area
                                    is in compliance with the requirements
                                    of such section 414(c).''; and
                                (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(iii) Insufficient funds to meet excess
                            demand.--If a State determines that a local
                            area with excess demand as described in clause
                            (i)(III) has met the compliance requirements
                            described in such clause, but the State does
                            not have sufficient funds reserved under
                            section 133(a)(2) to meet such excess demand,
                            the State--
                                        ``(I) shall notify the Secretary of
                                    such excess demand; and
                                        ``(II) if eligible, may apply for a
                                    national dislocated worker grant under
                                    section 170 of this Act.''.
                        (B) Statewide employment and training activities.--
                    Section 134(a)(2)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and
                    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(2)(B) is amended--
                                (i) in clause (i)--
                                        (I) in subclause (III), by striking
                                    ``and'' at the end;
                                        (II) by amending subclause (IV) to
                                    read as follows:
                                        ``(IV) local areas, one-stop
                                    operators, one-stop partners, and
                                    eligible providers, including the
                                    development and training of staff,
                                    which may include--
                                                ``(aa) the development and
                                            training of staff to provide
                                            information about wage levels
                                            and available benefits across
                                            in-demand industry sectors or
                                            occupations, and information
                                            about opportunities for
                                            individuals with barriers to
                                            employment to enter in-demand
                                            industry sectors or occupations
                                            and nontraditional occupations;
                                                ``(bb) providing capacity
                                            building and technical
                                            assistance to State board and
                                            local board members on the
                                            development of exemplary
                                            program activities;
                                                ``(cc) the development and
                                            education of staff to increase
                                            expertise in providing
                                            opportunities for covered
                                            veterans (as defined in section
                                            4212(a)(3)(A) of title 38,
                                            United States Code) to enter
                                            in-demand industry sectors or
                                            occupations and nontraditional
                                            occupations: and
                                                ``(dd) the provision of
                                            technical assistance to local
                                            areas that fail to meet local
                                            performance accountability
                                            measures described in section
                                            116(c); and''; and
                                        (III) by adding at the end the
                                    following:
                                        ``(V) local boards and eligible
                                    providers of training services in
                                    carrying out the performance reporting
                                    required under section 116(d),
                                    including facilitating data matches for
                                    program participants--
                                                ``(aa) using quarterly wage
                                            record information (including
                                            the wage records made available
                                            by any other State and
                                            information provided from the
                                            National Directory of New Hires
                                            in accordance with section
                                            453(j)(8) of the Social
                                            Security Act (42 U.S.C.
                                            653(j)(8))); and
                                                ``(bb) other sources of
                                            information, as necessary to
                                            measure the performance of
                                            programs and activities
                                            conducted under this chapter or
                                            chapter 2 of this subtitle;'';
                                (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``section
                            106(b)(7)'' and inserting ``section
                            106(b)(6)'';
                                (iii) in clause (iii), by striking
                            ``section 116(i)'' and inserting ``section
                            116(j)''; and
                                (iv) in clause (v)--
                                        (I) in subclause (II)--
                                                (aa) by striking
                                            ``customized training'' and
                                            inserting ``employer-directed
                                            skills development''; and
                                                (bb) by striking
                                            ``transitional jobs'' and
                                            inserting ``transitional jobs,
                                            or sponsors of apprenticeships
                                            and pre-apprenticeships'';
                                        (II) in subclause (III), by
                                    inserting ``, including business
                                    engaged in joint labor-management
                                    partnerships'' before the semicolon;
                                        (III) by redesignating subclauses
                                    (V) and (VI) as subclauses (VI) and
                                    (VII), respectively;
                                        (IV) by inserting after subclause
                                    (IV) the following:
                                        ``(V) information on effective
                                    coordination of supportive services for
                                    workers and jobseekers;'';
                                        (V) in subclause (VI), as so
                                    redesignated--
                                                (aa) by striking
                                            ``subsections (d) and (h) of
                                            section 122'' and inserting
                                            ``subsections (d) and (i) of
                                            section 122''; and
                                                (bb) by striking ``and'' at
                                            the end; and
                                        (VI) by adding at the end the
                                    following:
                                        ``(VIII) information to
                                    participants on understanding and
                                    accessing State-administered programs
                                    and services available to
                                    jobseekers;'';
                                (v) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause
                            (vii);
                                (vi) by inserting after clause (v) the
                            following:
                                ``(vi) notifying participants of an
                            eligible program of training services whose
                            participation is funded under this Act, if such
                            program's status as an eligible program of
                            training services is revoked under section
                            122(c)(4);'';
                                (vii) in clause (vii), as so redesignated,
                            by striking the period at the end and inserting
                            a semicolon; and
                                (viii) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(viii) coordinating (which may be done in
                            partnership with other States) with industry
                            organizations, employers (including small and
                            mid-sized employers), industry or sector
                            partnerships, training providers, local boards,
                            and institutions of higher education to
                            identify or develop competency-based
                            assessments that are a valid and reliable
                            method of collecting information with respect
                            to, and measuring, the prior knowledge, skills,
                            and abilities of individuals who are adults or
                            dislocated workers for the purpose of--
                                        ``(I) awarding, based on the
                                    knowledge, skills, and abilities of
                                    such an individual validated by such
                                    assessments--
                                                ``(aa) a recognized
                                            postsecondary credential that
                                            is used by employers in the
                                            State for recruitment, hiring,
                                            retention, or advancement
                                            purposes;
                                                ``(bb) postsecondary credit
                                            toward a recognized
                                            postsecondary credential
                                            aligned with in-demand industry
                                            sectors and occupations in the
                                            State for the purpose of
                                            accelerating attainment of such
                                            credential; and
                                                ``(cc) postsecondary credit
                                            for progress along a career
                                            pathway developed by the State
                                            or a local area within the
                                            State;
                                        ``(II) developing individual
                                    employment plans under subsection
                                    (c)(2)(B)(vii)(II) that incorporate the
                                    knowledge, skills, and abilities of
                                    such an individual to identify--
                                                ``(aa) in-demand industry
                                            sectors or occupations that
                                            require similar knowledge,
                                            skills, and abilities; and
                                                ``(bb) any upskilling
                                            needed for the individual to
                                            secure employment in such a
                                            sector or occupation; and
                                        ``(III) helping such an individual
                                    communicate such knowledge, skills, and
                                    abilities to prospective employers
                                    through a skills-based resume, profile,
                                    or portfolio; and
                                ``(ix) disseminating to local areas and
                            employers information relating to the
                            competency-based assessments identified or
                            developed pursuant to clause (viii),
                            including--
                                        ``(I) any credential or credit
                                    awarded pursuant to items (aa) through
                                    (cc) of clause (viii)(I);
                                        ``(II) the industry organizations,
                                    employers, training providers, and
                                    institutions of higher education
                                    located within the State that recognize
                                    the knowledge, skills, and abilities of
                                    an individual validated by such
                                    assessments;
                                        ``(III) how such assessments may be
                                    provided to, and accessed by,
                                    individuals through the one-stop
                                    delivery system; and
                                        ``(IV) information on the extent to
                                    which such assessments are being used
                                    by employers and local areas in the
                                    State.''.
                (3) Allowable statewide employment and training
            activities.--Section 134(a)(3)(A) of the Workforce Innovation
            and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(3)(A))--
                        (A) in clause (i)--
                                (i) by inserting ``or evidence-based''
                            after ``innovative'';
                                (ii) by inserting ``local communities and''
                            after ``needs of'';
                                (iii) by striking ``customized training''
                            and inserting ``employer-directed skills
                            development'';
                                (iv) by inserting ``and partnerships with''
                            after ``utilization of'';
                                (v) by inserting ``and labor-management
                            partnerships'' after ``business
                            intermediaries''; and
                                (vi) by inserting ``and medium-sized''
                            before ``employers) in the State, and'';
                        (B) in clause (ii)--
                                (i) by inserting ``, or bringing evidence-
                            based strategies to scale,'' after
                            ``strategies''; and
                                (ii) by inserting ``supporting such
                            individuals in achieving economic self-
                            sufficiency and mobility, and'' after
                            ``employment and'';
                        (C) in clause (iii)--
                                (i) by striking `` and prior learning
                            assessment to'' and inserting ``, prior
                            learning assessment, or a competency-based
                            assessment identified or developed by the State
                            under paragraph (2)(B)(viii), to''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``stackable'' and
                            inserting ``permit articulation into higher
                            level degree or other credential programs'';
                        (D) in clause (iv), by inserting ``, which may
                    include on-the job training, employer-directed skills
                    development, transitional jobs, industry or sector
                    partnerships, apprenticeships, and other programs''
                    after ``employment'';
                        (E) in clause (viii)--
                                (i) in subclause (I), by inserting ``,
                            including such activities funded through other
                            Federal and State laws'' after ``development
                            activities''; and
                                (ii) in subclause (II)--
                                        (I) in item (cc), by inserting
                                    ``activities carried out by
                                    comprehensive transition and
                                    postsecondary programs for students
                                    with intellectual disabilities
                                    established under section 767 of the
                                    Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                                    1140g),'' after ``developmental
                                    disabilities,'';
                                        (II) in item (dd), by striking
                                    ``activities, including those'' and
                                    inserting ``activities and services to
                                    promote digital literacy skills,
                                    including activities and services'';
                                        (III) by adding at the end the
                                    following:
                                                ``(gg) programs under the
                                            Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
                                            U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) that
                                            support employment and economic
                                            security; and'';
                        (F) in clause (xi), by inserting ``that exceed the
                    local levels of performance'' after ``local areas'';
                        (G) in clause (xiii), by striking ``and'' at the
                    end;
                        (H) in clause (xiv)--
                                (i) by inserting ``conducting feasibility
                            studies for the effectiveness of such
                            strategies in meeting the employment and skills
                            development needs of target populations in the
                            local areas that are using such feasibility
                            studies,'' after ``data collection,''; and
                                (ii) by striking the period at the end and
                            inserting a semicolon; and
                        (I) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(xv) supporting employers seeking to
                            implement skills-based hiring practices, which
                            may include technical assistance on the use and
                            validation of employment assessments (including
                            competency-based assessments developed or
                            identified by the State pursuant to paragraph
                            (2)(B)(viii)), and support in the creation of
                            skills-based job descriptions;
                                ``(xvi) developing partnerships between
                            educational institutions (including area career
                            and technical education schools, local
                            educational agencies, and institutions of
                            higher education) and employers to create or
                            improve workforce development programs to
                            address the identified education and skill
                            needs of the workforce and the employment needs
                            of employers in regions of the State, as
                            determined by the most recent analysis
                            conducted under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D)
                            of section 102(b)(1);
                                ``(xvii) identifying and making available
                            to residents of the State, free or reduced cost
                            access to online skills development programs
                            that are aligned with in-demand industries or
                            occupations in the State and lead to attainment
                            of a recognized postsecondary credential valued
                            by employers in such industries or occupations;
                                ``(xviii) establishing and administering a
                            critical industry skills fund described in
                            paragraph (4); and
                                ``(xix) establishing and administering an
                            industry or sector partnership and career
                            pathways development fund described in
                            paragraph (5).''.
                (4) Critical industry skills fund.--Section 134(a) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)),
            as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the
            following:
                ``(4) Critical industry skills fund.--
                        ``(A) Performance-based payments.--In addition to
                    the funds described in paragraph (3)(A), a State may
                    use any funds reserved under paragraph (3)(A) of
                    section 128(a) to establish and administer a critical
                    industry skills fund to award performance-based
                    payments on a per-worker basis to eligible entities
                    that provide, to prospective workers or incumbent
                    workers (which may include youth age 18 through age
                    24), eligible skills development programs that are in
                    any of the industries and occupations identified by the
                    Governor (in consultation with the State board) for
                    purposes of this paragraph, and that will result in
                    employment or retention with an employer in such an
                    industry or occupation (in this paragraph referred to
                    as a `participating employer').
                        ``(B) Optional priority.--The Governor (in
                    consultation with the State board) may select the
                    industries and occupations identified under
                    subparagraph (A) that should be prioritized under this
                    paragraph.
                        ``(C) Submission of proposals.--To be eligible to
                    receive a payment under the critical industry skills
                    fund established under this paragraph by a State, an
                    eligible entity shall submit to the Governor, a
                    proposal describing the eligible skills development
                    program to be provided by the eligible entity under
                    this paragraph, in such form, at such time, and
                    containing such information, as the Governor may
                    reasonably require.
                        ``(D) Reimbursement for approved proposals.--
                                ``(i) State requirements.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--With respect to
                                    each eligible entity whose proposal
                                    under subparagraph (C) has been
                                    approved by the Governor, the Governor
                                    shall make payments (in an amount
                                    determined by the Governor and subject
                                    to the requirements of subclause (II)
                                    of this clause, subparagraph (E), and
                                    any other limitations determined
                                    necessary by the State) from the
                                    critical industry skills fund
                                    established under this paragraph to
                                    such eligible entity for each
                                    participant of the eligible skills
                                    development program described in such
                                    proposal and with respect to whom the
                                    eligible entity meets the requirements
                                    of clause (ii).
                                        ``(II) Payments.--In making
                                    payments to an eligible entity under
                                    subclause (I) with respect to a
                                    participant--
                                                ``(aa) a portion of the
                                            total payment shall be made
                                            after the participant
                                            successfully completes the
                                            eligible skills development
                                            program offered by the eligible
                                            entity; and
                                                ``(bb) the remainder of
                                            such total payment shall be
                                            made after the participant has
                                            been employed by the
                                            participating employer of the
                                            eligible entity for the 6-month
                                            period after successful
                                            completion of the program.
                                ``(ii) Eligible entity requirements.--To be
                            eligible to receive the payments described in
                            clause (i) with respect to a participant, an
                            eligible entity shall submit such documentation
                            as the Governor determines necessary to verify
                            whether the participant meets the requirements
                            of items (aa) and (bb) of clause (i)(II), and
                            to comply with the performance reporting
                            described in subparagraph (F).
                        ``(E) Non-federal cost sharing.--
                                ``(i) Limits on federal share.--An eligible
                            entity may not receive funds under subparagraph
                            (D) with respect to a participant of the
                            eligible skills development program offered by
                            the eligible entity in excess of the following
                            costs of such program with respect to such
                            participant:
                                        ``(I) In the case of a
                                    participating employer of such eligible
                                    entity with 25 or fewer employees, 90
                                    percent of the costs.
                                        ``(II) In the case of a
                                    participating employer of such eligible
                                    entity with more than 25 employees, but
                                    fewer than 100 employees, 75 percent of
                                    the costs.
                                        ``(III) In the case of a
                                    participating employer of such eligible
                                    entity with 100 or more employees, 50
                                    percent of the costs.
                                ``(ii) Non-federal share.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--Any costs of the
                                    eligible skills development program
                                    offered to a participant by such
                                    eligible entity that are not covered by
                                    the funds received under subparagraph
                                    (D) shall be the non-Federal share
                                    provided by the eligible entity (in
                                    cash or in-kind).
                                        ``(II) Employer cost sharing.--If
                                    the eligible skills development program
                                    is being provided on-the-job, the non-
                                    Federal share provided by an eligible
                                    entity may include the amount of the
                                    wages paid by the participating
                                    employer of the eligible entity to a
                                    participant while such participant is
                                    receiving the training.
                        ``(F) Performance reporting.--Using the participant
                    information provided by eligible entities under
                    subparagraph (D)(ii), the State shall submit to the
                    Secretary a report, on an annual basis, with respect to
                    all participants for which the eligible entities
                    received funds under this paragraph for the most recent
                    program year, which shall include--
                                ``(i) the number of individuals who
                            participated in eligible skills development
                            programs provided by such eligible entities
                            through the critical industry skills fund under
                            this paragraph; and
                                ``(ii) the performance of such participants
                            on the primary indicators of performance
                            described in subclauses (I) through (III) of
                            section 116(b)(2)(A)(i).
                        ``(G) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                                ``(i) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible
                            entity' means--
                                        ``(I) a participating employer or a
                                    group of participating employers;
                                        ``(II) an industry or sector
                                    partnership that includes a
                                    participating employer; or
                                        ``(III) another entity serving as
                                    an intermediary (such as a local board)
                                    that is in partnership with a
                                    participating employer.
                                ``(ii) Eligible skills development
                            program.--The term `eligible skills development
                            program', when used with respect to an eligible
                            entity--
                                        ``(I) means a program with respect
                                    to which a State may set a maximum and
                                    minimum length (in weeks);
                                        ``(II) includes work-based
                                    education or related occupational
                                    skills instruction that--
                                                ``(aa) develops the
                                            specific technical skills
                                            necessary for successful
                                            performance of the occupations
                                            in which participants are to be
                                            employed upon completion; and
                                                ``(bb) may be provided--

                                                        ``(AA) by the
                                                    eligible entity; or

                                                        ``(BB) by any
                                                    training provider that
                                                    is selected by the
                                                    eligible entity and
                                                    without regard to
                                                    whether such provider
                                                    is on a list of
                                                    eligible providers of
                                                    training services
                                                    described in section
                                                    122(d); and

                                        ``(III) does not include employee
                                    onboarding, orientation, or
                                    professional development generally
                                    provided to employees.''.
                (5) Industry or sector partnership and career pathways
            development fund.--Section 134(a) of the Workforce Innovation
            and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)), as amended, is further
            amended by adding at the end the following:
                ``(5) Industry or sector partnership and career pathways
            development fund.--
                        ``(A) Purpose.--The purpose of this paragraph is to
                    establish new or expand existing industry or sector
                    partnerships and career pathway programs to encourage
                    regional economic growth and competitiveness, and
                    improve worker training, retention, and advancement.
                        ``(B) Description of fund.--In addition to the
                    funds described in paragraph (3)(A), a State may use
                    any funds reserved under paragraph (3)(A) of section
                    128(a) to establish and administer an industry or
                    sector partnership and career pathways development fund
                    to award grants to eligible partnerships to establish
                    or expand industry or sector partnerships that include
                    employers in a high-growth or high-wage industry of the
                    State in order to meet the following objectives:
                                ``(i) Build capacity among such
                            partnerships to prepare jobseekers and
                            incumbent workers participating in such
                            partnerships for careers in such a high-growth
                            or high-wage industry.
                                ``(ii) Leverage the capacity of such
                            partnerships to develop, improve, expand, or
                            implement education, employment, and training
                            opportunities for individuals with barriers to
                            employment.
                                ``(iii) Strengthen coordination between
                            such industry or sector partnerships and one-
                            stop partners for the local areas involved that
                            are described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
                            section 121(b).
                                ``(iv) Develop or expand a career pathway
                            program that utilizes integrated education and
                            training strategies and supports multiple
                            points of entry and exit for working learners.
                        ``(C) Duration.--Each grant awarded under this
                    paragraph shall be for a period of not more than 2
                    years.
                        ``(D) Award basis.--
                                ``(i) Geographic diversity.--The Governor
                            shall award grants under this paragraph in a
                            manner that ensures geographic diversity in the
                            areas in the State in which activities will be
                            carried out under the grants.
                                ``(ii) Priority.--In awarding grants under
                            this paragraph, the Governor shall give
                            priority consideration to eligible partnerships
                            that--
                                        ``(I) include (or will include) as
                                    a partner in the industry or sector
                                    partnership to be established or
                                    expanded under this paragraph, a 2-year
                                    public institution of higher education;
                                        ``(II) demonstrate long-term
                                    sustainability of such industry or
                                    sector partnership; and
                                        ``(III) demonstrate the ability of
                                    such industry or sector partnership to
                                    serve individuals who--
                                                ``(aa) are individuals with
                                            a barrier to employment,
                                            including individuals with
                                            disabilities;
                                                ``(bb) are facing
                                            significant worker dislocation
                                            due to a disruption or change
                                            in the regional or State
                                            economy or labor market;
                                                ``(cc) have traditionally
                                            been underserved by regional
                                            economic development and sector
                                            partnership activities
                                            (including rural areas in the
                                            State); or
                                                ``(dd) are--

                                                        ``(AA) out-of-
                                                    school youth,
                                                    disadvantaged youth, or
                                                    disadvantaged adults;
                                                    or

                                                        ``(BB) unemployed
                                                    individuals, within the
                                                    meaning of section
                                                    6(b)(1)(B) of the
                                                    Wagner-Peyser Act (29
                                                    U.S.C. 49e(b)(1)(B)).

                                ``(iii) Additional optional priority.--In
                            awarding grants under this paragraph, in
                            addition to the priority consideration required
                            under clause (ii), the Governor may give
                            priority consideration to eligible partnerships
                            that include, or will include, as a partner in
                            the industry or sector partnership to be
                            established or expanded under this section--
                                        ``(I) a 4-year public institution
                                    of higher education at which the
                                    highest degree that is predominantly
                                    awarded to students is an associate
                                    degree; or
                                        ``(II) a 2-year Tribal College or
                                    University (as defined in section
                                    316(b) of the Higher Education Act of
                                    1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
                        ``(E) Application.--
                                ``(i) In general.--An eligible partnership
                            seeking a grant under this paragraph shall
                            submit an application to the Governor at such
                            time, in such manner, and containing such
                            information as the Governor may reasonably
                            require, including the contents described in
                            clause (ii).
                                ``(ii) Contents.--An eligible partnership
                            seeking a grant under this paragraph shall
                            submit an application to the Governor under
                            clause (i) containing, at minimum--
                                        ``(I) a description of the eligible
                                    partnership, and the industry or sector
                                    partnership that will be established or
                                    expanded with such grant;
                                        ``(II) the expected participation
                                    and responsibilities of each of the
                                    partners that will be included in such
                                    industry or sector partnership;
                                        ``(III) a description of the high-
                                    growth or high-wage industry sector to
                                    be served by such industry or sector
                                    partnership, and a description of how
                                    such industry sector was identified;
                                        ``(IV) a description of the workers
                                    and other individuals who will be
                                    targeted or recruited by such industry
                                    or sector partnership, including the
                                    number of workers and other individuals
                                    who will be served by the partnership;
                                        ``(V) an analysis of the existing
                                    labor market to be served by such
                                    industry or sector partnership, which
                                    includes--
                                                ``(aa) a description of
                                            potential barriers to
                                            employment for the targeted
                                            workers and other individuals;
                                                ``(bb) the estimated share
                                            of such workers and other
                                            individuals who are individuals
                                            with a barrier to employment;
                                            and
                                                ``(cc) a description of
                                            strategies that will be
                                            developed to help such workers
                                            and other individuals overcome
                                            such barriers;
                                        ``(VI) a description of the Federal
                                    and non-Federal resources, available
                                    under provisions of law other than this
                                    paragraph, that will be leveraged in
                                    support of such industry or sector
                                    partnership and the activities carried
                                    out by the partnership under this
                                    paragraph;
                                        ``(VII) a description, using
                                    common, linked, open-data descriptive
                                    language, of the recognized
                                    postsecondary credential that will be
                                    provided to individuals who
                                    successfully complete the education and
                                    training program provided through an
                                    education provider in such industry or
                                    sector partnership;
                                        ``(VIII) an assurance that any
                                    eligible provider of training services
                                    in such industry or sector partnership
                                    is on a list of eligible providers of
                                    training services described in section
                                    122(d); and
                                        ``(IX) a commitment from a
                                    participating employer in such industry
                                    or sector partnership to employ each
                                    participant of such education and
                                    training program (which may be a career
                                    pathway program) for not less than a 1-
                                    year period, in accordance with the
                                    employment policies of such employer,
                                    after successful completion of the
                                    training portion of the education and
                                    training program operated by such
                                    participating employer.
                        ``(F) Uses of funds.--
                                ``(i) In general.--An eligible partnership
                            awarded a grant under this paragraph shall use
                            such grant funds to establish a new industry or
                            sector partnership or expand the industry or
                            sector partnership of the eligible partnership
                            to meet the objectives listed in subparagraph
                            (B)--
                                        ``(I) by engaging businesses in
                                    accordance with clause (iii); and
                                        ``(II) by carrying out an education
                                    and training program that--
                                                ``(aa) leads to the
                                            recognized postsecondary
                                            credential described in the
                                            eligible partnership's
                                            application in subparagraph
                                            (E)(ii)(VII);
                                                ``(bb) includes an
                                            apprenticeship, work-based
                                            learning, or on-the-job
                                            training program that leads to
                                            an employment commitment
                                            described in subparagraph
                                            (E)(ii)(IX) with a
                                            participating employer of the
                                            industry or sector partnership;
                                                ``(cc) may include the
                                            development or expansion of a
                                            new or existing career pathway
                                            program as described in clause
                                            (iv); and
                                                ``(dd) may include the
                                            provision of supportive
                                            services as described in clause
                                            (v).
                                ``(ii) Planning activities.--An eligible
                            partnership receiving a grant under this
                            paragraph may use not more than 20 percent of
                            the grant funds to carry out planning
                            activities during the first year of the grant
                            period that are necessary to establish a new
                            industry or sector partnership or expand the
                            industry or sector partnership of the eligible
                            partnership, which may include--
                                        ``(I) recruiting key stakeholders
                                    in the high-growth or high-wage
                                    industry to be served by such industry
                                    or sector partnership;
                                        ``(II) conducting outreach to local
                                    businesses, employers, labor
                                    organizations, local boards, education
                                    and training providers, and business
                                    and employer associations;
                                        ``(III) identifying, through an
                                    evaluation, the training needs of
                                    multiple businesses in the high-growth
                                    or high-wage industry, including
                                    identifying any needs for--
                                                ``(aa) skills critical to
                                            competitiveness and innovation
                                            in the high-growth or high-wage
                                            industry;
                                                ``(bb) an education and
                                            training program, including any
                                            apprenticeship program or other
                                            work-based learning program
                                            supported by the grant; and
                                                ``(cc) the usage of career
                                            pathways to align education and
                                            training with job openings in
                                            the high-growth or high-wage
                                            industry; and
                                        ``(IV) recruiting individuals with
                                    barriers to employment to participate
                                    in the education and training program.
                                ``(iii) Business engagement.--An industry
                            or sector partnership established or expanded
                            with a grant under this paragraph shall use the
                            grant funds to engage businesses (including
                            small and medium-sized businesses that are in
                            the high-growth or high-wage industry and that
                            may be a participating employer of the
                            partnership) in the establishment and
                            implementation of an apprenticeship, work-based
                            learning, or on-the-job training program
                            offered through the education and training
                            program of the partnership, and which may
                            include--
                                        ``(I) the navigation of the
                                    registration process for a sponsor of
                                    such an apprenticeship program;
                                        ``(II) the connection of the
                                    business with an education provider in
                                    the industry or sector partnership to
                                    develop classroom instruction to
                                    complement learning through such an
                                    apprenticeship, work-based learning, or
                                    on-the-job training program;
                                        ``(III) the development of such a
                                    work-based learning program;
                                        ``(IV) the provision of career
                                    awareness activities for participants
                                    of such an apprenticeship, work-based
                                    learning, or on-the-job training
                                    program, such as career guidance and
                                    academic counseling;
                                        ``(V) the recruitment of
                                    individuals with barriers to employment
                                    to participate in such an
                                    apprenticeship, work-based learning, or
                                    on-the-job training program; and
                                        ``(VI) other evidence-based
                                    approaches to connecting businesses
                                    with workers and establishing pathways
                                    to unsubsidized employment for
                                    individuals participating in the
                                    education and training program and
                                    other programs funded under this title.
                                ``(iv) Career pathway programs.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--An industry or
                                    sector partnership established or
                                    expanded with a grant under this
                                    paragraph may use such grant funds for
                                    the development or expansion of a new
                                    or existing career pathway program that
                                    utilizes integrated education and
                                    training strategies and supports
                                    multiple entry and exit points for
                                    working students and other working
                                    participants, which may include--
                                                ``(aa) dual-enrollment
                                            approaches for participants,
                                            including youth, seeking to
                                            participate in a career pathway
                                            program; and
                                                ``(bb) strategies that help
                                            working students and other
                                            nontraditional and adult
                                            student populations access
                                            skills and the recognized
                                            postsecondary credentials
                                            described in subparagraph
                                            (E)(ii)(VII) of the eligible
                                            partnership's application.
                                        ``(II) Authorized activities.--In
                                    establishing or expanding such new or
                                    existing career pathway program, the
                                    industry or sector partnership may use
                                    a grant under this paragraph for--
                                                ``(aa) the provision of
                                            evidence-based professional
                                            development for faculty and
                                            other staff of an education
                                            provider in the industry or
                                            sector partnership;
                                                ``(bb) the acquisition of
                                            equipment necessary to support
                                            the delivery of the career
                                            pathway program; and
                                                ``(cc) any other evidence-
                                            based activities to support the
                                            development or implementation
                                            of the career pathway program.
                                ``(v) Supportive services.--In accordance
                            with section 181(h), an industry or sector
                            partnership established or expanded with a
                            grant under this paragraph may use such grant
                            funds to provide supportive services to support
                            the success of individuals, including
                            individuals with barriers to employment, who
                            are participating in training services, as
                            described in subsection (c)(3)(D), which are
                            offered through such partnership.
                        ``(G) Designation of a fiscal agent.--An eligible
                    partnership receiving a grant under this paragraph
                    shall designate an entity of the eligible partnership
                    as the fiscal agent for the receipt, management, and
                    expenditure of the grant funds.
                        ``(H) Non-federal cost sharing.--
                                ``(i) Limits on federal share.--An industry
                            or sector partnership established or expanded
                            with a grant under this paragraph may not
                            receive such grant funds for purposes of
                            funding the education and training program
                            offered through such partnership in excess of
                            the following costs of establishing, operating,
                            and sustaining such program:
                                        ``(I) In the case in which the
                                    participating employers in such
                                    eligible partnership employ 25 or fewer
                                    employees, 70 percent of the costs.
                                        ``(II) In the case in which the
                                    participating employers in such
                                    eligible partnership employ more than
                                    25 employees, but fewer than 100
                                    employees, 55 percent of the costs.
                                        ``(III) In the case in which the
                                    participating employers in such
                                    eligible partnership employ 100 or more
                                    employees, 40 percent of the costs.
                                ``(ii) Non-federal share.--Any costs of
                            establishing, operating, and sustaining such
                            program that are not covered by the grant
                            received under this paragraph shall be the non-
                            Federal share provided by the industry or
                            sector partnership.
                        ``(I) Performance reporting.--Not later than 2
                    years after the first award of funds under this
                    paragraph is made by the Governor and on an annual
                    basis thereafter, the Governor shall prepare and submit
                    to the Secretary a report with respect to the
                    participants served by each eligible partnership
                    receiving funds under this paragraph in the most recent
                    program year, which report shall include--
                                ``(i) levels of performance achieved by the
                            eligible partnership, with respect to the
                            primary indicators of performance under clause
                            (i) or (ii) of section 116(b)(2)(A), as
                            applicable, for all individuals served by the
                            eligible partnership, disaggregated by race,
                            ethnicity, sex, disability status, and age; and
                                ``(ii) levels of performance achieved by
                            the eligible partnership with respect to the
                            primary indicators of performance under clause
                            (i) or (ii) of section 116(b)(2)(A), as
                            applicable, for individuals with barriers to
                            employment served by the eligible partnership,
                            disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex,
                            disability status, and age.
                        ``(J) Availability of report.--The report submitted
                    by eligible partnerships under subparagraph (I) shall--
                                ``(i) be made digitally available by the
                            Secretary using linked, open, and interoperable
                            data; and
                                ``(ii) include the number of individuals
                            who were served by each such eligible
                            partnership.
                        ``(K) Limit on administrative costs.--An eligible
                    partnership receiving a grant under this paragraph may
                    not use more than 10 percent of the grant funds for
                    administrative costs.
                        ``(L) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                                ``(i) Eligible partnership.--The term
                            `eligible partnership' means--
                                        ``(I) an industry or sector
                                    partnership that--
                                                ``(aa) includes a
                                            participating employer; and
                                                ``(bb) is seeking to
                                            further implement or expand
                                            such industry or sector
                                            partnership; or
                                        ``(II) a workforce collaborative
                                    that is seeking to become an industry
                                    or sector partnership that includes a
                                    participating employer.
                                ``(ii) High-growth or high-wage industry.--
                            The term `high-growth or high-wage industry',
                            when used with respect to an eligible
                            partnership, means an industry that--
                                        ``(I) has, or is expected to have,
                                    a high rate of growth and an unmet
                                    demand for skilled workers, as
                                    determined by the Governor of the State
                                    in which the eligible partnership is
                                    located;
                                        ``(II) has been designated by the
                                    Governor as an in-demand industry
                                    experiencing high growth in such State;
                                    and
                                        ``(III) includes occupations
                                    determined by the Governor--
                                                ``(aa) with wages that are
                                            significantly higher than an
                                            occupation of similar level of
                                            skill or needed skill
                                            development; or
                                                ``(bb) that are aligned
                                            with career pathways into
                                            higher wage occupations.
                                ``(iii) Participating employer.--The term
                            `participating employer', when used with
                            respect to an eligible partnership, means an
                            employer in a high-growth or high-wage industry
                            that is (or will be) part of the industry or
                            sector partnership that will be expanded (or
                            established) by the eligible partnership under
                            this paragraph.''.
        (b) Required Local Employment and Training Activities.--
                (1) Minimum amount for skills development.--Section
            134(c)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
            U.S.C. 3174(c)(1)) is amended--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A)(iv), by striking ``to'' and
                    inserting ``to provide business services described in
                    paragraph (4) and'';
                        (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
                    subparagraph (C); and
                        (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A), as so
                    amended, the following:
                        ``(B) Minimum amount for skills development.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
                            not less than 50 percent of the funds described
                            in subparagraph (A) shall be used by the local
                            area--
                                        ``(I) for the payment of training
                                    services--
                                                ``(aa) provided to adults
                                            under paragraph (3)(F)(iii);
                                            and
                                                ``(bb) provided to adults
                                            and dislocated workers under
                                            paragraph (3)(G)(ii); and
                                        ``(II) for the payment of training
                                    services under paragraph (2)(A) of
                                    section 414(c) of the American
                                    Competitiveness and Workforce
                                    Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C.
                                    3224a(c)) after funds allocated to such
                                    local area under paragraph (1) of such
                                    section 414(c) have been exhausted.
                                ``(ii) Exception.--With respect to a local
                            area that uses any funds described in
                            subparagraph (A) to provide supportive
                            services, in accordance with subsection (d)(2)
                            of this section, for adults and dislocated
                            workers who are participating in training
                            services, or individualized career services
                            described in clauses (iii) and (vii) of
                            paragraph (2)(B) that enable participation in
                            training services, each percentage of such
                            funds so used shall reduce, by one percentage
                            point, the percentage of such funds required to
                            be used by such local area in accordance with
                            clause (i), except that such percentage of
                            funds may not be reduced by more than 10
                            percentage points pursuant to this clause.'';
                            and
                        (D) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by
                    striking ``and (ii)'' and inserting ``, (ii), and
                    (iv)''.
                (2) Career services.--Section 134(c)(2) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)) is
            amended--
                        (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C)
                    as subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively;
                        (B) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so
                    redesignated, the following:
                        ``(A) Basic career services.--
                                ``(i) In general.--The one-stop delivery
                            system--
                                        ``(I) shall coordinate with the
                                    Employment Service office colocated
                                    with the one-stop delivery system for
                                    such Employment Service office to
                                    provide, using the funds allotted to
                                    the State under section 6 of the
                                    Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49e),
                                    basic career services, which--
                                                ``(aa) shall--

                                                        ``(AA) include, at
                                                    a minimum, the services
                                                    listed in clause (ii);
                                                    and

                                                        ``(BB) be available
                                                    to individuals who are
                                                    adults or dislocated
                                                    workers in an
                                                    integrated manner to
                                                    streamline access to
                                                    assistance for such
                                                    individuals, to avoid
                                                    duplication of
                                                    services, and to
                                                    enhance coordination of
                                                    services; and

                                                ``(bb) may include access
                                            to talent marketplaces; and
                                        ``(II) may use funds allocated
                                    under paragraph (1), as necessary, to
                                    supplement the services that are
                                    provided pursuant to subclause (I) to
                                    individuals who are adults or
                                    dislocated workers.
                                ``(ii) Services.--The basic career services
                            provided pursuant to clause (i) shall include--
                                        ``(I) provision of workforce and
                                    labor market employment statistics
                                    information, including the provision of
                                    accurate (and, to the extent
                                    practicable, real-time) information
                                    relating to local, regional, and
                                    national labor market areas,
                                    including--
                                                ``(aa) job vacancy listings
                                            in such labor market areas;
                                                ``(bb) information on job
                                            skills necessary to obtain the
                                            jobs included on such listings;
                                            and
                                                ``(cc) information relating
                                            to local occupations in demand
                                            (which may include
                                            entrepreneurship
                                            opportunities), and the
                                            earnings, skill requirements,
                                            and opportunities for
                                            advancement for such
                                            occupations;
                                        ``(II) labor exchange services,
                                    including job search and placement
                                    assistance and, in appropriate cases,
                                    career counseling, including--
                                                ``(aa) provision of
                                            information on in-demand
                                            industry sectors and
                                            occupations;
                                                ``(bb) provision of
                                            information on nontraditional
                                            employment; and
                                                ``(cc) provision of
                                            information on
                                            entrepreneurship, as
                                            appropriate;
                                        ``(III)(aa) provision of
                                    information, in formats that are usable
                                    by and understandable to one-stop
                                    center customers, relating to the
                                    availability of supportive services or
                                    assistance, including child care, child
                                    support, medical or child health
                                    assistance under title XIX or XXI of
                                    the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396
                                    et seq. and 1397aa et seq.), benefits
                                    under the supplemental nutrition
                                    assistance program established under
                                    the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
                                    U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), assistance
                                    through the earned income tax credit
                                    under section 32 of the Internal
                                    Revenue Code of 1986, and assistance
                                    under a State program for temporary
                                    assistance for needy families funded
                                    under part A of title IV of the Social
                                    Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
                                    and other supportive services and
                                    transportation provided through funds
                                    made available under such part,
                                    available in the local area; and
                                        ``(bb) referral to the services or
                                    assistance described in item (aa), as
                                    appropriate;
                                        ``(IV) provision of information and
                                    assistance regarding filing claims for
                                    unemployment compensation; and
                                        ``(V) assistance in establishing
                                    eligibility for programs of financial
                                    aid assistance for training and
                                    education programs that are not funded
                                    under this Act.'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated--
                                (i) in the heading, by striking the heading
                            and inserting ``Individualized career'';
                                (ii) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
                                        (I) by inserting ``individualized''
                                    before ``career services''; and
                                        (II) by inserting ``shall, to the
                                    extent practicable, be evidence-
                                    based,'' before ``and shall'';
                                (iii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``, and
                            a determination (considering factors including
                            prior work experience, military service,
                            education, and the in-demand industry sectors
                            and occupations in the local area) of whether
                            such an individual would benefit from a
                            competency-based assessment developed or
                            identified by the State pursuant to subsection
                            (a)(2)(B)(viii) to accelerate the time to
                            obtaining employment that leads to economic
                            self-sufficiency or career advancement'' before
                            the semi-colon at the end;
                                (iv) by striking clauses (iv), (vi), (ix),
                            (x), and (xi);
                                (v) by redesignating clauses (v), (vii),
                            (viii), (xii), and (xiii) as clauses (iv), (v),
                            (vi), (vii), and (viii), respectively;
                                (vi) in clause (v), as so redesignated, by
                            inserting ``and credential'' after ``by
                            program'';
                                (vii) in clause (vi), as so redesignated,
                            by inserting ``and in multiple languages, to
                            the extent practicable,'' after ``customers,'';
                            and
                                (viii) in clause (vii), as so
                            redesignated--
                                        (I) in subclause (I)(aa), as so
                                    redesignated, by inserting ``,
                                    including a competency-based assessment
                                    developed or identified by the State
                                    pursuant to subsection
                                    (a)(2)(B)(viii)'' after ``tools'';
                                        (II) in subclause (VI), by
                                    inserting ``digital literacy skills,''
                                    after ``learning skills,'';
                                        (III) in subclause (X), by striking
                                    ``or'' at the end;
                                        (IV) in subclause (XI)--
                                                (aa) by striking
                                            ``language''; and
                                                (bb) by striking ``and'' at
                                            the end and inserting ``or'';
                                        (V) by adding at the end the
                                    following:
                                        ``(XII) review or creation of a
                                    resume or similar document showcasing
                                    the skills, experience, relevant
                                    credentials, and education of the
                                    individual; and''.
                        (D) by amending subparagraph (C), as so
                    redesignated, to read as follows:
                        ``(C) Use of previous assessments.--A one-stop
                    operator or one-stop partner shall not be required to
                    conduct a new interview, evaluation, or assessment of a
                    participant under subparagraph (B)(vii) if the one-stop
                    operator or one-stop partner determines that--
                                ``(i) it is appropriate to use a recent
                            interview, evaluation, or assessment of the
                            participant conducted pursuant to another
                            education or training program; and
                                ``(ii) using such recent interview,
                            evaluation, or assessment will accelerate an
                            eligibility determination.''; and
                        (E) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated--
                                (i) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
                                        (I) by inserting ``individualized''
                                    before ``career''; and
                                        (II) by striking ``subparagraph
                                    (A)'' and inserting ``subparagraph
                                    (B)''; and
                                (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ``,
                            libraries, and community-based organizations''
                            after ``nonprofit service providers''.
                (3) Training services.--Section 134(c)(3) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)) is
            amended--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                                (i) in clause (i), in the matter preceding
                            subclause (I), by striking ``clause (ii)'' and
                            inserting ``clause (ii) or (iii)'';
                                (ii) by amending clause (i)(II) to read as
                            follows:
                                        ``(II) who select programs of
                                    training services that are directly
                                    linked to the employment
                                    opportunities--
                                                ``(aa) in the local area or
                                            the planning region;
                                                ``(bb) in another area to
                                            which the adults or dislocated
                                            workers are willing to commute
                                            or relocate; or
                                                ``(cc) that may be
                                            performed remotely;''.
                                (iii) by redesignating clause (iii) as
                            clause (iv);
                                (iv) by inserting after clause (ii) the
                            following:
                                ``(iii) Employer referral.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--A one-stop
                                    operator or one-stop partner shall not
                                    be required to conduct an interview,
                                    evaluation, or assessment of an
                                    individual under clause (i) if such
                                    individual--
                                                ``(aa) is referred by an
                                            employer to receive on-the-job
                                            training or employer-directed
                                            skills development in
                                            connection with that employer;
                                            and
                                                ``(bb) has been certified
                                            by the employer as being an
                                            individual who is in need of
                                            training services to obtain
                                            unsubsidized employment with
                                            such employer and who has the
                                            skills and qualifications to
                                            successfully participate in the
                                            selected program of training
                                            services.
                                        ``(II) Priority.--A one-stop
                                    operator or one-stop partner shall
                                    follow the priority system in effect
                                    under subparagraph (E) to determine
                                    whether an individual who meets the
                                    requirements of subclause (I) of this
                                    clause is eligible to receive training
                                    services.''; and
                                (v) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(v) Adult education and family literacy
                            activities.--In the case of an individual who,
                            after an interview, evaluation, or assessment
                            under clause (i)(I), is determined to not have
                            the skills and qualifications to successfully
                            participate in the selected program of training
                            services under clause (i)(I)(cc), the one-stop
                            operator or one-stop partner shall refer such
                            individual to adult education and literacy
                            activities under title II, including for co-
                            enrollment in such activities, as
                            appropriate.'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) in clause (i)--
                                        (I) in subclause (I), by striking
                                    ``other grant assistance for such
                                    services, including'' and inserting
                                    ``assistance for such services under'';
                                    and
                                        (II) by striking ``under other
                                    grant assistance programs, including''
                                    and inserting ``under''; and
                                (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(iv) Participation during eligibility
                            determination.--An individual may participate
                            in a program of training services during the
                            period during which such individual's
                            eligibility for training services under
                            subparagraph (A)(i) is being determined, except
                            that the provider of such a program shall
                            receive reimbursement under this Act for the
                            individual's participation during such period
                            only if such individual is determined to be
                            eligible under subparagraph (A)(i).'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (D)(xi), by striking
                    ``customized training'' and inserting ``employer-
                    directed skills development'';
                        (D) in subparagraph (E)--
                                (i) by striking ``are basic skills
                            deficient'' and inserting ``have foundational
                            skill needs''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``paragraph (2)(A)(xii)''
                            and inserting ``paragraph (2)(B)(vii)'';
                        (E) in subparagraph (F)(ii), by inserting ``and the
                    levels of performance for such providers on the
                    performance criteria described in section 122(b) for
                    the 2 most recent program years'' after ``in section
                    122(d)'';
                        (F) in subparagraph (G)(ii)--
                                (i) in subclause (II), by striking
                            ``customized training'' and inserting
                            ``employer-directed skills development''; and
                                (ii) in subclause (IV)--
                                        (I) by striking ``is a'' and
                                    inserting ``is an evidence-based''; and
                                        (II) by inserting ``and to support
                                    such individuals in gaining requisite
                                    skills for in-demand industry sectors
                                    or occupations in the local area,
                                    obtaining recognized postsecondary
                                    credentials, and entering unsubsidized
                                    employment'' after ``employment'';
                        (G) in subparagraph (H)--
                                (i) in clause (i), in the matter preceding
                            subclause (I), by striking ``reimbursement
                            described in section 3(44)'' and inserting
                            ``reimbursement described in section 3(48)'';
                            and
                                (ii) in clause (ii)--
                                        (I) in subclause (I), by inserting
                                    ``, such as the extent to which
                                    participants are individuals with
                                    barriers to employment'' after
                                    ``participants''; and
                                        (II) in subclause (III), by
                                    inserting ``in an occupation or
                                    industry sector, including whether the
                                    skills a participant will obtain are
                                    transferable to other employers,
                                    occupations, or industries in the local
                                    area or the State'' after
                                    ``opportunities''; and
                        (H) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(I) Employer-directed skills development.--An
                    employer may receive a contract from a local board to
                    provide employer-directed skills development to a
                    participant or group of participants if the employer
                    submits to the local board an agreement that
                    establishes--
                                ``(i) the provider of the skills
                            development program, which may be the employer;
                                ``(ii) the length of the skills development
                            program;
                                ``(iii) the recognized postsecondary
                            credentials that will be awarded to, or the
                            occupational skills that will be gained by,
                            program participants;
                                ``(iv) the cost of the skills development
                            program;
                                ``(v) the estimated earnings of program
                            participants upon successful completion of the
                            program;
                                ``(vi) the amount of such cost that will be
                            paid by the employer, which shall not be less
                            than the amount specified in subparagraph (C)
                            of section 3(19); and
                                ``(vii) a commitment by the employer to
                            employ the participating individual or
                            individuals upon successful completion of the
                            program.''.
        (c) Business Services.--Section 134(c) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)) is further amended by adding at
    the end the following:
                ``(4) Business services.--Funds described in paragraph (1)
            shall be used to provide appropriate recruitment and other
            business services and strategies on behalf of employers,
            including small employers and mid-sized employers, that meet
            the workforce investment needs of area employers, as determined
            by the local board and consistent with the local plan under
            section 108, which services--
                        ``(A) may be provided--
                                ``(i) through effective business
                            intermediaries working in conjunction with the
                            local board;
                                ``(ii) on a fee-for-service basis; or
                                ``(iii) through the leveraging of economic
                            development, philanthropic, and other public
                            and private resources in a manner determined
                            appropriate by the local board; and
                        ``(B) may include one or more of the following:
                                ``(i) Developing and implementing industry
                            sector strategies (including strategies
                            involving industry partnerships, regional
                            skills alliances, industry skill panels, and
                            sectoral skills partnerships).
                                ``(ii) Developing and delivering innovative
                            workforce investment services and strategies
                            for area employers, which may include career
                            pathways, skills upgrading, skill standard
                            development and certification for recognized
                            postsecondary credential or other employer use,
                            apprenticeship, developing and offering
                            industry-recognized credential (including
                            short-term industry-recognized credential)
                            programs, including those that support
                            individuals with foundational skill needs, and
                            other effective initiatives for meeting the
                            workforce investment needs of area employers
                            and workers.
                                ``(iii) Assistance to area employers in
                            managing reductions in force in coordination
                            with rapid response activities provided under
                            subsection (a)(2)(A) and developing strategies
                            for the aversion of layoffs, which strategies
                            may include early identification of firms at
                            risk of layoffs, use of feasibility studies to
                            assess the needs of and options for at-risk
                            firms, and the delivery of employment and
                            training activities to address risk factors.
                                ``(iv) The marketing of business services
                            offered under this title to appropriate area
                            employers, including small and mid-sized
                            employers.
                                ``(v) Technical assistance or other support
                            to employers seeking to implement skills-based
                            hiring practices, which may include technical
                            assistance on the use and validation of
                            employment assessments, including competency-
                            based assessments developed or identified by
                            the State pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(viii),
                            and support in the creation of skills-based job
                            descriptions.
                                ``(vi) Other services described in this
                            subsection, including providing information and
                            referral to microenterprise services, as
                            appropriate, and specialized business services
                            not traditionally offered through the one-stop
                            delivery system.''.
        (d) Permissible Local Employment and Training Activities.--
                (1) Activities.--Section 134(d)(1)(A) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(1)(A)) is
            amended--
                        (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``10 percent'' and
                    inserting ``30 percent'';
                        (B) in clause (v), by inserting ``case
                    management,'' after ``assessments,'';
                        (C) in clause (vi)--
                                (i) in subclause (III), by striking ``and''
                            at the end;
                                (ii) by redesignating subclause (IV) as
                            subclause (VI); and
                                (iii) by inserting after subclause (III)
                            the following:
                                        ``(IV) employment and training
                                    activities under subsections (d) and
                                    (o) of section 6 of the Food and
                                    Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015);
                                        ``(V) programs under the Older
                                    Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001
                                    et seq.) that support employment and
                                    economic security; and'';
                        (D) in clause (vii)--
                                (i) in subclause (II)--
                                        (I) by inserting ``and providers of
                                    supportive services,'' after ``small
                                    employers,''; and
                                        (II) by striking ``and'' at the
                                    end;
                                (ii) in subclause (III), by inserting
                            ``and'' at the end; and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                        ``(IV) to strengthen, through
                                    professional development activities,
                                    the knowledge and capacity of one-stop
                                    staff to use the latest digital
                                    technologies, tools, and strategies to
                                    deliver high quality services and
                                    outcomes for jobseekers, workers, and
                                    employers;'';
                        (E) by striking clause (ix);
                        (F) by redesignating clauses (x) through (xii) as
                    clauses (ix) through (xi), respectively;
                        (G) in clause (x), as so redesignated, by striking
                    ``and'' at the end;
                        (H) in clause (xi), as so redesignated, by striking
                    the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
                        (I) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(xii) training programs for individuals
                            who are dislocated workers as a result of
                            advances in automation technology;
                                ``(xiii) the use of competency-based
                            assessments for individuals upon initial
                            assessment of skills (pursuant to subsection
                            (c)(2)(A)(iii)) or completion of training
                            services or other learning experiences;
                                ``(xiv) the development of partnerships
                            between educational institutions (including
                            area career and technical education schools,
                            local educational agencies, and institutions of
                            higher education) and employers to create or
                            improve workforce development programs to
                            address the identified education and skill
                            needs of the workforce and the employment needs
                            of employers in a region, as determined based
                            on the most recent analysis conducted by the
                            local board under section 107(d)(2); and
                                ``(xv) assistance to one or more public
                            libraries located in the local area that has
                            demonstrated success in leveraging additional
                            resources (such as staff, facilities,
                            computers, and learning materials) to provide
                            free and open access to individualized career
                            services, in order to promote and expand access
                            to such services.''.
                (2) Supportive services.--Section 134(d)(2)(B) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
            3174(d)(2)(B)) is amended, by inserting ``, including through
            programs of one-stop partners, who are'' after ``programs''.
                (3) Needs-related payments.--Section 134(d)(3) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(3))
            is amended--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or for
                    financial assistance through a program carried out by a
                    one-stop partner'' after ``compensation''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or
                    financial assistance through a program carried out by a
                    one-stop partner'' after ``compensation''
                (4) Incumbent worker training programs.--
                        (A) In general.--Section 134(d)(4)(A) of the
                    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3174(d)(4)(A)) is amended--
                                (i) in clause (i), by striking ``20'' and
                            inserting ``30'';
                                (ii) by redesignating clauses (ii) and
                            (iii) as clauses (iii) and (iv), respectively;
                            and
                                (iii) by inserting after clause (i) the
                            following:
                                ``(ii) Increase in reservation of funds.--
                            Notwithstanding clause (i)--
                                        ``(I) with respect to a local area
                                    that had a rate of unemployment of not
                                    more than 3 percent for not less than 6
                                    months during the preceding program
                                    year, clause (i) shall be applied by
                                    substituting `40 percent' for `30
                                    percent'; or
                                        ``(II) with respect to a local area
                                    that meets the requirement in subclause
                                    (I) and is located in a State that had
                                    a labor force participation rate of not
                                    less than 69 percent for not less than
                                    6 months during the preceding program
                                    year, clause (i) shall be applied by
                                    substituting `45 percent' for `30
                                    percent'.''.
                        (B) Training activities.--Section 134(d)(4)(B) of
                    the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3174(d)(4)(B)) is amended--
                                (i) by striking ``The training'', and
                            inserting the following:
                                ``(i) In general.--The training''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``delivering training''
                            and inserting ``delivering training, such as
                            industry or sector partnerships''.
                        (C) Non-federal share.--Section
                    134(d)(4)(D)(ii)(III) of the Workforce Innovation and
                    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(4)(D)(ii)(III)) is
                    amended by striking ``50'' and inserting ``55''.
                        (D) Incumbent worker upskilling accounts.--Section
                    134(d)(4) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
                    Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(4)) is further amended by adding
                    at the end the following:
                        ``(E) Incumbent worker upskilling accounts.--
                                ``(i) In general.--To establish incumbent
                            worker upskilling accounts through which an
                            eligible provider of training services under
                            section 122 may be paid for the program of
                            training services provided to an incumbent
                            worker, a local board--
                                        ``(I)(aa) may use, from the funds
                                    reserved by the local area under
                                    subparagraph (A)(i), an amount that
                                    does not exceed 5 percent of the funds
                                    allocated to such local area under
                                    section 133(b); or
                                ``(bb) if the local area reserved funds
                            under subparagraph (A)(ii), may use, from the
                            funds reserved by the local area under
                            subparagraph (A)(ii), an amount that does not
                            exceed 10 percent of the funds allocated to
                            such local area under section 133(b); and
                                        ``(II) may use funds reserved under
                                    section 134(a)(2)(A) for statewide
                                    rapid response activities and provided
                                    by the State to local area to establish
                                    such accounts.
                                ``(ii) Eligibility.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--Subject to
                                    subclause (II), a local board that
                                    seeks to establish incumbent worker
                                    upskilling accounts under clause (i)
                                    shall establish criteria for
                                    determining the eligibility of an
                                    incumbent worker to receive such an
                                    account, which shall take into account
                                    factors of--
                                                ``(aa) the wages of the
                                            incumbent worker as of the date
                                            of determining such worker's
                                            eligibility under this clause;
                                                ``(bb) the career
                                            advancement opportunities for
                                            the incumbent worker in the
                                            occupation of such worker as of
                                            such date; and
                                                ``(cc) the ability of the
                                            incumbent worker to, upon
                                            completion of the program of
                                            training services selected by
                                            such worker, secure employment
                                            in an in-demand industry or
                                            occupation in the local area
                                            that will lead to economic
                                            self-sufficiency and wages
                                            higher than the current wages
                                            of the incumbent worker.
                                        ``(II) Limitation.--
                                                ``(aa) In general.--An
                                            incumbent worker described in
                                            item (bb) shall be ineligible
                                            to receive an incumbent worker
                                            upskilling account under this
                                            subparagraph.
                                                ``(bb) Ineligibility.--Item
                                            (aa) shall apply to an
                                            incumbent worker--

                                                        ``(AA) whose total
                                                    annual wages for the
                                                    most recent year are
                                                    greater than the median
                                                    household income of the
                                                    State; or

                                                        ``(BB) who has
                                                    earned a baccalaureate
                                                    or professional degree.

                                ``(iii) Cost sharing for certain incumbent
                            workers.--With respect to an incumbent worker
                            who is determined to be eligible to receive an
                            incumbent worker upskilling account and who is
                            not a low-income individual--
                                        ``(I) such incumbent worker shall
                                    pay not less than 25 percent of the
                                    cost of the program of training
                                    services selected by such worker; and
                                        ``(II) funds provided through the
                                    incumbent worker upskilling account
                                    established for such worker shall cover
                                    the remaining 75 percent of the cost of
                                    the program.''.
                        (E) Transitional jobs.--Section 134(d)(5) of the
                    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3174(d)(5)) is amended by striking ``10'' and inserting
                    ``15''.
        (e) Rule of Construction.--Section 134 of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174) is further amended by adding at
    the end the following:
        ``(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to abrogate a collective bargaining agreement that covers
    employees of an entity providing a program of training services,
    including an incumbent worker training program.''.

               CHAPTER 4--GENERAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT PROVISIONS

    SEC. 145. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        Section 136 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3181) is amended to read as follows:

    ``SEC. 136. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        ``(a) Youth Workforce Investment Activities.--There are authorized
    to be appropriated to carry out the activities described in section
    127(a) $948,130,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
        ``(b) Adult Employment and Training Activities.--There are
    authorized to be appropriated to carry out the activities described in
    section 132(a)(1) $875,649,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027
    through 2032.
        ``(c) Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities.--There
    are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the activities described
    in section 132(a)(2) $1,331,412,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027
    through 2032.''.

                             Subtitle D--Job Corps

    SEC. 151. PURPOSES.

        Section 141 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3191) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``centers'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campuses''; and
                (2) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                        (A) by striking ``secondary school diplomas'' and
                    inserting ``regular high school diplomas or their
                    recognized equivalents'';
                        (B) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' at the end;
                        (C) in clause (ii), by striking ``, including an
                    apprenticeship program; and'' and inserting ``; or'';
                    and
                        (D) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(iii) enrollment in an apprenticeship
                            program; and''.

    SEC. 152. DEFINITIONS.

        Section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3192) is amended--
                (1) in paragraphs (1), (7), (8), and (10), by striking
            ``center'' each place it appears and inserting ``campus'';
                (2) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``the community in
            which the Job Corps campus is located or the'' after
            ``serves'';
                (3) in paragraph (5)--
                        (A) by striking ``secondary school diploma or'' and
                    inserting ``regular high school diploma or its'';
                        (B) by striking ``that prepares'' and inserting
                    ``that--
                        ``(A) prepares'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by
                    striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
                    and
                        (D) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(B) may lead to the attainment of a recognized
                    postsecondary credential.''; and
                (4) in paragraph (7), by striking ``center'' in the heading
            and inserting ``campus''.

    SEC. 153. INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR THE JOB CORPS.

        Section 144 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3194) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) by striking ``21'' and inserting
                            ``24'';
                                (ii) by inserting `` or, if the date of
                            enrollment is not greater than 60 days after
                            the date of application, the date of
                            application,'' after ``enrollment,'';
                                (iii) by amending subparagraph (A) to read
                            as follows:
                        ``(A) an individual who is age 16 or 17 shall be
                    eligible only upon an individual determination by the
                    director of a Job Corps campus that such individual
                    meets the criteria described in subparagraph (A) or (B)
                    of section 145(b)(1); and''; and
                                (iv) in subparagraph (B), by striking
                            ``either'';
                        (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting after
                    ``individual'' the following: ``or a resident of a
                    qualified opportunity zone as defined in section 1400Z-
                    1(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986''; and
                        (C) in paragraph (3)--
                                (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
                            follows:
                        ``(A) Has foundational skill needs.''; and
                                (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``(42
                            U.S.C. 14043e-2(6)))'' and inserting ``(34
                            U.S.C. 12473(6)))''.
                (2) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) in the heading, by inserting ``and Certain
                    Other Armed Forces Members'' after ``Veterans''; and
                        (B) by inserting ``or a member of the Armed Forces
                    eligible for preseparation counseling of the Transition
                    Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10,
                    United States Code,'' after ``a veteran''; and
                (3) by inserting at the end the following:
        ``(c) Special Rule for Homeless Youth and Foster Youth.--In
    determining whether an individual is eligible to enroll for services
    under this subtitle on the basis of being a homeless youth, or a youth
    in foster care, as described in subsection (a)(3)(C), staff shall--
                ``(1) if determining whether the individual is a homeless
            youth, use a process that is in compliance with the
            requirements of subsection (a) of section 479D of the Higher
            Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087uu-2) for financial aid
            administrators; and
                ``(2) if determining whether the individual is a youth in
            foster care, use a process that is in compliance with the
            requirements of subsection (b) of such section 479D of the
            Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087uu-2) for financial
            aid administrators.''.

    SEC. 154. RECRUITMENT, SCREENING, SELECTION, AND ASSIGNMENT OF
                  ENROLLEES.

        Section 145 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3195) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)(2)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``45'' and
                    inserting ``55'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and
                    inserting ``; and''; and
                        (D) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(F) assist applicable one-stop centers and other
                    entities identified in paragraph (3) in developing
                    joint applications for Job Corps, YouthBuild, and the
                    youth activities described in section 129.''; and
                (2) in subsections (b), (c), and (d)--
                        (A) by striking ``center'' each place it appears
                    and inserting ``campus''; and
                        (B) by striking ``centers'' each place it appears
                    and inserting ``campuses''.

    SEC. 155. JOB CORPS CAMPUSES.

        Section 147 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3197) is amended--
                (1) in the heading, by striking ``centers'' and inserting
            ``campuses'';
                (2) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) by striking ``center'' each place it
                            appears and inserting ``campus''; and
                                (ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting
                            after ``area career and technical education
                            school,'' the following: ``an institution of
                            higher education,'';
                        (B) in paragraph (2)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                        (I) by striking ``center'' each
                                    place it appears and inserting
                                    ``campus''; and
                                        (II) by inserting after ``United
                                    States Code,'' the following: ``and
                                    section 159(f)(2)(B)(i)(III),''; and
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                        (I) in clause (i)--
                                                (aa) by striking ``operate
                                            a Job Corps center'' and
                                            inserting ``operate a Job Corps
                                            campus'';
                                                (bb) by striking subclause
                                            (IV);
                                                (cc) by redesignating
                                            subclauses (I), (II), (III),
                                            and (V), as subclauses (III),
                                            (IV), (V), and (VI),
                                            respectively;
                                                (dd) by inserting before
                                            subclause (III), as so
                                            redesignated, the following:
                                        ``(I)(aa) in the case of an entity
                                    that has previously operated a Job
                                    Corps campus, a numeric metric of the
                                    past achievement on the primary
                                    indicators of performance for eligible
                                    youth described in section
                                    116(b)(2)(A)(ii); or
                                ``(bb) in the case of an entity that has
                            not previously operated a Job Corps campus, a
                            comparable alternative numeric metric on the
                            past effectiveness of the entity in
                            successfully assisting at-risk youth to connect
                            to the labor force, based on such primary
                            indicators of performance for eligible youth;
                                        ``(II) in the case of an entity
                                    that has previously operated a Job
                                    Corps campus, any information regarding
                                    the entity included in any report
                                    developed by the Office of Inspector
                                    General of the Department of Labor;'';
                                                (ee) in subclause (III), as
                                            so redesignated, by striking
                                            ``center'' and inserting
                                            ``campus'';
                                                (ff) by amending subclause
                                            (IV), as so redesignated, to
                                            read as follows:
                                        ``(IV) the ability of the entity to
                                    offer career and technical education
                                    and training that has been proposed by
                                    the workforce council under section
                                    154(c), including--
                                                ``(aa) the degree to which
                                            such education and training
                                            reflects employment
                                            opportunities in the local
                                            areas in which enrollees at the
                                            campus intend to seek
                                            employment; and
                                                ``(bb) the degree to which
                                            such education and training
                                            leads to a recognized
                                            postsecondary credential, or
                                            postsecondary credit, that
                                            permits articulation into a
                                            higher level or other degree or
                                            credential program;'';
                                                (gg) in subclause (V), as
                                            so redesignated, by striking
                                            ``center is located;'' and
                                            inserting ``campus is located,
                                            including agreements to provide
                                            off-campus work-based learning
                                            opportunities aligned with the
                                            career and technical education
                                            provided to enrollees; and'';
                                            and
                                                (hh) by amending subclause
                                            (VI), as so redesignated, to
                                            read as follows:
                                        ``(VI) the ability of the entity to
                                    implement an effective behavior
                                    management plan, as described in
                                    section 152(a), and maintain a safe and
                                    secure learning environment for
                                    enrollees.''; and
                                        (II) in clause (ii), by striking
                                    ``center'' and inserting ``campus'';
                                    and
                        (C) in paragraph (3)--
                                (i) by striking ``center'' each place it
                            appears and inserting ``campus'';
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or
                            postsecondary credit, which credit shall permit
                            articulation into a credential program'' after
                            ``program'';
                                (iii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting
                            after ``is located'' the following: ``,
                            including agreements to provide off-campus
                            work-based learning opportunities aligned with
                            the career and technical education provided to
                            enrollees'';
                                (iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (E),
                            (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) as
                            subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), and
                            (L), respectively; and
                                (v) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
                            following:
                        ``(E) A description of the policies that will be
                    implemented at the campus regarding security and access
                    to campus facilities, including procedures to report on
                    and respond to violations of the disciplinary policy
                    described in section 152(b) and other emergencies
                    occurring on campus.'';
                (3) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) in the heading, by striking ``Centers'' and
                    inserting ``Campuses'';
                        (B) by striking ``center'' each place it appears
                    and inserting ``campus'';
                        (C) by striking ``centers'' each place it appears
                    and inserting ``campuses'';
                        (D) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``20 percent''
                    and inserting ``25 percent''; and
                        (E) in paragraph (3)(A)(iv), by striking
                    ``secondary school diplomas'' and inserting ``regular
                    high school diplomas'';
                (4) in subsection (c)--
                        (A) by striking ``centers'' and inserting
                    ``campuses''; and
                        (B) by striking ``20 percent'' and inserting ``30
                    percent'';
                (5) in subsection (d)--
                        (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``centers''
                    and inserting ``campuses''; and
                        (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``centers''
                    and inserting ``Centers'';
                (6) in subsection (e)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``centers'' and
                    inserting ``campuses''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``450b)'' and
                    inserting ``5304)'';
                (7) in subsection (f), by striking ``2-year period'' and
            inserting ``3-year period''; and
                (8) in subsection (g)--
                        (A) by striking ``center'' each place it appears
                    and inserting ``campus'';
                        (B) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A)
                    and (B) and inserting the following:
                        ``(A) failed to achieve an average of 80 percent or
                    higher of the expected level of performance under
                    section 159(c)(1) across all of the primary indicators
                    of performance for eligible youth described in section
                    116(b)(2)(A)(ii); or
                        ``(B) failed to--
                                ``(i) take reasonable measures to achieve
                            an average of 80 percent of the planned average
                            onboard strength that was agreed to in the
                            agreement described in subsection (a)(1)(A); or
                                ``(ii) achieve an average of 60 percent of
                            the planned average onboard strength that was
                            agreed to in the agreement described in
                            subsection (a)(1)(A).'';
                        (C) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``or onboard
                    strength or enrollment'' after ``performance'';
                        (D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``shall provide''
                    and inserting ``shall provide, at least 30 days prior
                    to renewing the agreement''; and
                        (E) in paragraph (4)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking
                            ``and'' after the semicolon;
                                (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as
                            subparagraph (E); and
                                (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (C)
                            the following:
                        ``(D) has maintained a safe and secure campus
                    environment; and''.

    SEC. 156. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.

        Section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3198) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``center'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campus'';
                (2) by striking ``centers'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campuses'';
                (3) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) in the subsection heading, by striking
                    ``CENTERS'' and inserting ``CAMPUSES''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) by inserting before the period at the
                            end the following: ``, and productive
                            activities, such as tutoring or other skills
                            development opportunities, for enrollees to
                            participate in outside of regular class time
                            and work hours''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``clauses (i) through (xi)
                            of section 134(c)(2)(A)'' and inserting
                            ``subclauses (I) through (V) of section
                            134(c)(2)(A)(ii) or in clauses (i) through
                            (viii) of section 134(c)(2)(B)'';
                (4) in subsection (b), by striking ``career and technical
            educational institutions'' and inserting ``area career and
            technical education schools'';
                (5) in subsection (c)(1)--
                        (A) by striking ``the eligible providers'' and
                    inserting ``any eligible provider''; and
                        (B) by inserting after ``under section 122'' the
                    following: ``that is aligned with the career and
                    technical education an enrollee has completed''; and
                (6) in subsection (d), by inserting ``, in coordination
            with the operator of the Job Corps program in which a graduate
            was enrolled,'' after ``Secretary''.

    SEC. 157. COUNSELING AND JOB PLACEMENT.

        Section 149(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3199(b)) is amended--
                (1) by inserting ``, in coordination with the operator of a
            Job Corps campus,'' after ``The Secretary'';
                (2) by inserting ``assigned to such campus'' after ``for
            enrollees''; and
                (3) by inserting ``, in coordination with the operator,''
            after ``, the Secretary''.

    SEC. 158. SUPPORT.

        Section 150 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3200) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``centers'' and
            inserting ``campuses''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(d) Period of Transition.--Notwithstanding the requirements of
    section 146(b), a Job Corps graduate may remain an enrollee and a
    resident of a Job Corps campus for not more than one month after
    graduation as such graduate transitions into independent living and
    employment if such graduate receives written approval from the director
    of the Job Corps campus to remain such a resident.''.

    SEC. 159. OPERATIONS.

        Section 151 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3201) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``center'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campus''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(d) Local Authority.--
                ``(1) In general.--Subject to the limitations of the budget
            approved by the Secretary for a Job Corps campus, the operator
            of a Job Corps campus shall have the authority, without prior
            approval from the Secretary, to--
                        ``(A) hire staff and provide staff professional
                    development;
                        ``(B) set terms and enter into agreements with
                    Federal, State, or local educational partners, such as
                    secondary schools, institutions of higher education,
                    child development centers, units of Junior Reserve
                    Officers' Training Corps programs established under
                    section 2031 of title 10, United States Code, or
                    employers; and
                        ``(C) engage with and educate stakeholders
                    (including eligible applicants for the Job Corps) about
                    Job Corps operations, selection procedures, and
                    activities.
                ``(2) Nonapplicability.--Notwithstanding section 6702 of
            title 41, United States Code, or any other provision of law,
            chapter 67 of such title shall not apply to any agreement
            described in paragraph (1)(B) for the purpose of providing
            child care to enrollees between an entity described in such
            paragraph and an operator of a Job Corps campus, if the
            operator is not using amounts made available under this
            subtitle to pay for such child care services.
        ``(e) Prior Notice.--Prior to making a change to the agreement
    described in section 147(a) or an operating plan described in this
    section, the Secretary shall solicit from the operators of the Job
    Corps campuses information on any operational costs the operators
    expect to result from such change.''.

    SEC. 160. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.

        Section 152 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3202) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``centers'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campuses'';
                (2) in subsection (a), by inserting ``As part of the
            operating plan required under section 151(a), the director of
            each Job Corps campus shall develop and implement a behavior
            management plan consistent with the standards of conduct and
            subject to the approval of the Secretary.'' at the end;
                (3) in subsection (b)(2)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or
                    disruptive''; and
                        (B) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting ``,
                    subject to the appeal process described in subsection
                    (c)'' after ``subparagraph (A)''; and
                (4) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
        ``(c) Appeal Process.--
                ``(1) Enrollee appeals.--A disciplinary measure taken by a
            director under this section shall be subject to expeditious
            appeal in accordance with procedures established by the
            Secretary.
                ``(2) Director appeals.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
                    date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for
                    America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall establish an
                    appeals process under which the director of a Job Corps
                    campus may submit a request that an enrollee who has
                    engaged in an activity which is a violation of the
                    guidelines established pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(A)
                    remain enrolled in the program, but be subject to other
                    disciplinary actions in lieu of automatic separation
                    from the program.
                        ``(B) Contents.--A request under subparagraph (A)
                    shall include--
                                ``(i) a signed certification from the
                            director attesting that, to the belief of the
                            director, the continued enrollment of such
                            enrollee would not impact the safety or
                            learning environment of the campus; and
                                ``(ii) the behavioral records of such
                            enrollee.
                        ``(C) Default approval.--The Secretary shall review
                    such appeal within 30 days of receiving such appeal and
                    either approve or deny the appeal. An appeal shall be
                    considered approved if the Secretary has not denied
                    such appeal after 30 days.''.

    SEC. 161. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.

        Section 153 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3203) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``center'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campus'';
                (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``centers'' and
            inserting ``campuses'';
                (3) in subsection (b)(1)(C)--
                        (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the
                    end; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(v) industry or sector partnerships, where
                    applicable; and''; and
                (4) in subsection (c), in the heading, by striking
            ``Centers'' and inserting ``Campuses''.

    SEC. 162. WORKFORCE COUNCILS.

        Section 154 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3204) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``center'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campus'';
                (2) in subsection (b)(1)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
                    end;
                        (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
                    subparagraph (D); and
                        (C) by inserting the following after subparagraph
                    (B):
                        ``(C) representatives of community-based
                    organizations; and'';
                (3) in subsection (c)(2)(C), by inserting ``, recognized
            postsecondary credentials,'' after ``skills''; and
                (4) in subsection (d), in the heading, by striking ``New
            Centers'' and inserting ``New Campuses''.

    SEC. 163. ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

        Section 155 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(a) In
            General.--The Secretary'';
                (2) by striking ``centers'' and inserting ``campuses'';
                (3) by striking ``center'' and inserting ``campus''; and
                (4) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(b) Advisory Committee to Improve Job Corps Safety and
    Performance.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
    the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall
    establish an advisory committee to provide recommendations on effective
    or evidence-based strategies to improve--
                ``(1) safety, security, and learning conditions on Job
            Corps campuses;
                ``(2) the standards for campus safety established under
            section 159(c)(4);
                ``(3) the levels of performance established under section
            159(c)(1), including recommendations to improve the
            effectiveness and rigor of such levels of performance and
            recommendations to ensure such levels promote continuous
            performance improvement; and
                ``(4) the effectiveness of performance improvement plans
            and other measures to continuously improve the performance of
            the Job Corps program.''.

    SEC. 164. EXPERIMENTAL PROJECTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

        Section 156 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3206) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``center'' and inserting ``campus'';
                (2) by striking ``centers'' and inserting ``campuses''; and
                (3) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) by striking ``\1/4\ of 1 percent to provide''
                    and inserting ``1.25 percent to provide''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
                    end of subparagraph (C) and by adding at the end the
                    following:
                        ``(D) in the development and implementation of a
                    behavior management plan under section 152(a); and
                        ``(E) in complying with the campus and student
                    safety standards described in section 159(c)(4); and''.

    SEC. 165. SPECIAL PROVISIONS.

        Section 158 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3208) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``center'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campus''; and
                (2) in subsection (f)--
                        (A) by striking ``may accept on behalf of the Job
                    Corps or individual Job Corps campuses charitable
                    donations of cash'' and inserting ``(or the Secretary
                    of Agriculture, as appropriate), on behalf of the Job
                    Corps, or a Job Corps campus operator, on behalf of
                    such campus, may accept grants, charitable donations of
                    cash,''; and
                        (B) by inserting at the end the following:
                    ``Notwithstanding sections 501(b) and 522 of title 40,
                    United States Code, any property acquired by a Job
                    Corps campus shall be directly transferred, on a
                    nonreimbursable basis, to the Secretary.''.

    SEC. 166. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION.

        (a) Levels of Performance.--Section 159 of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``center'' each place it appears and
            inserting ``campus'';
                (2) in subsection (c)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
                            inserting the following:
                        ``(A) In general.--The Secretary'';
                                (ii) by inserting ``that are ambitious yet
                            achievable and'' after ``program''; and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following
                            new subparagraphs:
                        ``(B) Levels of performance.--In establishing the
                    expected levels of performance under subparagraph (A)
                    for a Job Corps campus, the Secretary may take into
                    account factors including--
                                ``(i) how the levels involved compare with
                            the recent performance of such campus and the
                            performance of other campuses within the same
                            State or geographic region;
                                ``(ii) the levels of performance set for
                            the primary indicators of performance described
                            in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) for the youth
                            programs authorized under chapter 2 of subtitle
                            B for the State in which the campus is located;
                                ``(iii) the extent to which the levels
                            involved promote continuous improvement in
                            performance on the primary indicators of
                            performance by such campus and ensure optimal
                            return on the use of Federal funds; and
                                ``(iv) any other considerations identified
                            by the Secretary after reviewing the
                            recommendations of the advisory group described
                            in section 155(b).
                        ``(C) Performance per contract.--The Secretary
                    shall ensure the expected levels of performance are
                    established in the relevant contract or agreement.
                        ``(D) Adjustments based on economic conditions and
                    individuals served during the program year.--
                                ``(i) In general.--In the event of a
                            significant economic downturn, the Secretary
                            shall adjust the applicable levels of
                            performance for each of the campuses for a
                            program year to reflect the actual economic
                            conditions during such program year.
                                ``(ii) Report to congress.--Prior to
                            implementing the adjustments described in
                            clause (i), the Secretary shall submit to the
                            Committee on Education and Workforce of the
                            House of Representatives and the Committee on
                            Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
                            Senate a report explaining the reason for such
                            adjustments.
                        ``(E) Review of levels of performance.--The Office
                    of Inspector General of the Department of Labor shall,
                    every 5 years, submit to the Committee on Education and
                    Workforce of the House of Representatives and the
                    Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
                    the Senate, and publish in the Federal Register and on
                    a publicly available website of the Department, a
                    report containing--
                                ``(i) a quadrennial review of the expected
                            levels of performance; and
                                ``(ii) an evaluation of whether--
                                        ``(I) the Secretary is establishing
                                    such expected levels of performance in
                                    accordance with this Act; and
                                        ``(II) such expected levels have
                                    led to continued improvement of the Job
                                    Corps program.'';
                        (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``(L), and
                    (M)'' and inserting ``(M), and (N)'';
                        (C) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``(J), and
                    (K)'' and inserting ``(K), and (L)'';
                        (D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
                    (5);
                        (E) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
                ``(4) Campus safety.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish
                    campus and student safety standards. The Secretary
                    shall provide technical assistance and develop a safety
                    improvement plan for a Job Corps campus that fails to
                    achieve such standards.
                        ``(B) Considerations.--In establishing the campus
                    and student safety standards under subparagraph (A),
                    the Secretary shall take into account--
                                ``(i) incidents related to safety that are
                            reported to the Secretary;
                                ``(ii) survey data from enrollees, faculty,
                            staff, and community members; and
                                ``(iii) any other considerations identified
                            by the Secretary after reviewing the
                            recommendations of the advisory group described
                            in section 155(b).'';
                        (F) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
                                (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
                            ``and'' at the end;
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
                            period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
                            and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(C) the number of contracts that were awarded a
                    renewal compared to those eligible for a renewal;
                        ``(D) the number of campuses where the contract was
                    awarded to a new operator; and
                        ``(E) the number of campuses that were required to
                    receive performance improvement, as described under
                    subsection (f)(2).''; and
                        (G) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(6) Wage records.--The Secretary shall make arrangements
            with a State or other appropriate entity to facilitate the use
            of State wage records to evaluate the performance of Job Corps
            campuses on the employment and earnings indicators described in
            clause (i)(III) of subparagraph (A) of section 116(b)(2) and
            subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii) of such subparagraph for
            the purposes of the report required under paragraph (5).'';
                (3) in subsection (d)(1)--
                        (A) by inserting ``and make available on the
                    website of the Department pertaining to the Job Corps
                    program in a manner that is consumer-tested to ensure
                    it is easily understood, searchable, and navigable,''
                    after ``subsection (c)(4),'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``gender'' and
                    inserting ``sex'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``regular
                    secondary school diploma'' and inserting ``regular high
                    school diploma'';
                        (D) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``regular
                    secondary school diploma'' and inserting ``regular high
                    school diploma'';
                        (E) by redesignating subparagraphs (J) through (O)
                    as subparagraphs (K) through (P), respectively; and
                        (F) by inserting the following after subparagraph
                    (I):
                        ``(J) the number of appeals under section 152(c)
                    and a description of each appeal that was approved;'';
                (4) in subsection (e), by striking ``116(i)(2)'' and
            inserting ``116(j)(2)''; and
                (5) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ``comply'' and
            inserting ``attest to compliance''.
        (b) Performance Assessments and Improvements.--Section 159(f) of
    the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) is
    amended to read as follows:
        ``(f) Performance Assessments and Improvements.--
                ``(1) Assessments.--The Secretary shall conduct an annual
            assessment of the performance of each Job Corps campus on the
            primary indicators of performance described in section
            116(b)(2)(A)(ii), where each indicator shall be given equal
            weight in determining the overall performance of the campus.
            Based on the assessment, the Secretary shall take measures to
            continuously improve the performance of the Job Corps program.
                ``(2) Performance improvement.--
                        ``(A) Comprehensive improvement.--
                                ``(i) In general.--With respect to a Job
                            Corps campus that, for a program year, performs
                            as described in clause (ii) and is not already
                            subject to a performance improvement plan under
                            this paragraph for such program year or the
                            succeeding program year, the Secretary shall
                            develop and implement, for a comprehensive
                            improvement period beginning with the
                            succeeding program year, a performance
                            improvement plan that meets the requirements of
                            clause (iii).
                                ``(ii) Performance failures.--A Job Corps
                            campus performs as described in this clause if,
                            for a program year, such campus--
                                        ``(I) fails to meet an average of
                                    90 percent on the expected levels of
                                    performance across all the primary
                                    indicators of performance specified in
                                    subsection (c)(1); and
                                        ``(II) is ranked among the lowest
                                    20 percent of all Job Corps campuses.
                                ``(iii) Performance improvement plan
                            requirements.--A performance improvement plan,
                            with respect to a Job Corps campus, shall
                            require the Secretary to take substantial
                            action during a 3 consecutive program year
                            period (in this paragraph, referred to as a
                            `comprehensive improvement period') to improve
                            the performance of such campus, which shall
                            include--
                                        ``(I) providing technical
                                    assistance to the campus;
                                        ``(II) changing the management
                                    staff of the campus;
                                        ``(III) changing the career and
                                    technical education and training
                                    offered at the campus;
                                        ``(IV) replacing the operator of
                                    the campus; or
                                        ``(V) reducing the capacity of the
                                    campus.
                        ``(B) Chronic failure.--
                                ``(i) In general.--With respect to a Job
                            Corps campus that, for the two consecutive
                            program years immediately following a
                            comprehensive improvement period and regardless
                            of whether such campus is subject to a
                            subsequent comprehensive improvement period,
                            fails to meet an average of 85 percent on the
                            expected levels of performance across all the
                            primary indicators and is ranked among the
                            lowest 15 percent of all Job Corps campuses,
                            the Secretary shall take further substantial
                            action to improve the performance of such
                            campus, which shall include--
                                        ``(I) relocating the campus;
                                        ``(II) closing the campus; or
                                        ``(III) notifying the State in
                                    which the campus is located of such
                                    failure and, if such State submits a
                                    written plan to operate a residential
                                    campus in the current location, the
                                    Secretary--
                                                ``(aa) shall enter into a
                                            memorandum of understanding
                                            with the State for the purpose
                                            of so operating a residential
                                            campus and award funding
                                            directly to the State for such
                                            purpose;
                                                ``(bb) may encourage
                                            innovation in such memorandum
                                            of understanding by waiving any
                                            statutory or regulatory
                                            requirement of this subtitle
                                            except for those related to
                                            participant eligibility under
                                            section 144, program activities
                                            under section 148, counseling
                                            and job placement under section
                                            149, standards of conduct under
                                            section 152, and performance
                                            reporting and accountability
                                            under this section; and
                                                ``(cc) if a State chooses
                                            to award funds received under
                                            this clause to an entity that
                                            is not a State agency or other
                                            State entity, require that such
                                            State develop award criteria
                                            that will give priority
                                            consideration for the primary
                                            contract or grant for operation
                                            of the campus to any applicant
                                            that is a non-profit
                                            organization with expertise in
                                            serving out-of-school youth and
                                            that otherwise meets such award
                                            criteria.
                                ``(ii) Indian tribes.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--In the case of a
                                    Job Corps campus described in clause
                                    (i) that is located on an Indian
                                    reservation, subclause (III) of such
                                    clause shall be applied by--
                                                ``(aa) by substituting
                                            `Indian Tribe' for `State' in
                                            each place it appears; and
                                                ``(bb) in item (cc), by
                                            substituting `Tribal
                                            organization' for `State agency
                                            or other State entity'.
                                        ``(II) Definition.--In this
                                    paragraph, the terms `Indian Tribe' and
                                    `Tribal organization' have the meanings
                                    given such terms in subsections (e) and
                                    (l), respectively, of section 4 of the
                                    Indian Self-Determination and Education
                                    Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
                ``(3) Additional performance improvement.--In addition to
            the performance improvement plans required under paragraph (2),
            the Secretary may develop and implement additional performance
            improvement plans for a Job Corps campus that fails to meet
            criteria established by the Secretary other than the expected
            levels of performance described in subsection (c)(1).
                ``(4) Civilian conservation centers.--With respect to a
            Civilian Conservation Center that, for 3 consecutive program
            years, fails to meet an average of 90 percent of the expected
            levels of performance across all the primary indicators of
            performance specified in subsection (c)(1) and is ranked among
            the lowest 15 percent of campuses, the Secretary of Labor or,
            if appropriate, the Secretary of Agriculture shall select, on a
            competitive basis, an entity to operate part or all of the
            Civilian Conservation Center in accordance with the
            requirements of section 147.''.
        (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 159 of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) is further amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``centers'' and
            inserting ``campuses'';
                (2) in subsection (g)(1), in the heading, by striking
            ``Center'' and inserting ``Campus''; and
                (3) in subsection (j), in the heading, by striking
            ``Center'' and inserting ``Campus''.

    SEC. 167. JOB CORPS OVERSIGHT AND REPORTING.

        Section 161 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3211) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (c)--
                        (A) in the heading, by striking ``Center'' and
                    inserting ``Campus''; and
                        (B) by striking ``center'' and inserting
                    ``campus'';
                (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
                (3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
            subsection:
        ``(d) Report on Implementation of Recommendations.--The Secretary
    shall, on an annual basis, prepare and submit to the applicable
    committees a report regarding the implementation of all outstanding
    recommendations regarding the Job Corps program from the Office of
    Inspector General of the Department of Labor or the Government
    Accountability Office.''.

    SEC. 168. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

    ``SEC. 162. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
    subtitle $1,760,155,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through
    2032.''.

    SEC. 169. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

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

                         Subtitle E--National Programs

    SEC. 171. NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS.

        Section 166 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3221) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``(25 U.S.C. 450 et
            seq.)'' and inserting ``(25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.)'';
                (2) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(25 U.S.C.
                    450b)'' and inserting ``(25 U.S.C. 5304)''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``(20 U.S.C.
                    7517)'' before the period at the end;
                (3) in subsection (d)(1)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                                (i) by striking ``leading'' and inserting
                            ``or self-employment that leads''; and
                                (ii) by striking the period at the end and
                            inserting ``; and''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(C) are evidence-based, to the extent
                    practicable.'';
                (4) in subsection (d)(2), by striking subparagraph (B) and
            inserting the following:
                        ``(B) Administrative costs.--Not more than 15
                    percent of the funds made available to an entity under
                    subsection (c) may be used for the administrative costs
                    of the activities and services described in
                    subparagraph (A).
                        ``(C) Special rules.--
                                ``(i) Eligibility.--Notwithstanding any
                            other provision of this section, individuals
                            who were eligible to participate in programs
                            under section 401 of the Job Training
                            Partnership Act (as such section was in effect
                            on the day before the date of enactment of the
                            Workforce Investment Act of 1998) shall be
                            eligible to participate in an activity assisted
                            under this section.
                                ``(ii) Transfer of unobligated funds.--An
                            entity receiving funds under subsection (c) may
                            transfer such funds that are unobligated for an
                            award year to the following award year for
                            activities described in subparagraph (A)(i) in
                            that following award year.'';
                (5) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting ``or to develop
            skills necessary for successful self-employment'' before the
            semicolon at the end;
                (6) in subsection (h)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) in the heading, by striking the heading
                            and inserting ``Performance standards'';
                                (ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and
                            inserting the following:
                        ``(A) Consultation on performance standards.--The
                    Secretary, in consultation with the Native American
                    Employment and Training Council, shall develop
                    performance standards on the primary indicators of
                    performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A) that
                    shall be applicable to programs under this section.'';
                    and
                                (iii) in subparagraph (B), in the matter
                            preceding clause (i), by striking ``indicators
                            and'';
                        (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section
                    116(b)(2)(A)'' and all that follows through the period
                    at the end of the paragraph and inserting the
                    following: ``section 116(b)(2)(A)--
                        ``(A) taking into consideration--
                                ``(i) economic conditions;
                                ``(ii) characteristics and needs of the
                            individuals and groups served, including the
                            differences in needs among such groups in
                            various geographic service areas; and
                                ``(iii) other appropriate factors,
                            including the economic circumstances of the
                            communities served; and
                        ``(B) using, to the extent practicable, the
                    statistical adjustment model under section
                    116(b)(3)(A)(viii).''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(3) Program plan.--The levels agreed to under paragraph
            (2) shall be the adjusted levels of performance and shall be
            incorporated in the program plan.
                ``(4) Wage records.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make
                    arrangements with any State or other appropriate entity
                    to facilitate the use of State wage records to evaluate
                    the performance of entities funded under this section
                    on the employment and earnings indicators described in
                    subclauses (I) through (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i)
                    for the purposes of the report required under paragraph
                    (5).
                        ``(B) Other wage records.--For any individual
                    working in Indian country (as defined in section 1151
                    of title 18, United States Code) whose wages are not
                    submitted to a relevant State as an unemployment
                    insurance wage record, the Indian tribe with
                    jurisdiction over that Indian country may submit other
                    forms of documentation of the wages of such individual
                    to the State for purposes of the report required under
                    paragraph (5).
                ``(5) Performance results.--For each program year, the
            Secretary shall make available on a publicly accessible website
            of the Department of Labor a report on the performance, during
            such program year, of entities funded under this section on--
                        ``(A) the primary indicators of performance
                    described in section 116(b)(2)(A); and
                        ``(B) the adjusted levels of performance for such
                    entities as described in paragraph (2).''; and
                (7) in subsection (i)--
                        (A) in paragraph (4)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                        (I) by striking ``Using'' and
                                    inserting the following:
                                ``(i) Establishment.--Using''; and
                                        (II) by adding at the end the
                                    following:
                                ``(ii) Recommendations.--The Secretary
                            shall meet, on not less than an annual basis,
                            with the Council to consider recommendations
                            from the Council on the operation and
                            administration of the programs assisted under
                            this section.'';
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                        (I) by striking ``The Council'' and
                                    inserting the following:
                                ``(i) In general.--The Council''; and
                                        (II) by inserting at the end the
                                    following:
                                ``(ii) Vacancies.--An individual appointed
                            to fill a vacancy on the Council occurring
                            before the expiration of the term for which the
                            predecessor of such individual was appointed
                            shall be appointed only for the remainder of
                            that term. Such an individual may serve on the
                            Council after the expiration of such term until
                            a successor is appointed.''; and
                                (iii) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``,
                            virtually or in person'' before the period at
                            the end; and
                        (B) in paragraph (6)--
                                (i) by striking ``more than one State'' and
                            inserting ``a State'';
                                (ii) by inserting ``or provided by another
                            grantee that receives funds awarded under
                            subtitle B from any State for adult, youth, or
                            dislocated worker programs'' after ``this
                            title'';
                                (iii) by striking ``Governors of the
                            affected States'' and inserting ``Governor of
                            any affected State''; and
                                (iv) by striking ``the States'' and
                            inserting ``the State or other grantee''.

    SEC. 172. MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKER PROGRAMS.

        Section 167 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3222) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) by striking ``To be'' and inserting the
                    following:
                ``(1) In general.--To be''; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(2) Prohibition on geographic limitations.--In
            determining eligibility under paragraph (1), the Secretary may
            not place limitations on the geographic location of the entity
            or on the intended area to be served.'';
                (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
                ``(5) Wage records.--The Secretary shall make arrangements
            with a State or other appropriate entity to facilitate the use
            of State wage records to evaluate the performance of entities
            funded under this section on the employment and earnings
            indicators described in subclauses (I) through (III) of section
            116(b)(2)(A)(i) for the purposes of the report required under
            paragraph (6).
                ``(6) Performance results.--For each program year, the
            Secretary shall make available on a publicly accessible website
            of the Department a report on the performance, during such
            program year, of entities funded under this section on--
                        ``(A) the primary indicators of performance
                    described in section 116(b)(2)(A); and
                        ``(B) the adjusted levels of performance for such
                    entities as described in paragraph (3).'';
                (3) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ``development of
            digital literacy skills,'' after ``literacy instruction,'';
                (4) by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) as
            subsections (f) through (j), respectively;
                (5) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
        ``(e) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 10 percent of the funds
    provided to an entity under this section may be used for the
    administrative costs of the activities and services carried out under
    subsection (d).''; and
                (6) in subsection (i), as so redesignated--
                        (A) in the heading, by striking ``Allocation'' and
                    inserting ``Allocation; Funding Obligation'';
                        (B) by striking ``From'' and inserting the
                    following:
                ``(1) Funding allocation.--From''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(2) Funding obligation.--Funds appropriated and made
            available to carry out this section for any fiscal year may be
            obligated by the Secretary during the period beginning on April
            1 of the calendar year that begins during such fiscal year and
            ending on June 30 of the following calendar year to be made
            available to an entity described in subsection (b).''.

    SEC. 173. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

        (a) General Technical Assistance.--Section 168(a)(1) of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3223(a)(1)) is
    amended--
                (1) by striking ``appropriate training, technical
            assistance, staff development'' and inserting ``appropriate
            education, technical assistance, professional development for
            staff'';
                (2) in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), by striking
            ``training'' each place it appears and inserting ``professional
            development'';
                (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as
            subparagraphs (J) and (K), respectively; and
                (4) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
                        ``(G) assistance to the one-stop delivery system
                    and the Employment Service established under the
                    Wagner-Peyser Act for the integration of basic career
                    service activities pursuant to section 134(c)(2)(A);
                        ``(H) assistance to States with maintaining, and
                    making accessible to jobseekers and employers, the
                    lists of eligible providers of training services
                    required under section 122;
                        ``(I) assistance to States that apply for such
                    assistance under section 122(j) for the purposes
                    described in such subsection;''.
        (b) Performance Accountability Technical Assistance.--Section
    168(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
    3223(b)) is amended--
                (1) in the header, by striking ``Dislocated Worker'' and
            inserting ``Performance Accountability''; and
                (2) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) in the first sentence--
                                (i) by inserting ``, pursuant to paragraphs
                            (1) and (2) of section 116(f),'' after
                            ``technical assistance''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``with respect to
                            employment and training activities for
                            dislocated workers'' and inserting ``with
                            respect to the core programs''; and
                        (B) in the second sentence--
                                (i) by striking ``assistance to dislocated
                            workers'' and inserting ``assistance to
                            individuals served by a core program''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``provided to dislocated
                            workers'' and inserting ``provided to such
                            individuals''.
        (c) Communities Impacted by Substance Use Disorders.--Section 168
    of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3223) is
    further amended by adding at the end the following:
        ``(d) Communities Impacted by Substance Use Disorders.--The
    Secretary shall, as part of the activities described in subsection
    (c)(2), evaluate and disseminate to States and local areas information
    regarding evidence-based and promising practices for addressing the
    economic workforce impacts associated with high rates of substance use
    disorders, which information shall--
                ``(1) be updated annually to reflect the most recent and
            available research; and
                ``(2) include information--
                        ``(A) shared by States and local areas regarding
                    effective practices for addressing such impacts; and
                        ``(B) on how to apply for any funding that may be
                    available under section 170(b)(1)(E).''.

    SEC. 174. EVALUATIONS AND RESEARCH.

        (a) In General.--Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3224) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) in paragraph (2)--
                                (i) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as
                            subparagraph (H);
                                (ii) in subparagraph (F)--
                                        (I) by striking ``; and'' at the
                                    end; and
                                        (II) by inserting ``, including
                                    individuals with barriers to
                                    employment'' after ``demographic
                                    groups''; and
                                (iii) by inserting the following after
                            subparagraph (F):
                        ``(G) the extent to which such programs or
                    activities are using emerging technology to--
                                ``(i) collect, analyze, use, and
                            disseminate accurate and transparent local and
                            State level labor market information;
                                ``(ii) integrate administrative data, in
                            accordance with Federal and State privacy laws,
                            to more comprehensively understand and improve
                            education and workforce outcomes; and
                                ``(iii) identify and address deficiencies
                            in existing Federal, State, and local workforce
                            data infrastructure and related source systems;
                            and'';
                        (B) in paragraph (3)--
                                (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
                            inserting the following:
                        ``(A) In general.--The Secretary''; and
                                (ii) by adding at the end the following new
                            subparagraph:
                        ``(B) Limitation.--The Secretary may not use the
                    authority described in subparagraph (A) if the
                    evaluations required under paragraph (1) have not been
                    initiated or completed in the time period required.'';
                    and
                        (C) in paragraph (4), in the second sentence--
                                (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
                            inserting ``Beginning after the date of
                            enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for
                            America Act of 2026, the Secretary''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``2019'' and inserting
                            ``2028''; and
                (2) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
                ``(4) Studies and reports.--
                        ``(A) Study on employment conditions.--The
                    Secretary, in coordination with other heads of Federal
                    agencies, as appropriate, may conduct a study examining
                    the nature of participants' unsubsidized employment
                    after exit from programs carried out under this Act--
                                ``(i) including with respect to factors
                            such as the availability of paid time off in
                            the employment, health and retirement benefits
                            provided through the employment, workplace
                            safety standards at the place of employment,
                            the predictability and stability of the work
                            schedule for the employment, the ability to
                            obtain through the employment credentials that
                            may permit articulation into a higher level or
                            other degree or credential program, and
                            advancement opportunities in the employment;
                            and
                                ``(ii) that includes a description of the
                            feasibility of Congress establishing, through
                            future legislation, an indicator of performance
                            under section 116 related to such factors.
                        ``(B) Study on improving workforce services for
                    individuals with disabilities.--The Secretary of Labor,
                    in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human
                    Services, may conduct studies that analyze the access
                    to services by individuals with disabilities, including
                    whether an individual who is unable to receive services
                    under title IV due to a wait list for such services is
                    able to receive services under titles I through III.
                        ``(C) Study on the effectiveness of pay for
                    performance.--The Secretary shall, not later than 4
                    years after the date of enactment of the A Stronger
                    Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a study
                    that--
                                ``(i) compares the effectiveness of the
                            pay-for-performance strategies used under
                            sections 129, 134, and 172 after such date of
                            enactment to the awarding of grants and
                            contracts under such sections as in effect on
                            the day before the date of enactment of such
                            Act; and
                                ``(ii) examines, with respect to grants
                            under sections 129, 134, and 172 after such
                            date of enactment--
                                        ``(I) the competition structure of
                                    pay-for-performance grants and
                                    contracts under such sections;
                                        ``(II) the quality of applications
                                    received for grants and contracts under
                                    such sections; and
                                        ``(III) whether individuals with
                                    barriers to employment were effectively
                                    served under the pay-for-performance
                                    strategies for grants and contracts
                                    under such sections.
                        ``(D) Study on individual training accounts for
                    dislocated workers.--The Secretary shall, not later
                    than 4 years after the date of enactment of the A
                    Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, conduct a
                    study that compares the usage of individual training
                    accounts for dislocated workers after such date of
                    enactment to the usage of such accounts prior to such
                    date of enactment, including a comparison of--
                                ``(i) the types of training services and
                            occupations targeted by dislocated workers when
                            using their individual training accounts; and
                                ``(ii) the effectiveness of the skills
                            development funded through individual training
                            accounts in helping such individuals attain
                            credentials and secure unsubsidized employment.
                        ``(E) Study on statewide critical industry skills
                    funds.--The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years
                    after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce
                    for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that will
                    review the usage of statewide critical industry skills
                    funds established by States under section 134(a)(4) and
                    identify, for purposes of measuring the overall
                    effectiveness of the program--
                                ``(i) the industries targeted by the funds
                            under section 134(a)(4);
                                ``(ii) the occupations for which workers
                            are being upskilled;
                                ``(iii) how frequently skills development
                            is provided to prospective workers and
                            incumbent workers, and
                                ``(iv) the reported performance outcomes.
                        ``(F) Study on industry or sector partnership and
                    career pathways development funds.--The Secretary
                    shall, not later than 4 years after the date of
                    enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act
                    of 2026, conduct a study that will review the usage of
                    industry or sector partnership and career pathways
                    development funds established by States under section
                    134(a)(5) and identify, for purposes of measuring the
                    overall effectiveness of the program--
                                ``(i) the industries targeted by the funds
                            under section 134(a)(5) and the growth in
                            employment opportunities in such industries
                            over the period of the study;
                                ``(ii) the occupations workers are
                            receiving skills development for and how
                            frequently such skills development is occurring
                            through the funds under section 134(a)(5);
                                ``(iii) the States where such funds were
                            used to establish new industry or sector
                            partnerships, the States where such funds were
                            used to expand existing industry or sector
                            partnerships, and an overview of the types of
                            partners participating in such partnerships;
                            and
                                ``(iv) the reported performance outcomes.
                        ``(G) Study on the effectiveness of employer-based
                    training.--The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years
                    after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce
                    for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that measures
                    the effectiveness of on-the-job training, employer-
                    directed skills training, apprenticeship, and incumbent
                    worker training under this title in preparing
                    jobseekers and workers, including those with barriers
                    to employment, for unsubsidized employment. Such study
                    shall include the cost per participant and wage and
                    employment outcomes, as compared to other methods of
                    training.
                        ``(H) Study on the effectiveness and use of
                    emerging technology in the workforce development
                    system.--The Secretary shall, not later than 4 years
                    after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce
                    for America Act of 2026, conduct a study that--
                                ``(i) measures the effectiveness of
                            emerging technology (including artificial
                            intelligence and machine learning) and other
                            advanced computational methods, in improving
                            State workforce development system service
                            delivery, labor market data system performance,
                            data collection and integration to understand
                            participant and program outcomes, and end-user
                            tools for facilitating career exploration or
                            related data insights;
                                ``(ii) measures the extent to which States
                            have adopted and implemented such technology
                            and methods in their workforce development
                            systems, including by describing how the
                            technology or method is being used, analyzing
                            the accuracy of such technology or method, and
                            identifying any exhibited bias by any such
                            technology or method; and
                                ``(iii) includes an analysis of the
                            consequences of advances in automation
                            technology on employment opportunities, skills
                            development, including digital literacy skills
                            development, and worker dislocation.
                        ``(I) Study on the alignment between education and
                    workforce development systems.--The Secretary of Labor,
                    shall, not later than 4 years after the date of
                    enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act
                    of 2026, conduct a study on the alignment of workforce
                    development programs under this Act with elementary and
                    secondary education and postsecondary education. The
                    study shall examine--
                                ``(i) State efforts to integrate data
                            related to career and technical education
                            programs, dual enrollment programs, pre-
                            apprenticeships and apprenticeships, and other
                            work-based learning programs to inform
                            decisionmaking and improve educational
                            opportunities and outcomes;
                                ``(ii) challenges related to and strategies
                            that promote such alignment to facilitate
                            student participation in high-quality college
                            and career pathways; and
                                ``(iii) governance structures and funding
                            sources to promote such alignment.
                        ``(J) Study on job corps.--The Secretary of Labor
                    shall, not later than 4 years after the date of
                    enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act
                    of 2026, conduct an evaluation that--
                                ``(i) uses the most rigorous available
                            methods that are appropriate and feasible to
                            evaluate program effectiveness;
                                ``(ii) measures the effect of the Job Corps
                            program on participating individuals on
                            outcomes related to the purposes described in
                            section 141(1), including educational
                            attainment, employment, earnings, and other
                            related outcomes, compared with the non-
                            participant peers of those individuals, to
                            determine if the program has a statistically
                            significant effect (including long-term
                            effects) on such outcomes; and
                                ``(iii) evaluates the cost-effectiveness of
                            the program.
                        ``(K) Reports.--The Secretary shall prepare and
                    disseminate to the Committee on Health, Education,
                    Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on
                    Education and Workforce of the House of
                    Representatives, and on the publicly available website
                    of the Department, reports containing the results of
                    the studies conducted under this paragraph.''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (5), by adding at the end the
                    following:
                        ``(C) Evaluation of grants.--
                                ``(i) In general.--For each grant or
                            contract awarded under this paragraph, the
                            Secretary shall conduct a rigorous evaluation
                            of the multistate project to determine the
                            impact of the activities supported by the
                            project, including the impact on the employment
                            and earnings of program participants.
                                ``(ii) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare
                            and disseminate to the Committee on Health,
                            Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate
                            and the Committee on Education and Workforce of
                            the House of Representatives, and to the
                            public, including through electronic means,
                            reports containing the results of evaluations
                            conducted under this subparagraph.''.
        (b) Workforce Data Quality Initiative.--Section 169 of the
    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3224) is further
    amended by adding at the end the following:
        ``(d) Workforce Data Quality Initiative.--
                ``(1) Grant program.--Of the amount made available pursuant
            to section 132(a)(2)(A) for any program year, the Secretary
            shall use not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent
            of such amount, and may also use funds authorized for purposes
            of carrying out this section, to award grants to eligible
            entities to create workforce longitudinal data systems, talent
            marketplaces, and associated resources for the purposes of
            assisting States to--
                        ``(A) improve program quality;
                        ``(B) produce evidence for decision making;
                        ``(C) meet performance reporting requirements;
                        ``(D) protect the privacy of users; and
                        ``(E) improve transparency in relation to labor
                    market trends and changes in job skills needed to
                    obtain employment.
                ``(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
            this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit an application
            to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the
            Secretary may require, which shall include--
                        ``(A) a description of the activities the eligible
                    entity is proposing, including a description of the
                    need for such activities and a detailed budget;
                        ``(B) a description of the expected outcomes and
                    outputs (such as systems or products) that will result
                    from the proposed activities and the proposed uses of
                    such outputs;
                        ``(C) a description of how the proposed activities
                    will support the reporting of performance data for the
                    performance accountability requirements under section
                    116, including outcomes for eligible training
                    providers;
                        ``(D) a description of the methods and procedures
                    the eligible entity will use to ensure the security and
                    privacy of the collection, storage, and use of all data
                    involved in the systems and resources supported through
                    the grant, including compliance with State and Federal
                    privacy and confidentiality law;
                        ``(E) a plan for how the eligible entity will
                    continue the activities or sustain the use of the
                    outputs created with the grant funds after the grant
                    period ends; and
                        ``(F) a description of how the eligible entity will
                    ensure interoperability and portability between the
                    talent marketplace maintained by the eligible entity
                    and other talent marketplaces through the use of open
                    standards.
                ``(3) Priority.--In awarding grants under the subsection,
            the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
                        ``(A) are--
                                ``(i) State agencies of States that have
                            not previously received a grant from the
                            Secretary for the purposes of this subsection
                            and demonstrate a substantial need to improve
                            its data infrastructure, including for the
                            development of a talent marketplace; or
                                ``(ii) consortia of State agencies that are
                            comprised of State agencies from multiple
                            States and include at least one State agency
                            described in clause (i) and have the capacity
                            to make significant contributions toward
                            building interoperable and portable interstate
                            data infrastructure; and
                        ``(B) will use grant funds to--
                                ``(i) expand the adoption and use of
                            linked, publicly available, and interoperable
                            data on knowledge, skills, and abilities
                            represented through credentials, occupational
                            job descriptions, and learning assertions,
                            including through the development of a talent
                            marketplace or other tools and services
                            designed to help learners and workers make
                            informed decisions;
                                ``(ii) participate in and contribute data
                            to a multistate data collaborative, including
                            data that provides participating States the
                            ability to better understand--
                                        ``(I) earnings and employment
                                    outcomes of individuals who work out-
                                    of-State; and
                                        ``(II) interstate earnings and
                                    employment trends;
                                ``(iii) enhance collaboration with private
                            sector workforce and labor market data entities
                            and the end-users of workforce and labor market
                            data, including individuals, employers,
                            economic development agencies, and workforce
                            development providers;
                                ``(iv) leverage the use of non-Federal
                            contributions to improve workforce data
                            infrastructure, including staff capacity
                            building; or
                                ``(v) expand existing statewide integrated
                            longitudinal data systems, including such
                            systems receiving assistance under section 208
                            of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of
                            2002 (20 U.S.C. 9607).
                ``(4) Use of funds.--In addition to the activities
            described in paragraph (3)(B), an eligible entity awarded a
            grant under this subsection may use funds to carry out any of
            the following activities:
                        ``(A) Developing or enhancing a State's workforce
                    longitudinal data system, including by participating
                    and contributing data to the State's data system, if
                    applicable, that links with elementary and secondary
                    school and postsecondary data.
                        ``(B) Accelerating the replication and adoption of
                    data systems, projects, products, or practices already
                    in use in one or more States to other States.
                        ``(C) Research and labor market data improvement
                    activities to improve the timeliness, relevance, and
                    accessibility of such data through pilot projects that
                    are developed locally but designed to scale to other
                    regions or States.
                        ``(D) Establishing or enhancing a talent
                    marketplace.
                        ``(E) Developing policies, guidelines, and security
                    measures for data collection, storing, and sharing to
                    ensure compliance with relevant Federal and State
                    privacy laws and regulations.
                        ``(F) Increasing local board access to and
                    integration with the State's workforce longitudinal
                    data system in a secure manner.
                        ``(G) Creating or participating in a data exchange
                    for collecting and using standards-based jobs and
                    employment data including, at a minimum, job titles or
                    occupation codes.
                        ``(H) Improving State and local staff capacity to
                    understand, use, and analyze data to improve decision-
                    making and improve participant outcomes.
                ``(5) Administration.--
                        ``(A) Duration.--A grant awarded under this
                    subsection may be for a period of up to 3 years.
                        ``(B) Supplement, not supplant.--Funds made
                    available under this subsection shall be used to
                    supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, or
                    local funds used for development of State data systems.
                        ``(C) Report.--Each eligible entity that receives a
                    grant under this subsection shall submit a report to
                    the Secretary not later than 180 days after the
                    conclusion of the grant period on the activities
                    supported through the grant and improvements in the use
                    of workforce and labor market information that have
                    resulted from such activities.
                ``(6) Definition.--In this subsection--
                        ``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
                    means a State agency, including a State workforce
                    agency or a consortium of State agencies, including a
                    multistate data collaborative, that is or includes the
                    State agency responsible for--
                                ``(i) State employer wage records used by
                            the State's unemployment insurance programs in
                            labor market information reporting and analysis
                            and for fulfilling the reporting requirements
                            under section 116(d);
                                ``(ii) the production of labor market
                            information; and
                                ``(iii) the direct administration of one or
                            more of the core programs.
                        ``(B) Multistate data collaborative.--The term
                    `multistate data collaborative' means a partnership
                    among two or more States to coordinate the governance
                    and standards for workforce related data maintained by
                    such States in order to facilitate interoperability and
                    the secure exchange of such data between such
                    States.''.

    SEC. 175. NATIONAL DISLOCATED WORKER GRANTS.

        Section 170 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3225) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking
                            ``and'' at the end;
                                (ii) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking
                            the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
                            and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(E) to an entity described in subsection
                    (c)(1)(B) to provide employment and training activities
                    related to the prevention and treatment of substance
                    use disorders, including addiction treatment, mental
                    health treatment, and pain management, in an area that,
                    as a result of widespread substance use, addiction, and
                    overdoses, has higher-than-average demand for such
                    activities that exceeds the availability of State and
                    local resources to provide such activities.''; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(3) Performance results.--The Secretary shall collect the
            necessary information from each entity receiving a grant under
            this section to determine the performance of such entity on the
            primary indicators of performance described in section
            116(b)(2)(A)(i) and make such information available on the
            publicly accessible website of the Department in a format that
            does not reveal personally identifiable information.''; and
                (2) in subsection (c)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                                (i) by striking ``subsection (b)(1)(A)''
                            and inserting ``subparagraph (A) or (E) of
                            subsection (b)(1)''; and
                                 (ii) by striking ``, in such manner, and
                            containing such information'' and inserting
                            ``and in such manner''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (2)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (B)--
                                        (I) in the heading, by striking
                                    ``Retraining'' and inserting
                                    ``Reskilling''; and
                                        (II) by striking ``retraining'' and
                                    inserting ``reskilling'';
                                (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and
                            (D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
                            and
                                (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (B)
                            the following:
                        ``(C) Substance use related grants.--In order to be
                    eligible to receive employment and training assistance
                    under a national dislocated worker grant awarded
                    pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(E), an individual shall
                    be--
                                ``(i) a dislocated worker;
                                ``(ii) a long-term unemployed individual;
                                ``(iii) an individual who is unemployed or
                            significantly underemployed as a result of
                            widespread substance use in the area; or
                                ``(iv) an individual who is employed or
                            seeking employment in a health care profession
                            involved in the prevention and treatment of
                            substance use disorders, including such
                            professions that provide addiction treatment,
                            mental health treatment, or pain management.''.

    SEC. 176. YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM.

        Section 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3226) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (b)(7), by striking ``(25 U.S.C. 450b)''
            and inserting ``(25 U.S.C. 5304)'';
                (2) in subsection (c)--
                        (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
                ``(1) Amount of grants; reservation.--
                        ``(A) Amount of grants.--Subject to subparagraph
                    (B), the Secretary is authorized to make grants to
                    applicants for the purpose of carrying out YouthBuild
                    programs approved under this section.
                        ``(B) Reservation for rural areas and indian
                    tribes.--
                                ``(i) Tribal reservation.--Subject to
                            clause (iii), in carrying out subparagraph (A),
                            the Secretary shall reserve not less than 5
                            percent of the total amount appropriated for
                            the purposes of that subparagraph to make
                            grants to applicants that are--
                                        ``(I) Indian tribes, tribal
                                    organizations, or Native Hawaiian
                                    organizations (as such term is defined
                                    in section 166(b)); or
                                        ``(II) carrying out programs for
                                    the benefit of Indians.
                                ``(ii) Rural reservation.--Subject to
                            clause (iii), in carrying out subparagraph (A),
                            the Secretary shall reserve not less than 10
                            percent of the total amount appropriated for
                            purposes of that subparagraph to make grants to
                            applicants that are located in rural areas.
                                ``(iii) Exception.--If the Secretary does
                            not receive a sufficient number of applications
                            of sufficient quality to award the amounts
                            reserved under clause (i) or amounts reserved
                            under clause (ii) in accordance with the
                            requirements of the applicable clause, the
                            Secretary may--
                                        ``(I) award grants to applicants
                                    described in clause (i) or clause (ii),
                                    as the case may be, in an amount not to
                                    exceed $1,500,000 per grant; and
                                        ``(II) use any remaining amount
                                    reserved under the applicable clause
                                    to, notwithstanding the requirements of
                                    that clause, award grants under
                                    subparagraph (A) to other applications
                                    that are not described in such
                                    clause.'';
                        (B) in paragraph (2)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                        (I) in clause (iv)--
                                                (aa) in subclause (II), by
                                            striking ``language learners''
                                            and inserting ``learners'';
                                                (bb) in subclause (III), by
                                            striking ``a secondary'' and
                                            inserting ``a regular high'';
                                            and
                                                (cc) in subclause (IV), by
                                            striking ``required'' and
                                            inserting ``available Federal,
                                            State, or institutional'';
                                        (II) in clause (v), by striking
                                    ``drug and alcohol abuse'' and
                                    inserting ``substance use disorder'';
                                        (III) in clause (vii)--
                                                (aa) by inserting ``to
                                            ensure full participation in a
                                            YouthBuild program, including
                                            such services for individuals
                                            with disabilities,'' after
                                            ``services''; and
                                                (bb) by inserting
                                            ``unsubsidized'' after
                                            ``retaining''; and
                                        (IV) in clause (viii), by inserting
                                    ``, including career services'' after
                                    ``assistance''; and
                                (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(I) Provision of meals and other food assistance
                    to participants in conjunction with another activity
                    described in this paragraph.
                        ``(J) Provision of information on and referral to
                    Federal and State means tested programs.'';
                        (C) in paragraph (3)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``such
                            time, in such manner, and containing such
                            information'' and inserting ``such time and in
                            such manner''; and
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                        (I) in the header, by striking
                                    ``Minimum requirements'' and inserting
                                    ``Requirements'';
                                        (II) by striking ``, at a
                                    minimum'';
                                        (III) in clause (iii), by striking
                                    ``unions'' and inserting ``labor
                                    organizations'';
                                        (IV) by amending clause (v) to read
                                    as follows:
                                ``(v) a description of the educational and
                            job training activities, work opportunities,
                            postsecondary education and training
                            opportunities, and other services that will be
                            provided to participants, and how those
                            activities, opportunities, and services will--
                                        ``(I) prepare youth for employment
                                    in in-demand industry sectors or
                                    occupations in the labor market area
                                    described in clause (i); and
                                        ``(II) support youth in attaining a
                                    regular high school diploma or its
                                    recognized equivalent;'';
                                        (V) in clause (vii), by striking
                                    ``(including agencies of Indian
                                    tribes)'' and inserting ``, Indian
                                    tribes, tribal organizations, and
                                    tribal educational agencies (as such
                                    term is defined in section 6132(b) of
                                    the Elementary and Secondary Education
                                    Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452(b)))'';
                                        (VI) in clause (x), by inserting
                                    ``located in the region proposed to be
                                    served by such applicant, as
                                    applicable'' after ``tribes'';
                                        (VII) by amending clause (xii) to
                                    read as follows:
                                ``(xii) a description of the levels of
                            performance the applicant expects to achieve on
                            the primary indicators of performance described
                            in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii);'';
                                        (VIII) in clause (xiii), by
                                    striking ``unions'' and inserting
                                    ``labor organizations'';
                                        (IX) by redesignating clauses (xv)
                                    through (xxi) as clauses (xvi) through
                                    (xxii), respectively; and
                                        (X) by inserting after clause (xiv)
                                    the following:
                                ``(xv) a description of any strategies the
                            applicant will use to engage program
                            participants in providing feedback and
                            informing decision-making related to the
                            program;''; and
                        (D) in paragraph (4)--
                                (i) by striking ``such selection criteria
                            as the Secretary shall establish under this
                            section, which shall include criteria'' and
                            inserting ``selection criteria'';
                                (ii) in subparagraph (J)(iii), by adding
                            ``and'' after the semicolon;
                                (iii) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``;
                            and'' and inserting a period; and
                                (iv) by striking subparagraph (L);
                (3) in subsection (e)(1)(B)(i)--
                        (A) by striking ``are basic skills deficient'' and
                    inserting ``have foundational skill needs''; and
                        (B) by striking ``secondary'' and inserting
                    ``regular high'';
                (4) in subsection (f), by striking paragraph (2) and
            inserting the following:
                ``(2) Use of wage records.--The Secretary shall make
            arrangements with a State or other appropriate entity to
            facilitate the use of State wage records to evaluate the
            performance of YouthBuild programs funded under this section on
            the employment and earnings indicators described in section
            116(b)(2)(A)(ii) for the purposes of the report required under
            paragraph (3).
                ``(3) Performance results.--For each program year, the
            Secretary shall make available, on a publicly accessible
            website of the Department, a report on the performance of
            YouthBuild programs, during such program year, funded under
            this section on--
                        ``(A) the primary indicators of performance
                    described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii); and
                        ``(B) the expected levels of performance for such
                    programs as described in paragraph (1).
                ``(4) Consultation.--In establishing expected levels of
            performance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult,
            on not less than an annual basis, with entities carrying out
            YouthBuild programs to ensure such levels of performance
            account for the workforce development and postsecondary
            education experiences of youth served by such programs.'';
                (5) in subsection (g), by inserting at the end the
            following:
                ``(4) Annual release of funding opportunity announcement.--
            The Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable,
            announce new funding opportunities for grants under this
            section during the same time period each year for which such
            grants are available.''; and
                (6) by amending subsection (i) to read as follows:
        ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
    appropriated to carry out this section $105,000,000 for each of the
    fiscal years 2027 through 2032.''.

    SEC. 177. REENTRY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

        Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
    Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating section 172 as section 175; and
                (2) by inserting after section 171 the following:

    ``SEC. 172. REENTRY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

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

    SEC. 178. YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP READINESS GRANT PROGRAM.

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

    ``SEC. 173. YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP READINESS GRANT PROGRAM.

        ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
                ``(1) to increase earnings and employment for in-school
            youth and out-of-school youth, ages 16 through 24, through
            enrollment in and completion of evidence-based pre-
            apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs that serve
            youth;
                ``(2) to engage educational entities, organizations
            carrying out programs that serve out-of-school youth, local
            educational agencies, State boards, local boards, employers,
            workforce partners (including one-stop partners), and other
            apprenticeship intermediaries, to establish innovative models
            for pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs
            that serve youth, including coordinating with programs that
            offer supportive services that can enable participation in and
            completion of the program; and
                ``(3) to promote alignment between education and workforce
            development systems (such as through public-private
            partnerships) to enable in-school youth and out-of-school youth
            to participate in postsecondary education and career pathways,
            including apprenticeships, that result in careers.
        ``(b) Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant Program.--
                ``(1) In general.--From the amounts made available to carry
            out this section under section 414(c) of the American
            Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (29 U.S.C. 3224a)
            and not reserved under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall, on a
            competitive basis, make grants to eligible entities for
            projects to develop new or expand existing pre-apprenticeship
            programs and apprenticeships that serve youth.
                ``(2) Administrative reservation.--Of the amounts made
            available to carry out this section, the Secretary may reserve
            not more than 5 percent for the administration of grants made
            under this section, including--
                        ``(A) not more than 3 percent for the provision of
                    technical assistance to eligible entities during the
                    application period or the implementation phase of such
                    grant; and
                        ``(B) not more than 2 percent for evaluations of
                    employment and earnings outcomes described in clauses
                    (vi), (vii), and (viii) of subsection (e)(2)(B),
                    identifying best practices, and facilitating the
                    sharing of best practices among eligible entities by
                    carrying out the identification and dissemination
                    described in subsection (f)(2).
                ``(3) Grant period.--The Secretary shall make such a grant
            for a period of not more than 4 years and may extend the grant
            for a period of not more than 2 additional years if the grant
            recipient is making progress in achieving the objectives of the
            project's identified programs.
                ``(4) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the
            Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
                        ``(A) serve an area with significant workforce
                    shortages in the industry sector or occupation for
                    which the eligible entity proposes to establish an
                    identified program;
                        ``(B) propose to expand or have a demonstrated
                    track record of expanding employment opportunities and
                    career pathways for individuals with a barrier to
                    employment;
                        ``(C) propose to primarily serve a population that
                    is located in a rural or urban community and has an
                    area median household income of not more than 150
                    percent of the poverty line; or
                        ``(D) include within the eligible entity a high-
                    need local educational agency or a high-need
                    educational service agency.
                ``(5) Matching requirement for grants.--In order to receive
            a grant from the Secretary under this section, an eligible
            entity shall provide a non-Federal contribution, which may be
            provided in cash or in-kind, for the costs of the project in an
            amount that is not less than 25 percent of the total amount of
            funds awarded to the entity for such period.
        ``(c) Application.--An eligible entity that desires to receive a
    grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
    at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require and shall
    include the following:
                ``(1)(A) A description of the eligible entity's proposed
            project, to be supported by such grant, including a provision
            identifying whether such project will develop or expand 1 or
            more pre-apprenticeship programs or 1 or more apprenticeship
            programs that serve youth.
        ``(B) Except in the case of an identified program by an eligible
    entity described in subsection (i)(5)(A)(i) that is an apprenticeship
    program that serves youth and requires each enrolled youth apprentice
    to have a regular high school diploma (or recognized equivalent) as a
    condition of enrollment, an assurance that each identified program will
    be designed to enable--
                ``(i) in-school youth to receive a regular high school
            diploma (in partnership with the local educational agency that
            serves such youth) and receive a recognized postsecondary
            credential (other than such a credential that is a
            baccalaureate degree) upon completion of the program; or
                ``(ii) out-of-school youth to receive a high school diploma
            or recognized equivalent and receive a recognized postsecondary
            credential (other than such a credential that is a
            baccalaureate degree) upon completion of the program.
                ``(2) A description of the eligible entity and a
            description of how such eligible entity will--
                        ``(A) engage with employers to develop or expand,
                    and sustain, each identified program; and
                        ``(B) combine academic, career and technical
                    education, or related classroom instruction with on-
                    the-job training, allowing youth to develop industry-
                    specific or occupation-specific workplace competencies
                    and skills.
                ``(3) A description of the need for and design of the
            project, including--
                        ``(A) a description of the specific youth
                    population to be served by the project, including--
                                ``(i) the subgroups of participants in the
                            population and skill levels of such
                            participants, and whether such participants are
                            in-school youth or out-of-school youth;
                                ``(ii) how the project will increase
                            employment opportunities for youth who are
                            individuals with a barrier to employment and
                            youth from different subgroups of participants;
                            and
                                ``(iii) how the eligible entity will ensure
                            that a wide range of youth, including youth who
                            are individuals with a barrier to employment
                            and youth from different subgroups of
                            participants, are able to participate in each
                            identified program;
                        ``(B) a description of the industry sector or
                    occupation targeted through the eligible entity's
                    proposed project, the projected demand for the project
                    in the area served by the eligible entity, and a
                    citation of the data source for the projected demand;
                        ``(C) a description of the on-the-job training
                    portion of the project, including a list of the
                    partners responsible for providing the on-the-job
                    training, and how such training will be designed
                    flexibly to meet the needs and schedule of in-school
                    youth and out-of-school youth;
                        ``(D) a description of the related classroom
                    instruction portion of the project, including--
                                ``(i) how coursework for that instruction
                            will be integrated into each identified program
                            and developed in conjunction with and provided
                            by education and training providers that are or
                            are within the eligible entity, the specific
                            partners that will provide the related
                            classroom instruction, and (as applicable) how
                            the program may be aligned with the programs of
                            early college high schools or dual or
                            concurrent enrollment programs to support youth
                            pre-apprentices or apprentices involved in
                            earning postsecondary credit;
                                ``(ii) with respect to an identified
                            project by an eligible entity described in
                            subsection (i)(5)(A)(ii) that is designed to
                            serve in-school youth, a description of how the
                            eligible entity, through the project, will
                            partner with the local educational agency that
                            serves such youth to align challenging State
                            academic standards and occupational skill
                            standards to enable such youth to obtain a
                            regular high school diploma while served by the
                            program; and
                                ``(iii) an explanation of how the project
                            will combine academic, career and technical
                            education, or related classroom instruction
                            with on-the-job training;
                        ``(E) a description of the proposed supportive
                    services strategy for the youth pre-apprentices or
                    apprentices involved, how the project will partner with
                    or refer youth pre-apprentices or apprentices to
                    entities in the area served by the eligible entity that
                    provide supportive services, how such supportive
                    services will promote retention in and completion of
                    the identified program involved, and the projected
                    Federal, State, and local costs of such supportive
                    services;
                        ``(F) if the eligible entity proposes to operate an
                    apprenticeship program that serves youth--
                                ``(i) the youth apprenticeship agreement
                            the eligible entity intends to use;
                                ``(ii) a description of how such eligible
                            entity will incorporate into the apprenticeship
                            program recognized postsecondary credentials
                            that enable youth apprentices to articulate to
                            employment or higher level degree or other
                            credential programs for multiple pathways,
                            including enrollment in postsecondary education
                            and employment; and
                                ``(iii) if the eligible entity proposes to
                            develop a new apprenticeship program that
                            serves youth, a description of how the lead
                            applicant and partners will register such new
                            program with the Office of Apprenticeship or
                            State apprenticeship agency and ensure the
                            employer or sponsor is in compliance with the
                            standards and requirements of a registered
                            apprenticeship 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.), and that youth apprentices will earn
                            a recognized postsecondary credential; and
                        ``(G) if the eligible entity proposes to operate a
                    pre-apprenticeship program--
                                ``(i) a description of how the eligible
                            entity, through the program, will connect
                            participants to and prepare participants for an
                            apprenticeship program; and
                                ``(ii) an explanation of how the eligible
                            entity, in carrying out the project involved,
                            will work with alternative and non-traditional
                            schools, institutions of higher education, and
                            out-of-school youth programs.
                ``(4) A description of how the eligible entity will promote
            alignment between local or State education and workforce
            development systems by supporting policies or practices that
            facilitate transitions from secondary school (including
            alternative and nontraditional schools) and pre-apprenticeship
            programs to apprenticeship programs and postsecondary
            education.
                ``(5) A description of expected outcomes and outputs from
            the project that includes--
                        ``(A) an attestation that the eligible entity will
                    report to the Secretary, in a timely and complete
                    manner, the information required under subsection (e);
                    and
                        ``(B) estimated levels of performance over each
                    year of the grant period for each of the indicators
                    described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection
                    (e)(2).
                ``(6) A description of the roles and responsibilities of
            each entity involved in the project, including any such entity
            that is a State or local government entity, qualified
            intermediary, service provider, independent evaluator, or other
            stakeholder.
                ``(7) An attestation that the eligible entity has, or will
            attempt to develop, a memorandum of understanding with any
            relevant State workforce agency to facilitate matches to wage
            record data for youth pre-apprentices or apprentices to obtain
            the necessary information to fulfill the requirements of
            subsection (e)(2).
                ``(8) The total intended budget for the project, including
            a description of any additional resources that may supplement
            the amount awarded under this section, including any funds the
            eligible entity intends to use to fulfill the matching funds
            requirement described under subsection (b)(5), and a
            description of the eligible entity's plan to sustain the
            project funded through the grant beyond the conclusion of the
            grant period.
                ``(9) For any program offering a recognized postsecondary
            credential, a description of how the program leads to the
            credential.
        ``(d) Uses of Funds.--
                ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
            under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out the
            project proposed under subsection (c) for purposes of carrying
            out 1 or more of the following activities:
                        ``(A) Develop or expand a pre-apprenticeship
                    program.
                        ``(B) Develop or expand an apprenticeship program
                    that serves youth, including registering such a program
                    and its youth apprentices through the Office of
                    Apprenticeship or an applicable State apprenticeship
                    agency.
                ``(2) Additional uses.--An eligible entity receiving a
            grant under this section may use the grant funds, for each
            identified program, to--
                        ``(A) recruit youth to and enroll youth in an
                    identified program, including conducting outreach to
                    individuals with a barrier to employment and
                    individuals preparing for nontraditional employment
                    (when the identified program is in such field);
                        ``(B) conduct participant assessments to determine
                    skill levels;
                        ``(C) support the provision of on-the-job training
                    for participants in accordance with subsection
                    (c)(3)(C), including by developing or modifying
                    training activities to meet the needs of participants,
                    as applicable;
                        ``(D) support the provision of related classroom
                    instruction by education and training providers for
                    participants in accordance with subsection (c)(3)(D),
                    including--
                                ``(i) the development of courses at the
                            secondary level--
                                        ``(I) that are aligned with
                                    requirements to obtain a regular high
                                    school diploma and integrated into the
                                    identified program; and
                                        ``(II) that may be aligned with the
                                    requirements of early college high
                                    schools or dual or concurrent
                                    enrollment programs to support youth
                                    pre-apprentices or youth apprentices
                                    involved in earning postsecondary
                                    credit;
                                ``(ii) if the identified program is
                            designed to serve in-school youth, the
                            alignment of challenging State academic
                            standards and occupational skill standards in
                            secondary education;
                                ``(iii) payment of participant tuition or
                            other educational fees for projects; and
                                ``(iv) the provision of instructional
                            materials, equipment, and educational
                            technology for such instruction;
                        ``(E) provide supportive services such as
                    transportation, child care, dependent care, housing,
                    and needs-related payments to enable youth to
                    participate in and complete the education and training
                    activities of the identified program;
                        ``(F) provide professional development
                    opportunities for secondary and postsecondary
                    educators, and employers and mentors in the project, to
                    prepare the educators, employers, and mentors to
                    effectively support youth participating in the
                    identified program;
                        ``(G) increase awareness among parents, educators,
                    students (especially individuals with a barrier to
                    employment, individuals from underserved populations,
                    and individuals from nontraditional apprenticeship
                    populations), and employers or apprenticeship sponsors
                    in the targeted service area about the benefits of
                    youth participating in a pre-apprenticeship program or
                    an apprenticeship program that serves youth;
                        ``(H) promote innovation, inclusion in the
                    identified program, and alignment of the program with
                    programs authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Career
                    and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et
                    seq.); and
                        ``(I) develop and integrate data collection
                    systems, including within a statewide longitudinal data
                    system, to track educational and employment outcomes of
                    participants in the identified program.
                ``(3) Supportive services.--An eligible entity receiving a
            grant under this section may use, as provided in paragraph
            (2)(E), not more than 15 percent of grant funds awarded under
            this section to provide supportive services in accordance with
            that paragraph.
        ``(e) Levels of Performance.--
                ``(1) Targeted levels of performance.--
                        ``(A) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a
                    grant under this section shall, in accordance with the
                    indicators for participant outcomes described in
                    paragraph (2)(B) and for program outputs described in
                    paragraph (2)(C), identify targeted levels of
                    performance for such indicators, which shall, at
                    minimum, be equal to or greater than the estimated
                    levels of performance identified by the eligible entity
                    in the entity's application under subsection (c)(5).
                        ``(B) Agreement on targeted levels of
                    performance.--Not later than 2 months after the
                    identification described in subparagraph (A), the
                    eligible entity shall reach an agreement with the
                    Secretary on levels of performance for each indicator
                    described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph
                    (2).
                ``(2) Annual recipient report.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after
                    receipt of a grant under this section and annually
                    thereafter, the eligible entity shall prepare and
                    submit to the Secretary a report evaluating the
                    performance and impact of the project funded through
                    the grant with respect to participant outcome and
                    program output indicators described in subparagraphs
                    (B) and (C), disaggregated by the subgroups of
                    participants subject to paragraph (3).
                        ``(B) Participant outcomes.--Consistent with
                    subparagraph (A), an eligible entity receiving a grant
                    under this section shall report to the Secretary data,
                    for each identified program carried out by the eligible
                    entity, on participant outcome indicators for each such
                    program consisting of the--
                                ``(i) total participants served and
                            enrolled in any identified program,
                            disaggregated by youth pre-apprentices and
                            apprentices;
                                ``(ii) retention rate during each fiscal
                            year of participants enrolled in any identified
                            program in the project that have not completed
                            such program, compared to that retention rate
                            for the previous fiscal year, disaggregated by
                            youth pre-apprentices and apprentices;
                                ``(iii) total participants who attain a
                            regular high school diploma or recognized
                            equivalent, disaggregated by youth pre-
                            apprentices and apprentices;
                                ``(iv) total participants who complete such
                            an identified program;
                                ``(v) total participants who receive an
                            associate or baccalaureate degree or other type
                            of recognized postsecondary credential during
                            or upon completion of the identified program;
                                ``(vi) median hourly wage of youth pre-
                            apprentices (as applicable) or youth
                            apprentices on the date of exit from the
                            identified program and during the second and
                            fourth quarters after exit from the program,
                            and a comparison of such wage to the local
                            median hourly wage for the industry sector or
                            occupation for which the identified program is
                            targeted;
                                ``(vii) total participants in employment
                            during the second and fourth quarter after exit
                            from the program; and
                                ``(viii) total participants who complete a
                            pre-apprenticeship program, disaggregated by
                            the type of education, skills development, and
                            apprenticeship opportunities or employment
                            pursued by such youth pre-apprentices after
                            such completion.
                        ``(C) Program outputs.--Consistent with
                    subparagraph (A), an eligible entity receiving a grant
                    under this section shall report to the Secretary data
                    on program output indicators consisting of the--
                                ``(i) total number of all identified
                            programs developed or expanded during the
                            period covered by the report, disaggregated by
                            pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship
                            programs that serve youth;
                                ``(ii) total number of apprenticeships that
                            serve youth, if applicable, that were developed
                            or expanded during that period, including an
                            apprenticeship program expanded as described in
                            subsection (d)(1) to new industry sectors,
                            occupations, or service areas;
                                ``(iii) total number of employers who
                            became engaged in an identified program during
                            that period, as a direct result of a grant
                            under this section; and
                                ``(iv) for each year of the period covered
                            by the report, the total share of the grant
                            received under this section spent by the
                            eligible entity on the uses of funds described
                            under subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subsection
                            (d)(2).
                ``(3) Disaggregation.--The disaggregation of data under
            paragraph (2) shall not be required in a case where the number
            of participants in the subgroup of participants is insufficient
            to yield statistically reliable information or the results
            would reveal personally identifiable information about an
            individual participant.
                ``(4) Use of results.--
                        ``(A) Evaluation.--
                                ``(i) Annual evaluation.--Not later than 2
                            years after the date of enactment of the A
                            Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 and
                            annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
                            evaluate whether each eligible entity involved
                            met the agreed levels of performance described
                            in paragraph (1)(B) for each of the eligible
                            entity's identified programs.
                                ``(ii) End of program evaluation.--Not
                            later than 30 days after each cohort of
                            participants completes an eligible entity's
                            identified program, the Secretary shall
                            evaluate whether the eligible entity met the
                            agreed levels of performance for that
                            identified program.
                        ``(B) Technical assistance.--If the Secretary
                    determines under subparagraph (A) that an eligible
                    entity fails to meet 1 or more of the agreed levels of
                    performance for an identified program, the Secretary
                    shall provide technical assistance, including
                    assistance in the development of a performance
                    improvement plan.
                        ``(C) Nonrenewal of grant.--If the Secretary
                    determines, 1 year after the eligible entity receives
                    that technical assistance and implements that plan,
                    that the eligible entity fails to meet the agreed
                    levels of performance described in paragraph (1)(B) for
                    an identified program, the Secretary shall not extend a
                    grant for that eligible entity for that program under
                    subsection (b).
        ``(f) Evaluations and Reports.--
                ``(1) Report to congress.--Not later than 24 months after
            the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America
            Act of 2026 and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in
            coordination with the Secretary of Education, using data
            reported by eligible entities pursuant to the requirements
            under subsection (e)--
                        ``(A) shall publish the data;
                        ``(B) shall prepare and make publicly available a
                    report containing the data on the indicators described
                    in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (e)(2); and
                        ``(C) shall submit the report to the Committee on
                    Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate
                    and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the
                    House of Representatives.
                ``(2) Sharing of best practices.--Not later than 2 years
            after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for
            America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall use funds reserved
            under subsection (b)(2)(C) to identify and disseminate, through
            a website developed by the Department of Labor, best practices
            in developing and expanding pre-apprenticeship opportunities or
            apprenticeship opportunities for youth used by--
                        ``(A) eligible entities receiving a grant under
                    this section; and
                        ``(B) States and local areas adopting innovative
                    and effective practices to develop and expand such
                    opportunities.
        ``(g) Compliance With Other Laws and Agreements.--
                ``(1) Collective bargaining.--Nothing in a youth
            apprenticeship agreement under this section shall be construed
            to invalidate an applicable provision in a collective
            bargaining agreement, between employers and employees, that
            establishes higher standards for programs in the national
            apprenticeship system.
                ``(2) Child labor.--
                        ``(A) In general.--An eligible entity carrying out
                    a project under this section shall ensure compliance
                    with the provisions on child labor under the Fair Labor
                    Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) and State
                    law (including Federal and State regulations under
                    those laws), and with State workers' compensation laws.
                        ``(B) Minimum legal age.--The eligible entity shall
                    only serve in-school youth, and out-of-school youth,
                    who are not younger than the minimum legal age to be
                    employed as apprentices under the Fair Labor Standards
                    Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) and any applicable
                    State laws.
                        ``(C) Pre-apprenticeship exception.--An eligible
                    entity that prepares or intends to prepare individuals
                    for a covered occupation may submit an application
                    under subsection (c) to develop or expand a pre-
                    apprenticeship program that serves a youth who is
                    younger than the age of 18 only if the program is
                    limited to classroom instruction in the covered
                    occupation.
        ``(h) Special Rules Regarding Protections for Youth in Programs
    That Prepare Youth for Covered Occupations.--
                ``(1) Pre-apprenticeships in covered occupations for youth
            under the age of 18.--A pre-apprenticeship program supported
            using funds awarded under this section that serves or intends
            to serve a youth who is younger than the age of 18 and prepares
            such youth for a covered occupation may only provide classroom
            instruction to such youth in such program and may not provide
            on-the-job training in a covered occupation to such youth in
            such program.
                ``(2) Prohibition on youth apprenticeships in covered
            occupations for youth under the age of 18.--An apprenticeship
            program that serves youth that is supported using funds awarded
            under this section and that prepares a youth apprentice for a
            covered occupation may not enroll in such program a youth who
            is younger than the age of 18.
                ``(3) Apprenticeships for youth under the age of 18.--An
            apprenticeship program supported using funds awarded under this
            section may serve youth who are not younger than age 16 or
            older than age 17, provided that such program is not preparing
            such youth for a covered occupation.
        ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
                ``(1) Apprenticeship program that serves youth.--The term
            `apprenticeship program that serves youth' means a registered
            apprenticeship program registered by the Office of
            Apprenticeship or a State apprenticeship agency 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.), that is designed for youth not younger than age 16 or
            older than age 24.
                ``(2) Covered occupation.--The term `covered occupation'
            means an occupation in--
                        ``(A) manufacturing;
                        ``(B) construction;
                        ``(C) mining;
                        ``(D) trenching or excavation;
                        ``(E) logging or an occupation related to timber;
                        ``(F) work involving a saw mill;
                        ``(G) work involving the operation of heavy
                    machinery;
                        ``(H) work involving exposure to radioactive
                    substances or to ionizing radiations;
                        ``(I) meat processing;
                        ``(J) demolition;
                        ``(K) explosives; or
                        ``(L) work in any industry sector or occupation
                    that is prohibited to a youth who is younger than the
                    age of 18 under the laws or policies of the State where
                    the work occurs.
                ``(3) CTE terms.--The terms `Tribally controlled college or
            university' and `Tribally controlled postsecondary career and
            technical institution' have the meanings given the terms
            `tribally controlled college or university' and `tribally
            controlled postsecondary career and technical institution',
            respectively, in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
            Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
                ``(4) Education and training provider.--The term `education
            and training provider' means--
                        ``(A) an area career and technical education
                    school;
                        ``(B) an early college high school;
                        ``(C) a provider of a dual or concurrent enrollment
                    program;
                        ``(D) a community-based organization that offers
                    job training;
                        ``(E) a high school operated by a local educational
                    agency;
                        ``(F) a local educational agency, educational
                    service agency, or State educational agency;
                        ``(G) a Tribal education agency (meaning such an
                    agency within the meaning of section 3(20)(E) of the
                    Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of
                    2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302(20)(E))), Tribally controlled
                    college or university, or Tribally controlled
                    postsecondary career and technical institution;
                        ``(H) the Bureau of Indian Education;
                        ``(I) an institution of higher education;
                        ``(J) a State entity that coordinates higher
                    education, such as a community college system office, a
                    single State educational board, or State higher
                    education agency (as defined in section 103 of the
                    Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003));
                        ``(K) a historically Black college or university,
                    meaning a part B institution as defined in section 322
                    of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061);
                        ``(L) a minority-serving institution;
                        ``(M) a local agency administering plans under
                    title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
                    720 et seq.), other than section 112 or part C of that
                    title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741);
                        ``(N) a related integrated instruction provider,
                    including a qualified intermediary acting as a related
                    integrated instruction provider as approved by the
                    Office of Apprenticeship or a State apprenticeship
                    agency recognized by the Secretary;
                        ``(O) a consortium of entities described in any of
                    subparagraphs (A) through (N); or
                        ``(P) as used with respect to an eligible entity
                    described in paragraph (5)(A)(i), the joint labor-
                    management organization that is such eligible entity.
                ``(5) Eligible entity.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible entity'
                    means--
                                ``(i) a joint labor-management
                            organization; or
                                ``(ii) a partnership that--
                                        ``(I) shall include as the lead
                                    applicant 1 entity that is--
                                                ``(aa) an education and
                                            training provider;
                                                ``(bb) a workforce
                                            development system entity;
                                                ``(cc) a qualified
                                            intermediary;
                                                ``(dd) a State agency of
                                            the State in which the
                                            partnership is located; or
                                                ``(ee) a joint labor-
                                            management organization;
                                        ``(II) shall include as a partner--
                                                ``(aa) at least 1 employer
                                            or an industry or trade
                                            association that represents at
                                            least 2 employers;
                                                ``(bb) an education and
                                            training provider;
                                                ``(cc) the State
                                            apprenticeship agency;
                                                ``(dd) a local board or the
                                            State board;
                                                ``(ee) a local educational
                                            agency, if the partnership is
                                            serving in-school youth; or
                                                ``(ff) a qualified
                                            intermediary; and
                                        ``(III) may include as an
                                    additional partner--
                                                ``(aa) the State
                                            educational agency;
                                                ``(bb) an institution of
                                            higher education;
                                                ``(cc) an Indian Tribe;
                                                ``(dd) the State entity
                                            that coordinates higher
                                            education, such as a community
                                            college system office, a single
                                            State educational board, or
                                            State higher education agency
                                            (as defined in section 103 of
                                            the Higher Education Act of
                                            1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003));
                                                ``(ee) a community-based
                                            organization that offers job
                                            training; or
                                                ``(ff) a joint labor-
                                            management organization.
                        ``(B) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this
                    section, a reference to a lead applicant, partner, or
                    partnership between a lead applicant and partners, with
                    respect to an eligible entity described in subparagraph
                    (A)(i), shall be deemed to be a reference to the
                    eligible entity.
                ``(6) ESEA terms.--The terms `dual or concurrent enrollment
            program', `early college high school', `educational service
            agency', and `high school' have the meanings given the terms in
            section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
            1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
                ``(7) Grant.--The term `grant' means a contract,
            cooperative agreement, or award.
                ``(8) High-need educational service agency.--The term
            `high-need educational service agency' means an educational
            service agency that serves a significant number or percentage
            of high-need local educational agencies.
                ``(9) High-need local educational agency.--The term `high-
            need local educational agency' has the meaning given the term
            in section 200 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
            1021).
                ``(10) Identified program.--The term `identified program'
            means a pre-apprenticeship program, or youth program that
            serves youth, that is proposed to be carried out by an eligible
            entity in an application approved under subsection (c) for a
            project.
                ``(11) Minority-serving institution.--The term `minority-
            serving institution' means an institution defined in any of
            paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher
            Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
                ``(12) National apprenticeship system.--The term `national
            apprenticeship system' means the apprenticeship programs,
            apprenticeship programs that serve youth, and pre-
            apprenticeship programs that are approved by the Office of
            Apprenticeship or State apprenticeship agencies.
                ``(13) Pre-apprenticeship program.--The term `pre-
            apprenticeship program' means a program that--
                        ``(A) prepares youth to enroll in and complete an
                    apprenticeship program;
                        ``(B) maintains a written partnership with an
                    apprenticeship program; and
                        ``(C) in the case of a program with respect to a
                    covered occupation, is provided only through classroom
                    instruction for any youth pre-apprentice who is younger
                    than the age of 18.
                ``(14) Qualified intermediary.--The term `qualified
            intermediary'--
                        ``(A) means a nonprofit entity operating in a State
                    or local area that demonstrates expertise and
                    experience in serving participants, employers, and
                    schools by--
                                ``(i) building, sustaining, measuring, and
                            improving the quality and performance of
                            apprenticeship programs that serve youth;
                                ``(ii) assisting in the design, approval,
                            registration, and implementation of
                            apprenticeship programs that serve youth,
                            including program development and meeting
                            program requirements, including registration
                            and reporting requirements;
                                ``(iii) in collaboration with 1 or more
                            State educational agencies, local educational
                            agencies, or institutions of higher education
                            included in the eligible entity involved,
                            providing collaborative professional
                            development activities such as training for
                            workplace supervisors, mentors, counselors, and
                            teachers, instructors, and other educators;
                                ``(iv) supporting the recruitment for,
                            retention in, and completion of apprenticeship
                            programs that serve youth with respect to
                            potential or enrolled youth apprentices,
                            including youth apprentices who are from low-
                            income backgrounds or members of nontraditional
                            apprenticeship populations;
                                ``(v) developing and providing supportive
                            services including by partnering with
                            organizations to provide access to or referrals
                            for supportive services, financial literacy
                            services, and other support based upon needs of
                            potential or enrolled youth apprentices; or
                                ``(vi) serving as a program sponsor; and
                        ``(B) may consist of--
                                ``(i) a joint labor-management
                            organization;
                                ``(ii) a community-based organization; or
                                ``(iii) an industry association.
                ``(15) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
            States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
            Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and an outlying area.
                ``(16) State agency.--The term `State agency' means a State
            educational agency, State workforce agency, or State
            apprenticeship agency.
                ``(17) State apprenticeship agency.--The term `State
            apprenticeship agency' means an agency of a State government
            that has been authorized by the Office of Apprenticeship to
            register and oversee apprenticeship programs and has the
            responsibility and accountability for apprenticeship programs
            within the State.
                ``(18) Subgroup of participants.--The term `subgroup of
            participants' means--
                        ``(A) in-school youth;
                        ``(B) out-of-school youth; and
                        ``(C) each of the special populations, as defined
                    in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
                    Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
                ``(19) Workforce development system entity.--The term
            `workforce development system entity' means an entity that is
            involved in administering a workforce development system
            established under this Act, which shall be a State board, a
            local board, or an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Native
            Hawaiian organization, as defined in section 166(b).
                ``(20) Youth.--The term `youth' means an individual who is
            not younger than age 16 or older than age 24.
                ``(21) Youth apprentice.--The term `youth', used with
            respect to an apprentice, means a youth who is participating in
            an apprenticeship program that serves youth.
                ``(22) Youth apprenticeship agreement.--The term `youth
            apprenticeship agreement' means a written agreement under
            subsection (c)(3)(F) that is agreed to by each of the
            following:
                        ``(A) A youth.
                        ``(B) The youth's parent or legal guardian, as
                    applicable.
                        ``(C) One or more local educational agencies, if
                    the eligible entity involved is serving in-school
                    youth.
                        ``(D) The youth apprenticeship sponsor, which may
                    be an employer.
                        ``(E) As applicable, a qualified intermediary for
                    an apprenticeship program that serves youth.
                        ``(F) As applicable, one or more institutions of
                    higher education.
                        ``(G) As applicable, one or more employers.
                ``(23) Youth pre-apprentice.--The term `youth', used with
            respect to a pre-apprentice, means a youth who is participating
            in a pre-apprenticeship program.''.

    SEC. 179. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES GRANT PROGRAM.

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

    ``SEC. 174. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
                  GRANTS PROGRAM.

        ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
                ``(1) to establish, improve, or expand high-quality
            workforce development programs at community colleges; and
                ``(2) to expand opportunities for individuals to obtain
            recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally or
            regionally portable and stackable for high-skill, high-wage, or
            in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
        ``(b) Strengthening Community Colleges Workforce Development Grants
    Program.--
                ``(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated to carry
            out this section under section 175(f) and not reserved under
            paragraph (2), the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis,
            make grants to eligible institutions to carry out the
            activities described in subsection (e).
                ``(2) Reservation.--Of the amounts appropriated to carry
            out this section under section 175(f), the Secretary may
            reserve not more than 2 percent for the administration of
            grants awarded under this section, including--
                        ``(A) providing technical assistance and targeted
                    outreach to support eligible institutions serving a
                    high number or high percentage of low-income
                    individuals or individuals with barriers to employment,
                    and rural-serving eligible institutions, to provide
                    guidance and assistance in the process of applying for
                    grants under this section; and
                        ``(B) evaluating and reporting on the performance
                    and impact of programs funded under this section in
                    accordance with subsections (f) through (h).
        ``(c) Award Period.--
                ``(1) Initial grant period.--Each grant under this section
            shall be awarded for an initial period of not more than 4
            years.
                ``(2) Subsequent grants.--An eligible institution that
            receives an initial grant under this section may receive one or
            more additional grants under this section for additional
            periods of not more than 4 years each if the eligible
            institution demonstrates that, during the most recently
            completed grant period for a grant received under this section,
            such eligible institution achieved the levels of performance
            agreed to by the eligible institution with respect to the
            performance indicators specified in subsection (f).
        ``(d) Application.--
                ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
            this section, an eligible institution shall submit an
            application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as
            the Secretary may require.
                ``(2) Contents.--An application submitted by an eligible
            institution under paragraph (1) shall include a description of
            each the following:
                        ``(A) The extent to which the eligible institution
                    has demonstrated success building partnerships with
                    employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations
                    to provide students with the skills needed for
                    occupations in such industries and an explanation of
                    the results of any such partnerships.
                        ``(B) The methods and strategies the eligible
                    institution will use to engage with employers in in-
                    demand industry sectors or occupations, including any
                    arrangements to place individuals who complete the
                    workforce development programs supported by the grant
                    into employment with such employers.
                        ``(C) The proposed eligible institution and
                    industry partnership that the eligible institution will
                    establish or maintain to comply with subsection (e)(1),
                    including--
                                ``(i) the roles and responsibilities of
                            each employer, organization, agency, or
                            institution of higher education that the
                            eligible institution will partner with to carry
                            out the activities under this section; and
                                ``(ii) the needs that will be addressed by
                            such eligible institution and industry
                            partnership.
                        ``(D) One or more industries that such partnership
                    will target and real-time labor market data
                    demonstrating that those industries are aligned with
                    employer demand in the geographic area to be served by
                    the eligible institution.
                        ``(E) The extent to which the eligible institution
                    can--
                                ``(i) leverage additional resources to
                            support the programs to be funded with the
                            grant, which shall include written commitments
                            of any leveraged or matching funds for the
                            proposed programs; and
                                ``(ii) demonstrate the future
                            sustainability of each such program.
                        ``(F) The steps the institution will take to ensure
                    the high quality of each program to be funded with the
                    grant, including the career pathways within such
                    programs.
                        ``(G) The population and geographic area to be
                    served by the eligible institution, including the
                    number of individuals the eligible institution intends
                    to serve during the grant period.
                        ``(H) The workforce development programs to be
                    supported by the grant.
                        ``(I) The recognized postsecondary credentials that
                    are expected to be earned by participants in such
                    workforce development programs and the related high-
                    skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or
                    occupations for which such programs will prepare
                    participants.
                        ``(J) The evidence upon which the education and
                    skills development strategies to be used in such
                    workforce development programs are based and an
                    explanation of how such evidence influenced the design
                    of the programs to improve education and employment
                    outcomes.
                        ``(K) How activities of the eligible institution
                    are expected to align with the workforce strategies
                    identified in--
                                ``(i) any State plan or local plan
                            submitted under this Act by the State, outlying
                            area, or locality in which the eligible
                            institution is expected to operate;
                                ``(ii) any State plan submitted under
                            section 122 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
                            Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
                            2342) by such State or outlying area; and
                                ``(iii) any economic development plan of
                            the chief executive of such State or outlying
                            area.
                        ``(L) The goals of the eligible institution with
                    respect to--
                                ``(i) capacity building (as described in
                            subsection (f)(1)(B)); and
                                ``(ii) the expected performance of
                            individuals participating in the programs to be
                            offered by the eligible institution, including
                            with respect to any performance indicators
                            applicable under section 116 or subsection (f)
                            of this section.
                ``(3) Consideration of previous experience.--The Secretary
            may not disqualify an eligible institution from receiving a
            grant under this section solely because such institution lacks
            previous experience in building partnerships, as described in
            paragraph (2)(A).
                ``(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
            Secretary shall give priority to eligible institutions that--
                        ``(A) will use the grant to serve--
                                ``(i) individuals with barriers to
                            employment; or
                                ``(ii) incumbent workers who need to gain
                            or improve foundational skills to enhance their
                            employability;
                        ``(B) use competency-based assessments, such as the
                    competency-based assessment identified by the State in
                    which the eligible institution is located under section
                    134(a)(2)(B)(vii), to award academic credit for prior
                    learning for programs supported by the grant; or
                        ``(C) have, or will seek to have, the career
                    education programs supported by the grant included on
                    the list of eligible providers of training services
                    under section 122 for the State in which the eligible
                    institution is located.
        ``(e) Uses of Funds.--
                ``(1) Eligible institution and industry partnership.--For
            the purpose of carrying out the activities specified in
            paragraphs (2) and (3), an eligible institution that receives a
            grant under this section shall establish a partnership (or
            continue an existing partnership) with one or more employers in
            an in-demand industry sector or occupation (in this section
            referred to as an `eligible institution and industry
            partnership') and shall maintain such partnership for the
            duration of the grant period. The eligible institution shall
            ensure that the partnership--
                        ``(A) targets one or more specific high-skill,
                    high-wage, or in-demand industries;
                        ``(B) includes collaboration with the workforce
                    development system;
                        ``(C) serves adult and dislocated workers,
                    incumbent workers, and new entrants to the workforce;
                        ``(D) uses an evidence-based program design that is
                    appropriate for the activities carried out by the
                    partnership;
                        ``(E) incorporates work-based learning
                    opportunities; and
                        ``(F) incorporates, to the extent appropriate,
                    virtual service delivery to facilitate technology-
                    enabled learning.
                ``(2) Required activities.--An eligible institution that
            receives a grant under this section shall, in consultation with
            the employers in the eligible institution and industry
            partnership described in paragraph (1)--
                        ``(A) establish, improve, or expand high-quality,
                    evidence-based workforce development programs, career
                    pathway programs, or work-based learning programs
                    (including apprenticeship programs or
                    preapprenticeships);
                        ``(B) provide career services to individuals
                    participating in the programs funded with the grant to
                    facilitate retention and program completion, which may
                    include--
                                ``(i) career navigation, coaching,
                            mentorship, and case management services,
                            including providing information and outreach to
                            individuals with barriers to employment to
                            encourage such individuals to participate in
                            programs funded with the grant; and
                                ``(ii) providing access to course
                            materials, technological devices, required
                            equipment, and other supports necessary for
                            participation in and successful completion of
                            such programs; and
                        ``(C) make available, in a format that is open,
                    searchable, and easily comparable, information on--
                                ``(i) curricula and recognized
                            postsecondary credentials offered through
                            programs funded with the grant, including any
                            curricula or credentials created or further
                            developed using such grant, which for each
                            recognized postsecondary credential, shall
                            include--
                                        ``(I) the issuing entity of such
                                    credential;
                                        ``(II) any third-party endorsements
                                    of such credential;
                                        ``(III) the occupations for which
                                    the credential prepares individuals;
                                        ``(IV) the skills and competencies
                                    necessary to achieve to earn such
                                    credential;
                                        ``(V) the level of mastery of such
                                    skills and competencies (including how
                                    mastery is assessed); and
                                        ``(VI) any transfer value or
                                    stackability of the credential;
                                ``(ii) any skills or competencies developed
                            by individuals who participate in such programs
                            beyond the skills and competencies identified
                            as part of the recognized postsecondary
                            credential awarded; and
                                ``(iii) related employment and earnings
                            outcomes on the primary indicators of
                            performance described in subclauses (I) through
                            (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i).
                ``(3) Additional activities.--In addition to the activities
            required under paragraph (2), an eligible institution that
            receives a grant under this section shall, in consultation with
            the employers in the eligible institution and industry
            partnership described in paragraph (1), carry out one or more
            of the following activities:
                        ``(A) Establish, improve, or expand--
                                ``(i) articulation agreements (as defined
                            in section 486A(a) of the Higher Education Act
                            of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1093a(a)));
                                ``(ii) credit transfer agreements;
                                ``(iii) corequisite remediation programs
                            that enable a student to receive remedial
                            education services while enrolled in a
                            postsecondary course rather than requiring the
                            student to receive remedial education before
                            enrolling in such a course;
                                ``(iv) dual or concurrent enrollment
                            programs;
                                ``(v) competency-based education and
                            assessment; or
                                ``(vi) policies and processes to award
                            academic credit for prior learning or for the
                            programs described in paragraph (2)(A).
                        ``(B) Establish or implement plans for providers of
                    the programs described in paragraph (2)(A) to meet the
                    criteria and carry out the procedures necessary to be
                    included on the list of eligible providers of training
                    services described in section 122(d).
                        ``(C) Purchase, lease, or refurbish specialized
                    equipment as necessary to carry out such programs,
                    provided that not more than 15 percent of the funds
                    awarded to the eligible institution under this section
                    may be used for activities described in this
                    subparagraph.
                        ``(D) Reduce or eliminate unmet financial need
                    relating to the cost of attendance (as defined under
                    section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                    U.S.C. 1087ll)) of participants in such programs.
                ``(4) Administrative cost limit.--An eligible institution
            may use not more than 7 percent of the funds awarded under this
            section for administrative costs, including costs related to
            collecting information, analysis, and coordination for purposes
            of subsection (f).
        ``(f) Levels of Performance and Performance Reviews.--
                ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and
            implement guidance that establishes the levels of performance
            that are expected to be achieved by each eligible institution
            receiving a grant under this section. Such levels of
            performance shall be established on the following indicators:
                        ``(A) Each of the primary indicators of performance
                    for adults described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(i), which
                    shall be applied for all individuals who participated
                    in a program that received funding from a grant under
                    this section.
                        ``(B) The extent to which the eligible institution
                    built capacity by--
                                ``(i) increasing the breadth and depth of
                            employer engagement and investment in workforce
                            development programs in the in-demand industry
                            sectors and occupations targeted by the
                            eligible institution and industry partnership
                            established or maintained by the eligible
                            institution under subsection (e)(1);
                                ``(ii) designing or implementing new and
                            accelerated instructional techniques or
                            technologies, including the use of advanced
                            online and technology-enabled learning (such as
                            immersive technology); and
                                ``(iii) increasing program and policy
                            alignment across systems and decreasing
                            duplicative services or service gaps.
                        ``(C) With respect to individuals who participated
                    in a workforce development program funded with the
                    grant--
                                ``(i) the percentage of participants who
                            successfully completed the program; and
                                ``(ii) of the participants who were
                            incumbent workers at the time of enrollment in
                            the program, the percentage who advanced into
                            higher level positions during or after
                            completing the program.
                ``(2) Consultation and determination of levels of
            performance.--
                        ``(A) Consideration.--In developing levels of
                    performance in accordance with paragraph (1), the
                    Secretary shall take into consideration the goals of
                    the eligible institution pursuant to subsection
                    (d)(2)(L).
                        ``(B) Determination.--After completing the
                    consideration required under subparagraph (A), the
                    Secretary shall separately determine the levels of
                    performance that will apply to each eligible
                    institution, taking into account--
                                ``(i) the expected levels of performance of
                            each eligible institution with respect to the
                            goals described by the eligible institution
                            pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(L); and
                                ``(ii) local economic conditions in the
                            geographic area to be served by the eligible
                            institution, including differences in
                            unemployment rates and job losses or gains in
                            particular industries.
                        ``(C) Notice and acknowledgment.--
                                ``(i) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide
                            each eligible institution with a written
                            notification that sets forth the levels of
                            performance that will apply to the eligible
                            institution, as determined under subparagraph
                            (B).
                                ``(ii) Acknowledgment.--After receiving the
                            notification described in clause (i), each
                            eligible institution shall submit to the
                            Secretary written confirmation that the
                            eligible institution--
                                        ``(I) received the notification;
                                    and
                                        ``(II) agrees to be evaluated in
                                    accordance with the levels of
                                    performance determined by the
                                    Secretary.
                ``(3) Performance reviews.--On an annual basis during each
            year of the grant period, the Secretary shall evaluate the
            performance during such year of each eligible institution
            receiving a grant under this section in a manner consistent
            with the levels of performance determined for such institution
            pursuant to paragraph (2).
                ``(4) Failure to meet levels of performance.--After
            conducting an evaluation under paragraph (3), if the Secretary
            determines that an eligible institution did not achieve the
            levels of performance applicable to the eligible institution
            under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall--
                        ``(A) provide technical assistance to the eligible
                    institution; and
                        ``(B) develop a performance improvement plan for
                    the eligible institution.
        ``(g) Evaluations and Reports.--
                ``(1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date on
            which the first grant is made under this section, the Secretary
            shall design and conduct an evaluation to determine the overall
            effectiveness of the eligible institutions receiving a grant
            under this section.
                ``(2) Elements.--The evaluation of the effectiveness of
            eligible institutions conducted under paragraph (1) shall
            include an assessment of the general effectiveness of programs
            and activities supported by the grants awarded to such eligible
            institutions under this section, including the extent to which
            the programs and activities--
                        ``(A) developed new, or expanded existing,
                    successful industry sector strategies, including the
                    extent to which such eligible institutions deepened
                    employer engagement and developed workforce development
                    programs that met industry skill needs;
                        ``(B) created, expanded, or enhanced career
                    pathways, including the extent to which the eligible
                    institutions developed or improved competency-based
                    education and assessment, credit for prior learning,
                    modularized and self-paced curricula, integrated
                    education and workforce development, dual enrollment in
                    secondary and postsecondary career pathways, stacked
                    and latticed credentials, and online and distance
                    learning;
                        ``(C) created alignment between eligible
                    institutions and the workforce development system;
                        ``(D) assisted individuals with finding, retaining,
                    or advancing in employment;
                        ``(E) assisted individuals with earning recognized
                    postsecondary credentials; and
                        ``(F) provided equal access to various demographic
                    groups, including people of different geographic
                    locations, ages, races, national origins, and sexes.
                ``(3) Design requirements.--The evaluation under this
            subsection shall--
                        ``(A) be designed by the Secretary (acting through
                    the Chief Evaluation Officer) in conjunction with the
                    eligible institutions being evaluated;
                        ``(B) include analysis of program participant
                    feedback and outcome and process measures; and
                        ``(C) use designs that employ the most rigorous
                    analytical and statistical methods that are reasonably
                    feasible, such as the use of control groups.
                ``(4) Data accessibility.--The Secretary shall make
            available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of
            Labor any data collected as part of the evaluation under this
            subsection. Such data shall be made available in an aggregated
            format that does not reveal personally identifiable information
            and that ensures compliance with relevant Federal laws,
            including section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act
            (commonly known as the `Family Educational Rights and Privacy
            Act of 1974') (20 U.S.C. 1232g).
                ``(5) Publication and reporting of evaluation findings.--
            The Secretary (acting through the Chief Evaluation Officer)
            shall--
                        ``(A) in accordance with the timeline determined to
                    be appropriate by the Chief Evaluation Officer, publish
                    an interim report on the preliminary results of the
                    evaluation conducted under this subsection;
                        ``(B) not later than 60 days after the date on
                    which the evaluation is completed under this
                    subsection, submit to the Committee on Education and
                    Workforce of the House of Representatives and the
                    Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
                    the Senate a report on such evaluation; and
                        ``(C) not later than 90 days after such completion
                    date, publish and make the results of such evaluation
                    available on a publicly accessible website of the
                    Department of Labor.
        ``(h) Annual Reports.--The Secretary shall make available on a
    publicly accessible website of the Department of Labor, in transparent,
    linked, open, and interoperable data formats, the following
    information:
                ``(1) The performance of eligible institutions on the
            capacity-building performance indicator set forth under
            subsection (f)(1)(B).
                ``(2) The performance of eligible institutions on the
            workforce development participant outcome performance
            indicators set forth under subsection (f)(1)(C).
                ``(3) The number of individuals enrolled in workforce
            development programs funded with a grant under this section.
        ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
                ``(1) Chief evaluation officer.--The term `Chief Evaluation
            Officer' means the head of the independent evaluation office
            located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy of
            the Department of Labor.
                ``(2) Community college.--The term `community college'
            means--
                        ``(A) a public institution of higher education (as
                    defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act
                    (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), at which--
                                ``(i) the highest degree awarded is an
                            associate degree; or
                                ``(ii) an associate degree is the most
                            frequently awarded degree;
                        ``(B) a branch campus of a 4-year public
                    institution of higher education (as defined in section
                    101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                    1001)), if, at such branch campus--
                                ``(i) the highest degree awarded is an
                            associate degree; or
                                ``(ii) an associate degree is the most
                            frequently awarded degree;
                        ``(C) a 2-year Tribal College or University (as
                    defined in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education
                    Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3))); or
                        ``(D) a degree-granting Tribal College or
                    University (as defined in section 316(b)(3) of the
                    Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3)))
                    at which--
                                ``(i) the highest degree awarded is an
                            associate degree; or
                                ``(ii) an associate degree is the most
                            frequently awarded degree.
                ``(3) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible
            institution' means--
                        ``(A) a community college;
                        ``(B) a postsecondary vocational institution (as
                    defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act
                    of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))); or
                        ``(C) a consortium of such colleges or
                    institutions.
        ``(j) Supplement Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this
    section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal,
    State, and local public funds made available for carrying out the
    activities described in this section.''.

    SEC. 180. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        Section 175 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as so
    redesignated, is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections
            (g) and (h), respectively; and
                (2) by striking subsections (a) through (d) and inserting
            the following:
        ``(a) Native American Programs.--There are authorized to be
    appropriated to carry out section 166 (not including subsection (k) of
    such section) $62,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through
    2032.
        ``(b) Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Programs.--There are
    authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 167 $97,396,000 for
    each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
        ``(c) Evaluations and Research.--There are authorized to be
    appropriated to carry out section 169 $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal
    years 2027 through 2032.
        ``(d) Reentry Program.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
    carry out section 172 $110,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027
    through 2032.
        ``(e) Strengthening Community Colleges Program.--There are
    authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 173 $65,000,000 for
    each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.''.

                           Subtitle F--Administration

    SEC. 191. REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS.

        (a) Labor Standards.--Section 181(b) of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241(b)) is amended by adding at the end
    the following:
                ``(8) Child labor.--Individuals in on-the-job training or
            individuals employed in programs and activities under this
            title shall be employed in accordance with the provisions on
            child labor under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
            U.S.C. 201 et seq.) and applicable State law.
                ``(9) Consultation.--If an employer provides on-the-job
            training, incumbent worker training, or employer-directed
            skills development with funds made available under this title
            directly to employees of such employer that are subject to a
            collective bargaining agreement with the employer, the employer
            shall consult with the labor organization that represents such
            employees on the planning and design of such training or
            development.''.
        (b) Remedies.--Section 181(c)(3)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241(c)(3)(B)) is amended by inserting ``for
    a period of not less than 2 years'' before the semicolon at the end.
        (c) Relocation.--Section 181(d)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241(d)(2)) is amended by striking
    ``incumbent worker training,'' and inserting ``incumbent worker
    training, employer-directed skills development,''.
        (d) Supportive Services.--Section 181 of the Workforce Innovation
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3241) is amended by adding at the end
    the following:
        ``(h) Supportive Services.--Except as provided in section
    134(d)(2), funds provided under this title may only be used to provide
    supportive services to individuals who--
                ``(1) are participating in activities under programs
            authorized under this title;
                ``(2) are unable to obtain the supportive services through
            programs listed in section 121(b)(2); and
                ``(3) require supportive services to enable participation
            in activities under programs authorized under this title.''.

    SEC. 192. MONITORING.

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

    SEC. 193. FISCAL CONTROLS; SANCTIONS.

        Section 184(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3244(b)) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as
            paragraphs (3), (5), and (6), respectively;
                (2) by inserting before paragraph (3), as so redesignated,
            the following:
                ``(1) In general.--For the purposes of this title, a
            substantial violation shall--
                        ``(A) be determined in accordance with the
                    procedures established by the Governor as described in
                    paragraph (2); and
                        ``(B) include any willful violation of the
                    requirements under subsections (a) or (b) of section
                    181 for which there has been a final determination of
                    the violation without any remaining right to appeal.
                ``(2) Procedures.--The Governor shall establish procedures
            to be used by local areas and, in the case of funds described
            in section 128(a) or pertaining to the enforcement provisions
            under section 122(g), by any other individual or entity
            specified by the Governor to determine if a substantial
            violation of this title has occurred.'';
                (3) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; or'' and
                    inserting a semicolon;
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)(v), by striking the period
                    at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(C) reduce any local allotment under section
                    128(b) or 133(b) to the local area involved by not more
                    than 5 percent for the fiscal year after the fiscal
                    year in which the substantial violation, for which
                    corrective action was not taken, occurred.'';
                (4) by inserting after paragraph (3), as so redesignated,
            the following:
                ``(4) Reallocation of reductions.--Any amount that was
            reduced from an allotment to a local area in accordance with
            paragraph (3)(C) shall be reallocated by the Governor to the
            other local areas within the State that are not subject to an
            action described in paragraph (3) in a manner determined by the
            Governor, which may take into consideration whether such other
            local area is serving a significant number of individuals with
            barriers to employment.'';
                (5) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by striking ``(A)
            and (B)'' and inserting ``(A), (B), and (C)''; and
                (6) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking
            ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)''

    SEC. 194. ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION.

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

    SEC. 195. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

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

    SEC. 196. GENERAL WAIVERS OF STATUTORY OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

        Section 189(i)(3) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
    (29 U.S.C. 3249(i)(3)) is amended--
                (1) in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking ``procedures for
            review and approval of plans'' and inserting ``the procedures
            for review and approval of plans, the performance reports
            described in section 116(d), and the requirement described in
            section 134(c)(1)(B)''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(E) Model template.--Not later than one year
                    after the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce
                    for America Act of 2026, the Secretary shall issue
                    guidance and provide model templates to States to
                    assist States in requesting common waivers of statutory
                    or regulatory requirements under this subsection.''.

    SEC. 197. MAKE AMERICA SKILLED AGAIN GRANTS.

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

    ``SEC. 190. MAKE AMERICA SKILLED AGAIN GRANTS.

        ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to--
                ``(1) authorize States to apply under this section on
            behalf of the State as a whole, or on behalf of a local area or
            a consortium of local areas in the State, to receive the
            allotments or allocations of the State or the local areas,
            respectively, for youth workforce investment activities under
            chapter 2 of subtitle B and adult and dislocated worker
            employment and training activities under chapter 3 of subtitle
            B as a consolidated grant for 5 years for the purpose of
            carrying out a pilot project to pursue innovative reforms to
            achieve better outcomes for jobseekers, workers, employers, and
            taxpayers; and
                ``(2) require that rigorous evaluations be conducted to
            demonstrate if better outcomes and opportunities to achieve
            economic self-sufficiency for participants, including
            participants receiving a priority for services under this
            section, and associated innovative reforms to improve service
            delivery were achieved as a result of such pilot projects.
        ``(b) General Authority.--
                ``(1) Waivers, pilot project grant amounts, and
            reservations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of subtitle
            A or B, except as otherwise provided in this section, during
            the pilot project period applicable to a pilot project approved
            for a State pursuant to subsection (d)(3), the Secretary, the
            Governor of a State participating in such pilot project on
            behalf of the State as a whole, local area, or consortium of
            local areas, and a local area or consortium of local areas on
            whose behalf a Governor is participating in such a pilot
            project, shall, as applicable, comply with each of the
            following:
                        ``(A) Waivers.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
                    Secretary shall waive for the State as a whole, or for
                    the local area or the consortium of local areas
                    selected by the State to carry out such pilot project,
                    all the statutory and regulatory requirements of
                    subtitles A and B.
                        ``(B) Pilot project grant amounts.--For each fiscal
                    year applicable to a pilot period, the Secretary shall
                    carry out the following:
                                ``(i) State as a whole.--In a case of a
                            State approved to carry out a pilot project
                            under this section on behalf of the State as a
                            whole, distribute as a consolidated sum to the
                            State, for purposes of carrying out the
                            project, the State's total allotment for such
                            fiscal year under--
                                        ``(I) subsections (b)(1)(C) and (c)
                                    of section 127;
                                        ``(II) paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B)
                                    of section 132(b); and
                                        ``(III) section 132(c).
                                ``(ii) Local area.--In a case of a local
                            area selected by a State and approved to carry
                            out a pilot project under this section, require
                            the State to--
                                        ``(I) distribute as a consolidated
                                    sum to the local board for such local
                                    area, for purposes of carrying out the
                                    project, the local area's allocation
                                    for such fiscal year under--
                                                ``(aa) subsections (b) and
                                            (c) of section 128; and
                                                ``(bb) subsections (b) and
                                            (c) of section 133; or
                                        ``(II) if the local board of the
                                    local area enters into a written
                                    agreement with the State for the State
                                    to serve as the fiscal agent for the
                                    local board during the pilot project,
                                    use the funds described in subclause
                                    (I) for purposes of carrying out the
                                    project on behalf of the local board.
                                ``(iii) Consortium of local areas.--In a
                            case of a consortium of local areas selected by
                            a State and approved to carry out a pilot
                            project under this section, require the State
                            to--
                                        ``(I) distribute as a consolidated
                                    sum to the consortium, for purposes of
                                    carrying out the project, the total
                                    amount of the allocations for the local
                                    areas in such consortium for such
                                    fiscal year under--
                                                ``(aa) subsections (b) and
                                            (c) of section 128; and
                                                ``(bb) subsections (b) and
                                            (c) of section 133; or
                                        ``(II) if the consortium enters
                                    into a written agreement with the State
                                    for the State to serve as the fiscal
                                    agent for the consortium during the
                                    pilot project, use the funds described
                                    in subclause (I) for purposes of
                                    carrying out the project on behalf of
                                    such consortium.
                        ``(C) State reservation.--The Governor of a State
                    participating in a pilot project on behalf of the State
                    as a whole shall reserve not less than 25 percent of
                    the consolidated sum allotted to the State, as
                    described in subparagraph (B)(i), for the purpose of
                    developing and implementing evidence-based workforce
                    development activities in the State. Such activities--
                                ``(i) shall comply with the priority of
                            service requirement described in subsection
                            (e)(3); and
                                ``(ii) may include strategies such as--
                                        ``(I) innovative skills development
                                    programs to improve employment outcomes
                                    for jobseekers, incumbent workers, and
                                    dislocated workers;
                                        ``(II) job training programs and
                                    assistance with removing barriers to
                                    employment for offenders;
                                        ``(III) pre-apprenticeships,
                                    apprenticeships, and evidence-based
                                    workforce development and employment
                                    opportunities, including for youth
                                    (particularly out-of-school youth);
                                        ``(IV) the development and
                                    strengthening of industry or sector
                                    partnerships and training programs
                                    offered under such partnerships;
                                        ``(V) the optimization of
                                    supportive service delivery and the
                                    integration of such services within the
                                    workforce system to promote retention
                                    in and completion of training programs
                                    for participants served under the pilot
                                    project; and
                                        ``(VI) other strategies as may be
                                    appropriate and necessary to achieve
                                    better outcomes for jobseekers,
                                    workers, employers, and taxpayers, as
                                    determined by the Governor.
                        ``(D) Local area and consortium reservation.--A
                    local area or a consortium of local areas for which a
                    pilot project is authorized under this section shall
                    reserve not less than 25 percent of the consolidated
                    sum allotted, as described in clause (ii) or (iii),
                    respectively, of subparagraph (B), to the local area or
                    consortium of local areas, respectively, for the
                    purpose of developing and implementing evidence-based
                    workforce development activities described in
                    subparagraph (C) in the local area or local areas
                    served by the consortium, respectively.
                ``(2) Exceptions.--
                        ``(A) In general.--A State, local area, or
                    consortium of local areas carrying out a pilot project
                    under this section shall comply with statutory or
                    regulatory requirements of this Act relating to--
                                ``(i) performance accountability and
                            reporting, except as otherwise provided in this
                            section;
                                ``(ii) the membership of local boards or
                            State boards in instances where a State
                            carrying out a pilot project will maintain the
                            use of such local boards or State boards,
                            respectively, during the pilot project period;
                                ``(iii) the requirement to set minimum
                            levels of performance on the criteria described
                            in section 122(b)(2)(B) for any providers of
                            training services that will receive funding
                            under the pilot project;
                                ``(iv) the establishment of the one-stop
                            delivery system to make the services and
                            activities carried out under the pilot project
                            available to individuals in the State, local
                            area, or consortium of local areas carrying out
                            the pilot project, except that, of the
                            requirements in section 121(e), such one-stop
                            delivery system shall only be required to meet
                            the requirements of paragraph (2) of that
                            section and only with respect to the services
                            and activities of the pilot project;
                                ``(v) the fiscal and management
                            accountability information systems described in
                            section 116(j) and, in the case of a pilot
                            project carried out by a local area or
                            consortium of local areas, the provisions on
                            fiscal integrity described in section 106; and
                                ``(vi) the priority of service described in
                            section 134(c)(3)(E).
                        ``(B) Applicability of defined terms.--In carrying
                    out a pilot project under this section, a State, local
                    area, or consortium of local areas may only use a term
                    defined in section 3 to describe an activity carried
                    out under such pilot project if the State, local area,
                    or consortium of local areas gives such term the same
                    meaning as such term is given under such section.
                        ``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in
                    subparagraph (A)(iv) shall be construed to prevent a
                    State, local area, or consortium of local areas
                    carrying out a pilot project under this section from
                    deciding to maintain the one-stop delivery system in
                    effect for the State, local area, or consortium,
                    respectively, prior to the start of the pilot project.
                ``(3) Authority for third-party evaluation.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after
                    the first pilot project is approved under this section,
                    the Secretary shall contract with a third-party
                    evaluator to conduct a rigorous evaluation of each
                    pilot project approved under this section. The
                    evaluation shall--
                                ``(i) cover the entire period of each pilot
                            project;
                                ``(ii) include a description of--
                                        ``(I) the populations served under
                                    the pilot project, including with
                                    respect to individuals with barriers to
                                    employment served under the pilot
                                    project, disaggregated by each
                                    subpopulation of such individuals, and
                                    by race, ethnicity, sex, and age;
                                        ``(II) the services provided
                                    through the pilot project, the
                                    providers of such services, and the
                                    cost of such services, disaggregated by
                                    the type of service provided;
                                        ``(III) if the pilot project is
                                    carried out by a State, the geographic
                                    distribution within the State of the
                                    services provided under the pilot
                                    project; and
                                        ``(IV) the workforce development
                                    systems in the State, local area, or
                                    consortium of local areas that were
                                    affected, and the nature of such
                                    effects, as a result of the pilot
                                    project;
                                ``(iii) compare the employment and earnings
                            outcomes of participants in activities carried
                            out under the pilot project to--
                                        ``(I) the outcomes of similarly
                                    situated individuals who do not
                                    participate in such activities and who
                                    are located in such State, such local
                                    area, or a local area in such
                                    consortium, as applicable;
                                        ``(II) the outcomes of similarly
                                    situated participants in similarly
                                    situated States or local areas within
                                    such States, as applicable, that do not
                                    receive authority to carry out a pilot
                                    project under this section; and
                                        ``(III) the outcomes of
                                    participants in activities under
                                    chapter 2 or 3 of subtitle B in the
                                    State, local area, or a local area in
                                    the consortium that was awarded a
                                    waiver prior to the award of such
                                    waiver;
                                ``(iv) conduct a qualitative analysis that
                            identifies any practices or strategies
                            (including promising, evidence-based, or
                            innovative practices and strategies) that--
                                        ``(I) would not have been conducted
                                    without the waiving of statutory or
                                    regulatory provisions through the pilot
                                    project; and
                                        ``(II) led to changes in employment
                                    and earnings outcomes for the
                                    participants, including employment and
                                    earnings outcomes for participants who
                                    are out-of-school youth and individuals
                                    with barriers to employment; and
                                ``(v) compare the outcomes for subclauses
                            (I), (II), and (III) of clause (iii) with
                            respect to the subpopulations described in
                            section 116(d)(2)(B).
                        ``(B) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the
                    final year of a pilot project approved under this
                    section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
                    Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives
                    and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
                    Pensions of the Senate the results of the evaluation
                    conducted under this paragraph.
        ``(c) Pilot Period; Limitations.--
                ``(1) In general.--A pilot project approved under this
            section for a State, local area, or consortium--
                        ``(A) shall be carried out for a 5-year pilot
                    project period; and
                        ``(B) may be renewed for an additional 4-year pilot
                    project period, if the State, local area, or
                    consortium--
                                ``(i) for each of the final 3 years of the
                            preceding 5-year pilot project period, meets
                            its expected levels of performance established
                            under subsection (f)(1)(C); and
                                ``(ii) for the final year of the preceding
                            5-year pilot project period, achieves a
                            performance improvement of not less than an
                            average of a 5-percent increase across all of
                            the indicators of performance described in
                            clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (f)(1)(A),
                            compared with--
                                        ``(I) the highest level of
                                    performance for the corresponding
                                    indicators of performance, as described
                                    in subsection (f)(1)(B)(i) with respect
                                    to such State, for the most recent
                                    program year that ended prior to the
                                    beginning of the first year of the
                                    preceding 5-year pilot project period;
                                    or
                                        ``(II) the alternate baseline level
                                    of performance for the corresponding
                                    indicators of performance that is
                                    agreed upon between the State and the
                                    Secretary under subsection
                                    (f)(1)(B)(ii).
                ``(2) Limitations.--
                        ``(A) Pilot period limitations.--For each pilot
                    period (including renewals of such period) the
                    Secretary may not approve--
                                ``(i) more than 10 pilot projects for
                            States to carry out a pilot project described
                            in subsection (b)(1)(B)(i), except as provided
                            in subparagraph (C); and
                                ``(ii) more than 8 pilot projects for local
                            areas (or consortia of local areas) to carry
                            out a pilot project described in clause (ii) or
                            (iii) of subsection (b)(1)(B).
                        ``(B) State limitations.--Not more than 1 pilot
                    project may be approved under this section per State.
                    For purposes of this subparagraph, a pilot project
                    described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subsection
                    (b)(1)(B) approved for a local area or a consortium of
                    local areas, respectively, in a State shall be
                    considered a pilot project approved under this section
                    for the State.
                        ``(C) Subsequent approval.--Notwithstanding
                    subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary may award authority
                    to carry out a pilot project for a State as a whole
                    under this section to 2 additional States if, at the
                    beginning of the third year of the pilot projects
                    awarded to the 10 States under subparagraph (A)(i),
                    each of such States--
                                ``(i) has met or exceeded expected levels
                            of performance under the primary indicators of
                            performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A);
                            and
                                ``(ii) meets the requirement described in
                            subsection (e)(4).
        ``(d) Application.--
                ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to carry out a pilot
            project under this section, a State shall submit to the
            Secretary an application at such time and in such manner as the
            Secretary may reasonably require, and containing the
            information described in paragraph (2).
                ``(2) Content.--Each application submitted by a State under
            this subsection shall include the following:
                        ``(A) A description of the pilot project to be
                    carried out under this section, including--
                                ``(i) whether the project will be carried
                            out--
                                        ``(I) by the State as a whole;
                                        ``(II) by a local area, and if so--
                                                ``(aa) an identification
                                            of--

                                                        ``(AA) such local
                                                    area; and

                                                        ``(BB) whether the
                                                    local area will be the
                                                    fiscal agent for the
                                                    project, or whether the
                                                    local board has entered
                                                    into a written
                                                    agreement with the
                                                    State for the State to
                                                    serve as the fiscal
                                                    agent during the
                                                    project; and

                                                ``(bb) written verification
                                            from the local board for such
                                            local area that such local
                                            board agrees--

                                                        ``(AA) to carry out
                                                    such project; and

                                                        ``(BB) to the
                                                    fiscal agent identified
                                                    in item (aa)(BB); or

                                        ``(III) by a consortium of local
                                    areas in the State, and if so--
                                                ``(aa) an identification
                                            of--

                                                        ``(AA) each local
                                                    area that comprises the
                                                    consortium; and

                                                        ``(BB) the local
                                                    area that will serve as
                                                    the fiscal agent for
                                                    the consortium during
                                                    the project, or whether
                                                    the consortium has
                                                    entered into a written
                                                    agreement with the
                                                    State for the State to
                                                    serve as the fiscal
                                                    agent; and

                                                ``(bb) written verification
                                            from each local board of each
                                            local area identified in item
                                            (aa)(AA) that such local board
                                            agrees--

                                                        ``(AA) to carry out
                                                    such project as a
                                                    consortium; and

                                                        ``(BB) to the
                                                    fiscal agent for the
                                                    consortium identified
                                                    in item (aa)(BB);

                                ``(ii) a description of the activities to
                            be carried out under the project, including--
                                        ``(I) the activities to be carried
                                    out under the reservation required
                                    under subparagraph (C) or (D) of
                                    subsection (b)(1), as applicable;
                                        ``(II) how the activities will
                                    comply with the priority of service
                                    described in subsection (e)(3); and
                                        ``(III) how the activities will be
                                    made available through the one-stop
                                    delivery system described in subsection
                                    (b)(2)(A)(iv);
                                ``(iii) the goals the State, local area, or
                            consortium intends to achieve through such
                            activities, which shall be aligned with the
                            purpose described in subsection (a); and
                                ``(iv) a description of any reforms or
                            improvements, including any reforms or
                            improvements that may be evidence-based, to
                            service delivery to be carried out under the
                            project.
                        ``(B) A description of the performance outcomes the
                    State, the local area, or consortium expects to achieve
                    for such activities for each year of the pilot project
                    period as described in subsection (f)(1).
                        ``(C) A description of how the State, local area,
                    or consortium consulted with employers, the State
                    board, and the local boards in the State in determining
                    the activities to carry out under the pilot project.
                        ``(D) A description of how the State will make such
                    activities available to jobseekers and employers in
                    each of the local areas in the State or, in a case of a
                    project that will be carried out by a local area or a
                    consortium, a description of how such services will be
                    made available to jobseekers and employers in such
                    local area or each of the local areas in the
                    consortium.
                        ``(E) A description, if appropriate, of how the
                    State, local area, or consortium will integrate the
                    funds received, and the activities carried out, under
                    the pilot project under this section with funds and
                    activities for State workforce development programs and
                    other Federal, State, or local workforce, education, or
                    social service programs (including the programs and
                    activities listed in section 103(a)(2), the program of
                    adult education and literacy activities authorized
                    under title II, and the program authorized under title
                    I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et
                    seq.)).
                        ``(F) An explanation of--
                                ``(i) how the State, local area, or
                            consortium will ensure that jobseekers and
                            employers in urban, rural, and suburban areas
                            are able to participate in the pilot project;
                            or
                                ``(ii) the factors preventing jobseekers
                            and employers in such areas from participating.
                        ``(G) An assurance that the State, local area, or
                    consortium will meet the requirements of this section.
                ``(3) Secretarial approval.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                                ``(i) approve an application submitted
                            under this subsection, and the pilot project
                            described in such application, not later than
                            90 days after the date on which such
                            application is submitted, unless the Secretary
                            meets the requirements of clause (ii); and
                                ``(ii) have the authority to disapprove
                            such application only if, by not later than 90
                            days after the date on which such application
                            is submitted, the Secretary--
                                        ``(I) determines--
                                                ``(aa) that such
                                            application is subject to the
                                            limitations described in
                                            subsection (c)(2); or
                                                ``(bb) that such
                                            application fails to meet the
                                            requirements of this section;
                                            and
                                        ``(II) in a case which the
                                    Secretary makes the determination
                                    described in subclause (I)(bb),
                                    provides to the State a written
                                    explanation of initial disapproval that
                                    meets the requirements of subparagraph
                                    (B).
                        ``(B) Initial disapproval.--An explanation of
                    initial disapproval provided by the Secretary to a
                    State under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) shall provide the
                    State with--
                                ``(i) a detailed explanation of why the
                            application does not meet the requirements of
                            this section; and
                                ``(ii) if the State is not subject to the
                            limitations described in subsection (c), an
                            opportunity to revise and resubmit the State's
                            application under this section.
                        ``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
                    paragraph shall be construed to require the Secretary
                    to approve more pilot projects than allowed under the
                    limitations described in subsection (c)(2).
                ``(4) Priority.--In approving pilot projects under this
            section in the case that more States, on behalf of the State as
            a whole or on behalf of local areas and consortia of local
            areas, have submitted applications that meet the requirements
            of this section than the Secretary is allowed to approve
            pursuant to the limitations described in subsection (c)(2), the
            Secretary shall give priority consideration as follows:
                        ``(A) For applications seeking a pilot project for
                    the State as a whole--
                                ``(i) first, to applications submitted by
                            States with a population of not more than
                            5,000,000 and not less than 15 workforce
                            boards, as of the date of enactment of the A
                            Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026; and
                                ``(ii) second, to applications submitted by
                            States that have achieved the State adjusted
                            levels of performance for the youth program
                            authorized under chapter 2 of subtitle B and
                            the adult and dislocated worker programs
                            authorized under chapter 3 of subtitle B in the
                            most recent program year for which performance
                            information is available.
                        ``(B) For applications seeking a pilot project for
                    a local area or consortium of local areas, to
                    applications submitted by local areas or consortia of
                    local areas that have achieved the negotiated local
                    levels of performance for such youth program and such
                    adult and dislocated worker programs in the most recent
                    program year for which performance information is
                    available.
        ``(e) State Pilot Project Requirements.--A State, local area, or
    consortium that has been approved to carry out a pilot project under
    this section shall meet each of the following requirements:
                ``(1) Use of funds.--Use the funds received pursuant to
            subsection (b)(1)(B) solely to carry out the activities of the
            pilot project to achieve the goals of the pilot project, as
            described in subsection (d)(2)(A).
                ``(2) Administrative costs limitation.--Use not more than
            10 percent of the funds received pursuant to subsection
            (b)(1)(B) for a fiscal year for the administrative costs of
            carrying out the pilot project.
                ``(3) Priority for services.--Give priority for services
            under the project to veterans and their eligible spouses in
            accordance with the requirements of section 4215 of title 38,
            United States Code, recipients of public assistance, low-income
            individuals, individuals who have foundational skill needs,
            out-of-school youth, and dislocated workers.
                ``(4) Number of participants.--Serve a number of
            participants under the activities of the pilot project for each
            year of the pilot project period that--
                        ``(A) is greater than the number of participants
                    served by such State, local area, or consortium, as
                    applicable, under the programs described in
                    subparagraph (A) of section 3(13) for the most recent
                    program year that ended prior to the beginning of the
                    first year of the pilot project period; or
                        ``(B) is not less than the number of participants
                    to be served under the activities of the pilot project
                    that is agreed upon between the State, local area, or
                    consortium, as applicable, and the Secretary--
                                ``(i) prior to the Secretary's approval of
                            the application submitted under subsection (d);
                            and
                                ``(ii) after the Secretary takes into
                            account--
                                        ``(I) the goals the State, local
                                    area, or consortium intends to achieve
                                    through the pilot project; and
                                        ``(II) the participants the State,
                                    local area, or consortium intends to
                                    serve under such project.
                ``(5) Reporting outcomes.--Submit, on an annual basis, to
            the Secretary a report, with respect to such State, local area,
            or consortium--
                        ``(A) on participant outcomes for each indicator of
                    performance described in subsection (f)(1)(A) for the
                    activities carried out under the project;
                        ``(B) on the applicable requirements of section
                    116(d)(2), including--
                                ``(i) subparagraph (B) of such section; and
                                ``(ii) subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), (F),
                            (G), and (J) of such section, as such
                            subparagraphs are applicable to activities
                            under the pilot project; and
                        ``(C) containing a description of how the State
                    spent the amounts reserved under subsection (b)(1)(C)
                    or the local area or consortium spent the amounts
                    reserved under subsection (b)(1)(D), as applicable, and
                    any evidence-based practices developed with such
                    amounts.
                ``(6) Compliance with certain existing requirements.--
            Comply with the statutory or regulatory requirements listed in
            subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(2).
        ``(f) Performance Accountability.--
                ``(1) Establishment of baseline levels for performance.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Each State shall describe in the
                    application submitted under subsection (d), for each
                    year of the pilot project period--
                                ``(i) with respect to participants who are
                            at least 25 years old, the expected State
                            levels of performance or expected local levels
                            of performance, as the case may be, for each of
                            the indicators of performance under section
                            116(b)(2)(A)(i) for the activities carried out
                            under the project under this section, which
                            shall meet the requirements of subparagraph
                            (B); and
                                ``(ii) with respect to participants who are
                            at least 16 years old and not older than 24
                            years old, the expected State levels of
                            performance or expected local levels of
                            performance, as the case may be, for each of
                            the indicators of performance under section
                            116(b)(2)(A)(ii) for the activities carried out
                            under the project under this section, which
                            shall meet the requirements of subparagraph
                            (B).
                        ``(B) Fifth year.--Each of the expected levels of
                    performance established pursuant to subparagraph (A)
                    for each of the indicators of performance for the fifth
                    year of the pilot project period shall be higher than--
                                ``(i) the highest State adjusted or
                            negotiated local level of performance, as
                            applicable, for the corresponding indicator of
                            performance for the programs described in
                            subparagraph (A) of section 3(13), for the most
                            recent program year for such State that ended
                            prior to the beginning of the first year of the
                            pilot project period; or
                                ``(ii) an alternate baseline level of
                            performance that--
                                        ``(I) shall not be lower than the
                                    most recent State adjusted or
                                    negotiated local level of performance
                                    (including any revisions) for the
                                    corresponding indicator of performance
                                    for the youth program under chapter 2
                                    of subtitle B or the adult or
                                    dislocated worker program under chapter
                                    3 of such subtitle (using the program
                                    determined most applicable by the
                                    Governor of the State submitting the
                                    application), taking into account the
                                    goals the State intends to achieve
                                    through the pilot project and the
                                    participants the State intends to serve
                                    through such project; and
                                        ``(II) is agreed upon between the
                                    State and the Secretary--
                                                ``(aa) prior to the
                                            Secretary's approval of the
                                            application submitted under
                                            subsection (d); and
                                                ``(bb) after the Secretary
                                            takes into account--

                                                        ``(AA) the goals
                                                    the State intends to
                                                    achieve through the
                                                    pilot project; and

                                                        ``(BB) the
                                                    participants the State
                                                    intends to serve under
                                                    such project.

                        ``(C) Agreed level for performance on expected
                    levels of performance.--Prior to approving an
                    application for a pilot project submitted by a State,
                    and using the expected levels of performance described
                    in such application, the Secretary shall reach an
                    agreement with such State on the expected levels of
                    performance for each of the indicators of performance.
                    In reaching an agreement on such expected levels of
                    performance, the Secretary and the State may consider
                    the factors described in section 116(b)(3)(A)(v).
                ``(2) Sanctions.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The sanctions described in
                    section 116(f)(1)(B) shall apply to a State, local
                    area, or consortium of local areas beginning on the
                    third year of the pilot project period (and, for
                    failures described in clause (ii)(II) of that section,
                    shall first apply for consecutive failures in that
                    third year and the following year) for such State,
                    local area, or consortium, except that the expected
                    levels of performance established under paragraph (1)
                    shall be--
                                ``(i) deemed to be levels of performance
                            agreed to under section 116(b)(3)(A)(iv), for
                            purposes of this paragraph; and
                                ``(ii) adjusted at the end of each program
                            year to reflect the actual characteristics of
                            participants served and the actual economic
                            conditions experienced using a statistical
                            adjustment model similar to the model described
                            in section 116(b)(3)(A)(viii).
                        ``(B) Ineligibility for renewal.--A State, local
                    area, or consortium that is subject to such sanctions
                    shall be ineligible to renew its pilot project period
                    under subsection (c).
                ``(3) Impact of local or consortium pilot projects on
            statewide accountability.--With respect to a State with an
            approved pilot project for a local area or consortium of local
            areas in the State--
                        ``(A) the performance of such local area or
                    consortium for the programs described in subparagraph
                    (A) of section 3(13) shall not be included in the
                    levels of performance for such State for any of such
                    programs for purposes of section 116 for any program
                    year that is applicable to any year of the pilot
                    project period; and
                        ``(B) with respect to any local areas of the State
                    that are not part of the pilot project, the State shall
                    reach a new agreement with the Secretary, for purposes
                    of section 116(b)(3)(A), on levels of performance for
                    such programs for such program years.
        ``(g) Termination.--Except as provided under subsection (c)(1)(B),
    the Secretary may not approve a pilot project after December 31,
    2031.''.

    SEC. 198. GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

        Section 194 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3254)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                ``(16)(A) In general.--Each recipient of funds described in
            section 128(a), section 128(b), or section 133(b) or under
            subtitle C or D (including a provider described in section
            122(i) that is awarded such funds by a State or local area)
            shall provide to the appropriate entity an assurance that the
            recipient will adhere to the requirements under subsections (a)
            and (b) of section 181.
        ``(B) Appropriate Entity.--For the purposes of this paragraph, the
    term `appropriate entity' means--
                ``(i) in the case of any funds described in section 128(a),
            the Governor of the State providing such funds;
                ``(ii) in the case of any funds described in section 128(b)
            or section 133(b), the local board providing such funds; and
                ``(iii) in the case of any funds under subtitle C or D, the
            Secretary.
                ``(17) Regarding states with low population density.--
                        ``(A) Low-density workforce area considerations.--
                    In the case of a local area located in a `low-density
                    workforce area', section 129(c)(4) shall be applied--
                                ``(i) by substituting `25 percent' for `40
                            percent'; and
                                ``(ii) by substituting `7 and 1/2 percent'
                            for `12 and 1/2 percent'.
                        ``(B) Low-density workforce area definition.--In
                    this title, the term `low-density workforce area' means
                    a State with a population density of less than 1.5
                    persons per square mile, as determined by the most
                    recent decennial census of the Bureau of the Census.''.

                     TITLE II--ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY

       Subtitle A--Transferring All Functions of the Adult Education and
                 Family Literacy Act to the Department of Labor

    SEC. 201. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.

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

    SEC. 202. PERSONNEL DETERMINATIONS BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND
                  BUDGET.

        The Office of Management and Budget shall--
                (1) ensure that this subtitle does not result in any net
            increase in full-time equivalent employees across all Federal
            agencies impacted by this subtitle; and
                (2) not later than 1 year after the effective date of this
            subtitle, certify compliance with this subtitle to the
            Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of
            Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
            and Pensions of the Senate.

    SEC. 203. DELEGATION AND ASSIGNMENT.

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

    SEC. 204. REORGANIZATION; RULES.

        (a) Reorganization.--Except where otherwise expressly prohibited by
    law or otherwise provided by this Act (or the amendments made by this
    Act), the Secretary of Labor is authorized to allocate or reallocate
    any function transferred under section 201 among the officers of the
    Department of Labor, and to consolidate, alter, or discontinue such
    organizational entities in such Department as may be necessary or
    appropriate.
        (b) Rules.--The Secretary of Labor is authorized to prescribe, in
    accordance with the provisions of chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United
    States Code, such rules and regulations as that the Secretary
    determines necessary or appropriate to administer and manage the
    functions described in section 201 of the Department of Labor.

    SEC. 205. TRANSFER AND ALLOCATION OF APPROPRIATIONS AND PERSONNEL.

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

    SEC. 206. INCIDENTAL TRANSFERS.

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

    SEC. 207. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

        (a) Continuing Effect of Legal Documents.--All orders,
    determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, contracts,
    certificates, licenses, registrations, privileges, and other
    administrative actions--
                (1) which have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to
            become effective by the President, any Federal department or
            agency or official thereof, or by a court of competent
            jurisdiction, in the performance of functions which are
            transferred under this Act to the Secretary or the Department,
            and
                (2) which are in effect at the time this Act takes effect,
    shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified,
    terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with the
    law by the President, the Secretary of Labor, or other authorized
    official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law.
        (b) Proceedings Not Affected.--The provisions of this subtitle
    shall not affect any proceedings, including notices of proposed
    rulemaking, or any application for any license, permit, certificate, or
    financial assistance pending on the effective date of this subtitle
    before the Department of Education with respect to functions of which
    are transferred by section 201 but such proceedings and applications
    shall be continued. Orders shall be issued in such proceedings, appeals
    shall be taken therefrom, and payments shall be made pursuant to such
    orders, as if this subtitle had not been enacted, and orders issued in
    any such proceedings shall continue in effect until modified,
    terminated, superseded, or revoked by a duly authorized individual, by
    a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. Nothing in
    this subsection shall be deemed to prohibit the discontinuance or
    modification of any such proceeding under the same terms and conditions
    and to the same extent that such proceeding could have been
    discontinued or modified if this subtitle had not been enacted.
        (c) Suits Not Affected.--Except as provided in subsection (e) the
    provisions of this subtitle shall not affect suits commenced (with
    respect to the functions transferred under section 201) prior to the
    effective date of this subtitle, and in all such suits, proceedings
    shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner
    and effect as if this subtitle had not been enacted.
        (d) Nonabatement of Actions.--No suit, action, or other proceeding
    commenced by or against the Department of Education (with regard to
    functions transferred under section 201), or by or against any officer
    in the official capacity of such individual as an officer of the
    Department of Education (with regard to functions transferred under
    section 201), shall abate by reason of the enactment of this subtitle.
        (e) Administrative Actions Relating to Promulgation of
    Regulations.--Any administrative action relating to the preparation or
    promulgation of a regulation by the Secretary of Education (with regard
    to functions transferred under section 201) may be continued by the
    Secretary of Labor with the same effect as if this subtitle had not
    been enacted.

    SEC. 208. REFERENCES.

        A reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, rule,
    regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or relating
    to--
                (1) the Secretary of Education (with regard to functions
            transferred under section 201), shall be deemed to refer to the
            Secretary of Labor; and
                (2) the Department of Education or Office within the
            Department (with regard to functions transferred under section
            201), shall be deemed to refer to the Department of Labor.

    SEC. 209. TRANSITION.

        The Secretary of Labor is authorized to utilize--
                (1) the services of such officers, employees, and other
            personnel of the Department of Education with regard to
            functions transferred under section 201; and
                (2) funds appropriated to such functions,
    for such period of time as may reasonably be needed to facilitate the
    orderly implementation of this subtitle.

    SEC. 210. UPDATING REFERENCES.

        (a) WIOA.--Section 203(15) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3272(15)) is amended by striking
    ``Education'' and inserting ``Labor''.
        (b) Department of Education Organization Act.--
                (1) Principal officers.--Section 202 of the Department of
            Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3412) is amended--
                        (A) in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking ``Career,
                    Technical, and Adult Education'' and inserting ``Career
                    and Technical Education''; and
                        (B) in subsection (h), by striking ``Career,
                    Technical, and Adult Education'' each place it appears
                    and inserting ``Career and Technical Education''.
                (2) Office of career and technical education.--Section 206
            of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C.
            3416) is amended--
                        (A) in the section header, by striking ``career,
                    technical, and adult education'' and inserting ``career
                    and technical education'';
                        (B) in the first sentence, by striking ``Career,
                    Technical, and Adult Education'' and inserting ``Career
                    and Technical Education''; and
                        (C) in the second sentence, by striking ``career,
                    technical, and adult education'' and inserting ``career
                    and technical education''.

    SEC. 211. EFFECTIVE DATE.

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

              Subtitle B--Adult Education and Family Literacy Act

    SEC. 221. PURPOSES.

        Section 202 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3271) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(including digital
            literacy skills and AI literacy skills)'' before ``necessary'';
                (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``secondary school
            diploma'' and inserting ``regular high school diploma or its
            recognized equivalent''; and
                (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``English language
            learners'' and inserting ``English learners''.

    SEC. 222. DEFINITIONS.

        Section 203 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3272) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                                (i) by striking ``and speak'' and inserting
                            ``listen, speak, and comprehend''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``secondary'' and
                            inserting ``regular high'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
                    end;
                        (C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
                    subparagraph (D); and
                        (D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
                    following:
                        ``(C) develop and use digital literacy skills;
                    and'';
                (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (14), (15) (as
            amended by section 210(a)), (16), and (17), as paragraphs (5)
            through (16), (18), (19), and (20), respectively;
                (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
                ``(3) AI literacy skills.--The term `AI literacy skills'
            means a foundational set of competencies, outlined by the AI
            literacy framework of the Department of Labor, that enable
            individuals to use and evaluate artificial intelligence
            technologies responsibly, with a primary focus on generative
            artificial intelligence.
                ``(4) Digital literacy skills.--The term `digital literacy
            skills'--
                        ``(A) means the skills associated with using
                    existing and emerging technologies to find, evaluate,
                    organize, create, communicate information, and to
                    complete tasks; and
                        ``(B) includes AI literacy skills.'';
                (4) in paragraph (6)(C) (as so redesignated)--
                        (A) by striking clause (i) and inserting the
                    following:
                                ``(i) has foundational skill needs;'';
                        (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``secondary'' and
                    inserting ``regular high''; and
                        (C) in clause (iii), by striking ``English language
                    learner'' and inserting ``English learner'';
                (5) in paragraph (8) (as so redesignated)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``English
                    language learners'' and inserting ``English learners'';
                    and
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)(i)(I), by striking
                    ``secondary'' and inserting ``regular high'';
                (6) in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated)--
                        (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking
                    ``language''; and
                        (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
                    striking ``English language learner'' and inserting
                    ``English learner'';
                (7) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) in paragraph
            (11) (as so redesignated), by inserting ``and educational''
            after ``the economic'';
                (8) in paragraph (14) (as so redesignated)--
                        (A) by striking ``English language learners'' and
                    inserting ``English learners''; and
                        (B) by striking ``and may include workforce
                    training.'' and inserting the following: ``and may--
                        ``(A) include skills development, postsecondary
                    preparation activities, digital literacy skills
                    instruction, financial literacy instruction, and
                    workforce training; and
                        ``(B) be provided concurrently with other
                    activities and services, such as adult education.'';
                (9) in paragraph (15) (as so redesignated), by striking
            ``and speak in English, compute, and solve problems,'' and
            inserting ``speak, and comprehend in English, compute, solve
            problems, and have digital literacy skills,''; and
                (10) by inserting after paragraph (16) (as so redesignated)
            the following:
                ``(17) Postsecondary preparation activities.--The term
            `postsecondary preparation activities' means academic
            counseling (which may be provided by a college and career
            navigator) and services designed to support enrollment and
            success in postsecondary education that include assisting
            individuals to--
                        ``(A) identify postsecondary educational options
                    that prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment;
                        ``(B) navigate the transition from adult education
                    to postsecondary education;
                        ``(C) navigate the transition from adult education
                    to workforce development programs and services;
                        ``(D) coenroll in adult education and workforce
                    development programs, if applicable;
                        ``(E) improve academic skills so that individuals
                    are prepared to participate in postsecondary education
                    without need for remediation; or
                        ``(F) learn notetaking, study skills, and other
                    skills that promote student success in postsecondary
                    education.''.

    SEC. 223. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

    ``SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
    $729,167,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.''.

    SEC. 224. SPECIAL RULE.

        Section 211 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3291) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``secondary'' and
            inserting ``regular high''; and
                (2) in subsection (e)(3), by striking ``period described in
            section 3(45)'' and inserting ``period described in
            subparagraph (B) of the definition of `outlying area' in
            section 3''.

    SEC. 225. PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.

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

    ``SEC. 212. PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.

        ``(a) In General.--Programs and activities authorized in this title
    are subject to the performance accountability provisions described in
    section 116, except that the indicator described in subsection
    (b)(2)(A)(i)(VI) of such section shall be applied as if it were the
    percentage of program participants who exited the program during the
    program year and completed an integrated education and training
    program.
        ``(b) Data Collection.--Notwithstanding section 134(a) of the
    Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015c(a)), the Secretary is
    authorized to collect deidentified participant-level data for
    participants in programs and activities funded under this title on the
    information required for State performance reports as described in
    section 116(d) for the sole purpose of administering the performance
    accountability system under section 116.''.

    SEC. 226. MATCHING REQUIREMENT.

        Section 222(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3302(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                ``(3) Public availability of information on matching
            funds.--Each eligible agency shall maintain, on a publicly
            accessible website of such agency and in an easily accessible
            format, information documenting the non-Federal contributions
            made available to programs that offer adult education and
            literacy activities or family literacy activities pursuant to
            this subsection, including--
                        ``(A) the sources of such contributions, except
                    that in the case of private contributions, names of the
                    individuals or entities providing such contributions
                    may not be disclosed; and
                        ``(B) in the case of funds made available by a
                    State or outlying area, an explanation of how such
                    funds are distributed to eligible providers.''.

    SEC. 227. STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.

        Section 223(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3303(a)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
                    ``activities.'' and inserting ``activities and the
                    identification of opportunities to coordinate with
                    activities supported under the Carl D. Perkins Career
                    and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et
                    seq.) to expand integrated education and training
                    programs.'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                                (i) in clause (i), by striking ``based on
                            the most rigorous or scientifically valid
                            research available and appropriate, in reading,
                            writing, speaking, mathematics,'' and inserting
                            ``based on evidence-based practices, in
                            reading, writing, speaking, English
                            comprehension, mathematics,'';
                                (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at
                            the end;
                                (iii) in clause (iii), by striking the
                            period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                                (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                                ``(iv) assistance in reporting participant
                            outcomes for the performance accountability
                            system described in section 212, including
                            facilitating partnerships with the appropriate
                            State entities to conduct matches with State
                            administrative data (such as wage records) to
                            determine program performance on the indicators
                            of performance described in subclauses (I)
                            through (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) and
                            which may include assistance in integrating
                            with statewide longitudinal data systems, and
                            making data available in structured, open,
                            linked, and interoperable formats, as
                            appropriate.'';
                        (C) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as
                    subparagraph (E); and
                        (D) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
                    following:
                        ``(D) The development, identification, acquisition,
                    and dissemination (which may be done in coordination
                    with other States) of evidence-based instructional
                    materials (to the extent available) that lead to
                    literacy, English language acquisition, a recognized
                    postsecondary credential, or any combination of such
                    results; and--
                                ``(i) are designed to meet the needs of
                            adult learners, including English learners, and
                            may be developed for integrated education and
                            training in an in-demand industry sector or
                            occupation within the State; and
                                ``(ii) will improve the instruction
                            provided pursuant to the local activities
                            required under section 231(b).''; and
                (2) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (F), (G),
                    (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), and (M), as subparagraphs (F),
                    (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M), and (R),
                    respectively;
                        (B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
                    following:
                        ``(E) Developing content and models for programs
                    that support family literacy activities.'';
                        (C) in subparagraph (G) (as so redesignated), by
                    inserting before the period the following: ``,
                    including such institutions that offer an eligible
                    program for purposes of the Workforce Pell Grant
                    program under section 401(k) of the Higher Education
                    Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a(k)), as added by section
                    83002(a) of Public Law 119-21'';
                        (D) in subparagraph (J)(i) (as so redesignated)--
                                (i) by striking ``mathematics, and
                            English'' and inserting ``mathematics,
                            English''; and
                                (ii) by striking ``acquisition;'' and
                            inserting ``acquisition, and digital literacy
                            skills;'';
                        (E) by striking subparagraph (K) (as so
                    redesignated) and inserting the following:
                        ``(K) Developing and piloting of strategies for
                    improving adult educator recruitment, quality, and
                    retention, such as--
                                ``(i) the provision of professional
                            development;
                                ``(ii) the development and maintenance of
                            policies for awarding recognized postsecondary
                            credentials to adult educators who demonstrate
                            effectiveness at improving the achievement of
                            adult students; and
                                ``(iii) the development and piloting of
                            work-based learning programs (including
                            apprenticeship programs) for adult
                            educators.'';
                        (F) in subparagraph (L) (as so redesignated), by
                    striking ``English language learners'' and inserting
                    ``English learners'';
                        (G) in subparagraph (M) (as so redesignated), by
                    inserting ``, which may include through partnerships
                    with local educational agencies or public agencies to
                    recruit eligible individuals'' after ``employers''; and
                        (H) by inserting after subparagraph (M) (as so
                    redesignated) the following:
                        ``(N) Performance incentive payments to eligible
                    providers, including incentive payments linked to
                    increased use of integrated education and training or
                    other forms of instruction linking adult education with
                    the development of occupational skills for an in-demand
                    industry sector or occupation in the State.
                        ``(O) Strengthening the quality and effectiveness
                    of adult education and programs that support family
                    literacy activities in the State through support for
                    program quality standards and accreditation
                    requirements.
                        ``(P) Raising public awareness (including through
                    public service announcements, such as social media
                    campaigns) about career and technical education
                    programs and community-based organizations, and other
                    endeavors focused on programs that prepare individuals
                    for in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
                        ``(Q) Postsecondary preparation activities.''.

    SEC. 228. PROGRAMS FOR CORRECTIONS EDUCATION AND OTHER
                  INSTITUTIONALIZED INDIVIDUALS.

        Section 225 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3305) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) by striking ``From funds'' and inserting the
                    following:
                ``(1) In general.--From funds''; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(2) Priority.--An eligible agency granting awards from
            funds authorized under paragraph (1) shall give priority to an
            eligible entity that proposes to operate an educational program
            in a correctional institution that is also served by a program
            authorized under section 172.'';
                (2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``secondary school
            credit'' and inserting ``attainment of a regular high school
            diploma or its recognized equivalent'';
                (3) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections
            (e) and (f), respectively;
                (4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
        ``(d) Coordination.--Each eligible agency that is using assistance
    provided under this section to carry out a program for criminal
    offenders within a correctional institution shall--
                ``(1) coordinate such educational programs with career and
            technical education activities provided to individuals in State
            institutions from funds reserved under section 112(a)(2)(A) of
            the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
            (20 U.S.C. 2322(a)(2)(A));
                ``(2) identify opportunities to develop integrated
            education and training opportunities for such individuals;
                ``(3) coordinate with institutions of higher education
            operating a prison education program in the State; and
                ``(4) if the correctional institution is also served by a
            program authorized under section 172, provide a description of
            how the award funds under this section will be used to carry
            out the activities described in section 172, in conjunction
            with the activities described in subsection (b).''; and
                (5) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by adding at
            the end the following:
                ``(3) Prison education program.--The term `prison education
            program' has the meaning given the term in section 484 of the
            Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091).''.

    SEC. 229. GRANTS AND CONTRACTS FOR ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS.

        Section 231 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3321) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) by striking ``From grant funds'' and inserting
                    the following:
                ``(1) In general.--From grant funds''; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(2) Prompt availability of funds.--Each eligible agency
            shall ensure that funds are available for reimbursement to an
            eligible provider that is awarded a multiyear grant or contract
            under paragraph (1) not later than 45 days after the date on
            which the multiyear grant or contract is awarded.'';
                (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 203(4)'' and
            inserting ``section 203(6)'';
                (3) in subsection (e)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking ``English
                    language learners'' and inserting ``English learners'';
                        (B) in paragraph (5)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
                            ``and'' at the end;
                                (ii) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``and''
                            at the end; and
                                (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(C) uses instructional materials that are
                    designed to meet the needs of adult learners and
                    English learners and are evidence-based (to the extent
                    practicable), which may include, but shall not be
                    required to include, the instructional materials
                    disseminated by the State under section
                    223(a)(1)(D);'';
                        (C) in paragraph (6), by striking ``speaking,
                    mathematics, and English'' and inserting ``speaking and
                    listening, mathematics, comprehension, and English'';
                    and
                        (A) in paragraph (10), by inserting ``local
                    educational agencies,'' after ``strong links with'';
                    and
                (4) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(f) Cost Analysis.--In determining the amount of funds to be
    awarded in grants or contracts under this section, the eligible agency
    may consider the costs of providing learning in context, including
    integrated education and training and workplace adult education and
    literacy activities, and the extent to which the eligible provider
    intends to serve individuals using such activities, in order to align
    the amount of funds awarded with such costs.''.

    SEC. 230. LOCAL APPLICATION.

        Section 232 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3322) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and coordinate with
            the appropriate State entity'' after ``data'';
                (2) in paragraph (6), by striking ``; and'' and inserting
            ``, such as how the eligible provider may provide adult
            education and literacy activities in a manner that is
            integrated with postsecondary preparation activities to enable
            students to prepare for opportunities to attain a recognized
            postsecondary credential, including opportunities to earn
            recognized postsecondary credentials that are stackable along a
            career pathway within an in-demand industry sector or
            occupation'';
                (3) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
                (4) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
                ``(7) a description of how the eligible provider will
            provide learning in context, including through partnerships
            with employers to offer workplace adult education and literacy
            activities and integrated education and training; and''.

    SEC. 231. LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE COST LIMITS.

        Section 233(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3323(a)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``95'' and inserting
            ``85''; and
                (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
                ``(2) the remaining amount--
                        ``(A) not to exceed 10 percent, may be used for
                    professional development for adult educators (which may
                    include apprenticeship programs for adult educators);
                    and
                        ``(B) not to exceed 5 percent, shall be used for
                    planning, administration (including carrying out the
                    requirements of section 116), professional development
                    of administrative staff, and the activities described
                    in paragraphs (3) and (5) of section 232.''.

    SEC. 232. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.

        Section 242 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
    U.S.C. 3332) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (b)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``116;'' and
                    inserting ``116, including the dissemination of
                    effective practices used by States to use statewide
                    longitudinal data systems or other sources of
                    administrative data to determine program performance
                    and reduce the data collection and reporting burden on
                    eligible providers;''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, including the
                    Institute of Education Sciences''; and
                (2) in subsection (c)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
                            ``English language learners'' and inserting
                            ``English learners''; and
                                (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting
                            ``skills'' after ``digital literacy''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (2)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (C)--
                                        (I) in clause (i), by striking
                                    ``rigorous research'' and inserting
                                    ``evidence-based practices''; and
                                        (II) in clause (vii)--
                                                (aa) in subclause (I), by
                                            striking ``adults with'' and
                                            all that follows through the
                                            semicolon and inserting
                                            ``adults with disabilities,
                                            including adults with learning
                                            disabilities, and with adults
                                            who are English learners;'';
                                                (bb) in subclause (III), by
                                            striking ``and'' after the
                                            semicolon;
                                                (cc) in subclause (IV), by
                                            inserting ``and'' after the
                                            semicolon; and
                                                (dd) by adding at the end
                                            the following:
                                        ``(V) programs that offer family
                                    literacy activities;'';
                                (ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking
                            ``and'' after the semicolon;
                                (iii) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as
                            subparagraph (J); and
                                (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (F)
                            the following:
                        ``(G) developing and rigorously evaluating programs
                    for the preparation of effective adult educators and
                    disseminating the results of such evaluations;
                        ``(H) carrying out initiatives to support the
                    effectiveness and impact of adult education, that
                    States may adopt on a voluntary basis, through--
                                ``(i) the development and dissemination of
                            staffing models, which may include full-time
                            staffing models, that prioritize demonstrated
                            effectiveness and continuous improvement in
                            supporting the learning of adult students; and
                                ``(ii) the evaluation and improvement of
                            program quality standards and accreditation
                            requirements;
                        ``(I) providing technical assistance to eligible
                    agencies regarding effective professional development
                    for programs that offer adult education and literacy
                    activities or family literacy activities; and''.

    SEC. 233. INTEGRATED ENGLISH LITERACY AND CIVICS EDUCATION.

        (a) In General.--Section 243(a) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3333(a)) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``From funds'' and inserting the following:
                ``(1) Each fiscal year.--Subject to paragraph (2), from
            funds''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(2) Certain fiscal years.--With respect to fiscal year
            2027 or a succeeding fiscal year, if amounts made available
            under section 211(a)(2) for such a fiscal year exceed, by at
            least 1 percent, grant amounts awarded to States under this
            section for fiscal year 2026, the Secretary shall, from amounts
            made available under section 211(a)(2) for such fiscal year
            after fiscal year 2026--
                        ``(A) reserve 1 percent of the amounts to award
                    grants to outlying areas, in the manner determined
                    appropriate by the Secretary of Labor for such outlying
                    areas to carry out the activities described in
                    paragraph (1); and
                        ``(B) use the amounts remaining after such
                    reservation to award grants to States under this
                    section.''.
        (b) Allotment.--Section 243(b)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3333(b)(1) is amended by amending the matter
    preceding subparagraph (A) as follows: ``Subject to paragraph (2), from
    amounts made available under section 211(a)(2) for a fiscal year, and
    after reserving amounts in accordance with subsection (a)(2), if
    appropriate for such fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate--''
        (c) English Learners.--Section 243(c)(1) of the Workforce
    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3333(c)(1)) is amended by
    striking ``English language learners'' and inserting ``English
    learners''.

                      TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS

    SEC. 301. AMENDMENTS TO THE WAGNER-PEYSER ACT.

        (a) Definitions.--Section 2(5) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C.
    49a(5)) is amended by inserting ``the Commonwealth of the Northern
    Mariana Islands, American Samoa,'' after ``Guam,''.
        (b) Unemployment Compensation Law Requirement.--Section 5(b)(1) of
    the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49d(b)(1)) is amended by inserting
    ``the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or American
    Samoa,'' after ``Guam,''.
        (c) Allotments.--Section 6 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49e)
    is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) by striking ``except for Guam'' and inserting
                    ``except for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
                    Mariana Islands, and American Samoa'';
                        (B) by striking ``first allot to Guam and the
                    Virgin Islands'' and inserting the following: ``first
                    allot--
                ``(1) to Guam and the Virgin Islands'';
                        (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting
                    ``; and''; and
                        (D) by adding at the end the following:
                ``(2) beginning with the first fiscal year for which the
            total amount available for allotments under this section is
            greater than the total amount available for allotments under
            this section for fiscal year 2024, and for each succeeding
            fiscal year, to each of the Commonwealth of the Northern
            Mariana Islands and American Samoa, an amount which is equal to
            one-half of the amount allotted to Guam under paragraph (1) for
            the corresponding fiscal year.''; and
                (2) in subsection (b)(1), in the matter following
            subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, the Commonwealth of the
            Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa,'' after ``Guam''.
        (d) Use of Funds.--Section 7 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C.
    49f) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)--
                        (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and referral to
                    employers'' and inserting ``referral to employers, and
                    the services described in section 134(c)(2)(A)(ii) of
                    the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3174(c)(2)(A)(ii)) when provided by the employment
                    service office colocated with the one-stop delivery
                    system'';
                        (B) in paragraph (3)--
                                (i) in subparagraph (F), by striking the
                            ``and'' at the end;
                                (ii) by moving subparagraph (G) for ems to
                            the right;
                                (iii) in subparagraph (G), by striking the
                            period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                                (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(H) establishing a talent marketplace (as defined
                    in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
                    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)).''; and
                (2) in subsection (e), by inserting before the period at
            the end the following: ``and in accordance with the
            requirements of section 134(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
            3174(c)(2)(A)(i)(I))''.
        (e) Workforce and Labor Market Information System.--Section 15 of
    the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49l-2) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                        (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                                (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
                            striking ``timely manner'' and inserting
                            ``manner that is as close to real-time as
                            practicable'';
                                (ii) in clause (i), by striking ``part-
                            time, and seasonal workers'' and inserting
                            ``part-time, contingent, and seasonal workers,
                            and workers engaged in alternative employment
                            arrangements'';
                                (iii) by redesignating clauses (iii) and
                            (iv) as clauses (iv) and (v), respectively; and
                                (iv) by inserting after clause (ii), the
                            following:
                                ``(iii) real-time trends in new and
                            emerging occupational roles, and in new and
                            emerging skills by occupation and industry,
                            with particular attention paid to State and
                            local conditions;'';
                        (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting
                    ``(including, to the extent practicable, real-time)''
                    after ``current''; and
                        (C) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``user-
                    friendly manner and'' and inserting ``manner that makes
                    the data, information, and analysis available on-demand
                    and is user-friendly,'';
                (2) in subsection (b)(2)(F)--
                        (A) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and
                    inserting ``(including, to the extent practicable,
                    provided in real-time);'';
                        (B) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii);
                    and
                        (C) by inserting after clause (i), as so amended,
                    the following:
                                ``(ii) the capabilities of digital
                            technology and modern data collection
                            approaches are effectively utilized; and'';
                (3) in subsection (e)(2)(H), by striking ``section
            116(i)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act'' and
            inserting ``section 116(j)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and
            Opportunity Act''; and
                (4) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
        ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
    appropriated to carry out this section $52,892,000 for each of the
    fiscal years 2027 through 2032.''.

    SEC. 302. JOB TRAINING GRANTS.

        Section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce
    Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3224a) is amended to read as
    follows:
        ``(c) Job Training Grants.--
                ``(1) Allotment.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Of the funds available under
                    section 286(s)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality
                    Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(2)), the Secretary of Labor
                    shall, for each fiscal year--
                                ``(i) return permanently 12 percent of such
                            amounts in each fiscal year to the general fund
                            of the Treasury;
                                ``(ii) use $65,000,000 of such funds to
                            carry out the program established under section
                            173 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
                            Act; and
                                ``(iii) using the funds remaining after
                            carrying out clauses (i) and (ii), make
                            allotments to each State that receives an
                            allotment under section 132(b) of the Workforce
                            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                            3172(b)) for the purpose of providing training
                            services through individual training accounts
                            for eligible dislocated workers as described in
                            paragraph (2)(A).
                        ``(B) Reservation; allotment among states.--
                                ``(i) Reservation.--From the amount made
                            available under subparagraph (A)(iii) for a
                            fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not
                            more than \1/4\ of 1 percent of such amount to
                            provide assistance to the outlying areas for
                            the purpose described in paragraph (2)(A).
                                ``(ii) Allotment among states.--Subject to
                            clause (iii) of this subparagraph, the
                            Secretary shall use the remainder of the amount
                            made available under subparagraph (A)(iii) (in
                            this subparagraph referred to as the `remainder
                            amount') for a fiscal year to make allotments
                            to States described in subparagraph (A)(iii) on
                            the following basis:
                                        ``(I) 33 and \1/3\ percent shall be
                                    allotted on the basis of the relative
                                    number of unemployed individuals in
                                    each such State, compared to the total
                                    number of unemployed individuals in all
                                    such States.
                                        ``(II) 33 and \1/3\ percent shall
                                    be allotted on the basis of the
                                    relative number of disadvantaged adults
                                    in each such State, compared to the
                                    total number of disadvantaged adults in
                                    all such States.
                                        ``(III) 33 and \1/3\ percent shall
                                    be allotted on the basis of the
                                    relative number of individuals in the
                                    civilian labor force in each such
                                    State, compared to the total number in
                                    the civilian labor force in all such
                                    States.
                                ``(iii) Small state minimum.--The Secretary
                            shall ensure that no State shall receive an
                            allotment under this subparagraph for a fiscal
                            year that is less than--
                                        ``(I) in the case of a fiscal year
                                    for which the remainder amount is not
                                    more than $180,000,000, \3/10\ of 1
                                    percent of such remainder amount; and
                                        ``(II) in the case of a fiscal year
                                    for which the remainder amount exceeds
                                    $180,000,000, the total of--
                                                ``(aa) \3/10\ of 1 percent
                                            of $180,000,000; and
                                                ``(bb) \2/5\ of 1 percent
                                            of such excess amount.
                                ``(iv) Disadvantaged adult defined.--For
                            purposes of this subparagraph and subparagraph
                            (C), the term `disadvantaged adult' has the
                            meaning given such term in section
                            132(b)(1)(B)(v)(IV) of the Workforce Innovation
                            and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                            3172(b)(1)(B)(v)(IV)).
                                ``(v) Reallotment.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--The Secretary of
                                    Labor shall, in accordance with this
                                    clause, reallot to eligible States
                                    amounts that are made available to
                                    States from allotments made under this
                                    subparagraph (referred to individually
                                    in this subsection as a `State
                                    allotment') and that are available for
                                    reallotment.
                                        ``(II) Amount.--The amount
                                    available for reallotment for a program
                                    year is equal to the amount by which
                                    the unobligated balance of the State
                                    allotment, at the end of the program
                                    year prior to the program year for
                                    which the determination under this
                                    subclause is made, exceeds 20 percent
                                    of such allotment for the prior program
                                    year.
                                        ``(III) Reallotment.--In making
                                    reallotments to eligible States of
                                    amounts available pursuant to subclause
                                    (II) for a program year, the Secretary
                                    shall allot to each eligible State an
                                    amount based on the relative amount of
                                    the State allotment for the program
                                    year for which the determination is
                                    made, as compared to the total amount
                                    of the State allotments for all
                                    eligible States for such program year.
                                        ``(IV) Eligibility.--For purposes
                                    of this subsection, an `eligible State'
                                    means a State that does not have an
                                    amount available for reallotment under
                                    subclause (II) for the program year for
                                    which the determination under subclause
                                    (II) is made.
                        ``(C) Within state allocations.--
                                ``(i) In general.--The Governor shall
                            allocate the funds allotted to the State under
                            subparagraph (B) for a fiscal year to the local
                            areas in the State on the following basis:
                                        ``(I) 33 and \1/3\ percent of the
                                    funds on the basis described in
                                    subparagraph (B)(ii)(I).
                                        ``(II) 33 and \1/3\ percent of the
                                    funds on the basis described in
                                    subparagraph (B)(ii)(II).
                                        ``(III) 33 and \1/3\ percent of the
                                    funds on the basis described in
                                    subparagraph (B)(ii)(III).
                                ``(ii) Application.--For purposes of
                            carrying out clause (i)--
                                        ``(I) references in subparagraph
                                    (B)(ii) to a State shall be deemed to
                                    be references to a local area; and
                                        ``(II) references in subparagraph
                                    (B)(ii) to all States shall be deemed
                                    to be references to all local areas in
                                    the State involved.
                                ``(iii) Reallocation among local areas.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--The Governor
                                    may, in accordance with this clause and
                                    after consultation with the State
                                    board, reallocate to eligible local
                                    areas within the State amounts that are
                                    made available to local areas from
                                    allocations made under this
                                    subparagraph (referred to individually
                                    in this subsection as a `local
                                    allocation') and that are available for
                                    reallocation.
                                        ``(II) Amount.--The amount
                                    available for reallocation for a
                                    program year is equal to the amount by
                                    which the unobligated balance of the
                                    local allocation, at the end of the
                                    program year prior to the program year
                                    for which the determination under this
                                    subclause is made, exceeds 20 percent
                                    of such allocation for the prior
                                    program year.
                                        ``(III) Reallocation.--In making
                                    reallocations to eligible local areas
                                    of amounts available pursuant to
                                    subclause (II) for a program year, the
                                    Governor shall allocate to each
                                    eligible local area within the State an
                                    amount based on the relative amount of
                                    the local allocation for the program
                                    year for which the determination is
                                    made, as compared to the total amount
                                    of the local allocations for all
                                    eligible local areas in the State for
                                    such program year.
                                        ``(IV) Eligibility.--For purposes
                                    of this subsection, an eligible local
                                    area means a local area that does not
                                    have an amount available for
                                    reallotment under subclause (II) for
                                    the program year for which the
                                    determination under subclause (II) is
                                    made.
                ``(2) Use of funds.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Funds allocated pursuant to
                    paragraph (1) to a local area shall be used to pay,
                    through the use of an individual training account in
                    accordance with section 134(c)(3)(F)(iii) of the
                    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3174(c)(3)(F)(iii)), an eligible provider of training
                    services from the list of eligible providers of
                    training services described in section 122(d) of such
                    Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d)) for training services provided
                    to eligible dislocated workers in the local area.
                        ``(B) Requirements for local areas.--As a condition
                    of receipt of funds under paragraph (1), a local area
                    shall agree to each of the following:
                                ``(i) Required notice to workers.--Prior to
                            an eligible dislocated worker selecting a
                            program of training services from the list of
                            eligible providers of training services under
                            section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and
                            Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d)), the local
                            area shall inform such dislocated worker of any
                            opportunities the dislocated worker may have to
                            participate in on-the-job training or employer-
                            directed skills development funded through such
                            local area.
                                ``(ii) Amounts available.--Except as
                            provided in clause (iv)(II), a local area--
                                        ``(I) may not limit the maximum
                                    amount available for an individual
                                    training account for an eligible
                                    dislocated worker under subparagraph
                                    (A) to an amount that is less than
                                    $5,000; and
                                        ``(II) may not pay an amount,
                                    through the use of an individual
                                    training account under subparagraph
                                    (A), for training services provided to
                                    an eligible dislocated worker that
                                    exceeds the costs of such services.
                                ``(iii) WIOA funds.--A local area may not
                            use funds made available to the local area for
                            a fiscal year pursuant to section 134(c)(1)(B)
                            of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
                            (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(1)(B)) to make payments
                            under subparagraph (A) until the funds
                            allocated to the local area pursuant to
                            paragraph (1) of this subsection for such
                            fiscal year have been exhausted.
                                ``(iv) Exhaustion of allocations.--Upon the
                            exhaustion of the funds allocated to the local
                            area pursuant to paragraph (1) of this
                            subsection, for the purpose of paying, through
                            the use of individual training accounts under
                            subparagraph (A), the costs of training
                            services for eligible dislocated workers in the
                            local area seeking such services, the local
                            area--
                                        ``(I) shall use any funds made
                                    available to the local area pursuant to
                                    section 134(c)(1)(B) of the Workforce
                                    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
                                    U.S.C. 3174(c)(1)(B)) to pay for such
                                    costs under subparagraph (A) (other
                                    than any costs that exceed the limit
                                    set by the local area pursuant to
                                    clause (ii) or subclause (II)); and
                                        ``(II) for any eligible dislocated
                                    worker who is not a low-income
                                    individual, may limit the maximum
                                    amount available for the individual
                                    training account under subparagraph (A)
                                    for such worker to an amount that is
                                    less than $5,000.
                ``(3) Eligible dislocated worker.--A dislocated worker
            shall be an eligible dislocated worker for purposes of this
            subsection if the dislocated worker--
                        ``(A) meets the requirements under section
                    134(c)(3)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation and
                    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)(A)(i)) to be
                    eligible for training services; and
                        ``(B) has not received training services through an
                    individual training account under this subsection or
                    under section 134(c)(3)(F)(iii) of the Workforce
                    Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3174(c)(3)(F)(iii)) during the preceding 5-year period
                    or, if such a worker has received such training
                    services during such period, the worker has been
                    granted an exception by the local area due to an
                    exceptional circumstance, as determined by the local
                    area.
                ``(4) Excess demand.--Upon the exhaustion of the funds
            allocated to a local area pursuant to paragraph (1) of this
            subsection and any funds that may be available to such local
            area pursuant to section 134(c)(1)(B) of the Workforce
            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(1)(B)) for
            the purpose described in paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection,
            the local area--
                        ``(A) may request additional funds for such purpose
                    from the Governor under section 134(a)(2)(A)(i)(III) of
                    the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3174(a)(2)(A)(i)(III)); and
                        ``(B) shall not be required to pay for training
                    services or establish an individual training account
                    for an eligible dislocated worker.
                ``(5) Definitions.--Except as otherwise specified, a term
            used in this subsection shall have the meaning given such term
            in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
            (29 U.S.C. 3102).
                ``(6) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
            shall be construed to provide an individual with an entitlement
            to a service under this subsection or under title I of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et
            seq.) or to mandate a State or local area to provide a service
            if Federal funds are not available for such service.''.

    SEC. 303. ACCESS TO NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW HIRES.

        Section 453(j)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)(8))
    is amended--
                (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                        (A) by inserting ``or conducting the reporting and
                    evaluation activities required under section 116 of the
                    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                    3141)'' after ``State law''; and
                        (B) by striking ``such program'' and inserting
                    ``such programs''; and
                (2) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``purposes of
            administering a program referred to'' and inserting ``the
            purposes specified''.

    SEC. 304. REFERENCES TO OTHER LAWS.

        (a) References to Provisions of the Workforce Innovation and
    Opportunity Act.--
                (1) Section 8041(g)(2)(C) of the SUPPORT for Patients and
            Communities Act (29 U.S.C. 3225a(g)(2)(C)) is amended by
            striking ``section 172(f) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3227(f))'' and
            inserting ``section 175(h) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3227(h))''.
                (2) Section 60302(23) of the Digital Equity Act of 2021 (47
            U.S.C. 1721(23)) is amended by striking ``section 3(66) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(66))''
            and inserting ``section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
            Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)''.
        (b) Related Provisions.--
                (1) Section 286(s)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality
            Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(2)) is amended by striking
            ``demonstration programs and projects'' and inserting ``the
            programs, activities, and uses''.
                (2) Section 1154 of title 10, United States Code, is
            amended--
                        (A) in paragraphs (2)(C) and (3)(D) of subsection
                    (a), by striking ``Job Corps center as defined'' and
                    inserting ``Job Corps campus as described'';
                        (B) in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii), by striking ``Job
                    Corps centers'' and inserting ``Job Corps campuses'';
                    and
                        (C) in subsection (e)(2)(E), by striking ``Job
                    Corps center'' and inserting ``Job Corps campus''.

               TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

    SEC. 401. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR TRANSFORMING TO COMPETITIVE
                  INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT.

        (a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection
    (c), the Secretary (acting through the Office of Disability Employment
    Policy in partnership with the Employment and Training Administration),
    in partnership with the Administration for Community Living of the
    Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Special
    Education and Rehabilitative Services of the Department of Education,
    shall establish a Center for Technical Assistance for Transforming to
    Competitive Integrated Employment to--
                (1) provide technical assistance to employers who are
            transitioning from employing individuals with disabilities
            using special certificates on such transition, which shall
            include technical assistance on providing services that result
            in competitive integrated employment;
                (2) provide technical assistance to State agencies seeking
            to support such employers described in paragraph (1) on such
            transition described in paragraph (1) on coordination and
            alignment of services and funding in support of such
            transition, including technical assistance on how such services
            and funding can result in competitive integrated employment;
                (3) in providing the technical assistance describing in
            paragraphs (1) and (2), coordinate such technical assistance
            with education materials and opportunities made available
            through existing technical assistance provided by--
                        (A) the Office of Disability Employment Policy;
                        (B) the Employment and Training Administration;
                        (C) the Administration for Community Living of the
                    Department of Health and Human Services; and
                        (D) the Office of Special Education and
                    Rehabilitative Services of the Department of Education;
                    and
                (4) in providing the technical assistance described in
            paragraphs (1) and (2), make use of technical assistance that
            is in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, including
            the CIE Transformation Hub, the Advancing State Policy
            Integration for Recovery and Employment Initiative, and the
            National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network.
        (b) Definitions.--In this section:
                (1) Competitive integrated employment.--The term
            ``competitive integrated employment'' has the meaning given the
            term in section 7(5) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
            U.S.C. 705(5)).
                (2) Disability.--The term ``disability'' includes any
            intellectual, developmental, mental health, or other
            disability.
                (3) Individuals with disabilities.--The term ``individuals
            with disabilities'' means individuals described in section
            14(c)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
            214(c)(1)).
                (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
            of Labor.
                (5) Special certificate.--The term ``special certificate''
            means a special certificate issued under section 14(c) of the
            Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)).
                (6) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States,
            the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and
            the territory of Guam.

                          TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    SEC. 501. REPORT ON DATA CAPABILITY AND INTEROPERABILITY OF FEDERAL AND
                  STATE DATABASES AND DATA EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS.

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

    ``SEC. 505. REPORT ON DATA CAPABILITY AND INTEROPERABILITY OF FEDERAL
                  AND STATE DATABASES AND DATA EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS.

        ``(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States
    shall prepare and submit an interim report and a final report to
    Congress regarding existing Federal and State databases and data
    exchange agreements, as of the date of the report, and the
    interoperability of data in such databases and agreements, that contain
    job training information relevant to the administration of programs
    authorized under this Act (as amended by the A Stronger Workforce for
    America Act of 2026) and the amendments made by this Act (as so
    amended).
        ``(b) Requirements.--The report required under subsection (a)
    shall--
                ``(1) list existing Federal and State databases and data
            exchange agreements described in subsection (a) and, for each,
            describe--
                        ``(A) the purposes of the database or agreement;
                        ``(B) the data elements, such as wage and
                    employment outcomes, contained in the database or
                    accessible under the agreement;
                        ``(C) the data elements described in subparagraph
                    (B) that are shared between States;
                        ``(D) the Federal and State workforce training
                    programs from which each Federal and State database
                    derives the data elements described in subparagraph
                    (B);
                        ``(E) the number and type of common data elements
                    across such databases and data exchange agreements;
                        ``(F) the number and type of Federal and State
                    agencies having access to such data;
                        ``(G) the number and type of private research
                    organizations having access to, through grants,
                    contracts, or other agreements, such data;
                        ``(H) whether the database or data exchange
                    agreement provides for opt-out procedures for
                    individuals whose data is shared through the database
                    or data exchange agreement; and
                        ``(I) the volume of data being shared and applied
                    to improve performance accountability and effectiveness
                    of programs under this Act;
                ``(2) study the effects that access by State workforce
            agencies and the Secretary of Labor to the databases and data
            exchange agreements described in subsection (a) would have on
            efforts to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this
            Act, and on individual privacy;
                ``(3) explore opportunities to enhance--
                        ``(A) the quality, reliability, timeliness, and
                    reporting frequency of the data included in such
                    databases and data exchange agreements; and
                        ``(B) the commonality and interoperability of data
                    elements included in such databases and data exchange
                    agreements;
                ``(4) describe, for each database or data exchange
            agreement considered by the study described in subsection (a),
            the number of individuals whose data is contained in each
            database or accessible through the data agreement, and the
            specific data elements contained in each that could be used to
            personally identify an individual;
                ``(5) include the number of data breaches having occurred
            since 2014 to data systems administered by Federal and State
            agencies;
                ``(6) include the number of data breaches regarding any
            type of personal data having occurred since 2014 to private
            research organizations with whom Federal and State agencies
            contract for studies;
                ``(7) include a survey of the security protocols used for
            protecting personal data, including best practices shared
            amongst States for access to, and administration of, data
            elements stored and recommendations for improving security
            protocols for the safe warehousing of data elements;
                ``(8) include an evaluation of the State wage interchange
            system developed by the Department of Labor and report on the
            effectiveness of the system in facilitating data exchange
            between State agencies for the purpose of assessing and
            reporting on State and local performance for the programs
            authorized under this Act;
                ``(9) include an assessment of the feasibility, costs, and
            potential impacts of establishing federally-designated,
            transparent, interoperable, and nonproprietary data exchange
            standards using human readable and machine actionable data
            formats for necessary categories of information that a State
            agency operating a program under this Act may receive through
            each database or data exchange agreement described in
            subsection (a);
                ``(10) include a survey of--
                        ``(A) customer service and outcome management
                    systems utilized by States for programs under each
                    title of this Act;
                        ``(B) the level of interoperability (if any) of
                    such systems;
                        ``(C) whether any State has successfully connected
                    such a system serving a program under a title of this
                    Act with such a system serving a program under another
                    title of this Act; and
                        ``(D) the benefits achieved through any such
                    connection; and
                ``(11) describe the most significant developments and
            advancements pertaining to Federal and State databases and data
            exchange agreements described in subsection (a) since the final
            report was submitted by the Comptroller General to Congress
            under this section, as in effect on the day before the date of
            enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.
        ``(c) Timing of Reports.--
                ``(1) Interim report.--Not later than 18 months after the
            date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act
            of 2026, the Comptroller General shall prepare and submit to
            Congress an interim report regarding the initial findings of
            the report required under this section.
                ``(2) Final report.--Not later than 2 years after the date
            of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of
            2026, the Comptroller General shall prepare and submit to
            Congress the final report required under this section.''.

    SEC. 502. EFFECTIVE DATES; TRANSITION AUTHORITY.

        (a) Effective Dates.--
                (1) In general.--This Act, and the amendments made by this
            Act, shall take effect on the first day of the first full
            program year after the date of enactment of this Act, except as
            otherwise provided in this Act.
                (2) Performance accountability system.--The amendments made
            to section 116 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
            (29 U.S.C. 3141) by this Act shall take effect on the first day
            of the second full program year after the date of enactment of
            this Act, except that--
                        (A) the amendments to clauses (iii) through (v) of
                    subsection (b)(3)(A) of that section 116 shall take
                    effect on January 1, 2027; and
                        (B) the amendment to paragraph (1) of subsection
                    (d) of that section 116, the amendments to subsections
                    (i) and (j) of that section 116 that are made by
                    section 119(g) of this Act, and the amendment to
                    subsection (k) of that section 116, shall take effect
                    on the day that is 1 year after the date of enactment
                    of this Act.
                (3) One-stop delivery system.--The amendments made to
            section 121 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
            U.S.C. 3151) by this Act shall take effect on the first day of
            the second full program year after the date of enactment of
            this Act.
                (4) Youth workforce investment activities.--The amendments
            made to section 129 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
            Act (29 U.S.C. 3164) by this Act shall take effect on the first
            day of the second full program year after the date of enactment
            of this Act.
                (5) Adult and dislocated worker activities.--The amendments
            made to section 134 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
            Act (29 U.S.C. 3174) by this Act shall take effect on the first
            day of the second full program year after the date of enactment
            of this Act.
                (6) Job corps management information requirements.--The
            amendments made to section 159 of the Workforce Innovation and
            Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3209) by this Act shall take effect
            on the first day of the second full program year after the date
            of enactment of this Act.
        (b) Transition Authority.--
                (1) In general.--Pursuant to section 503(a) of the
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3343(a)),
            the Secretary of Labor shall, effective on the date of
            enactment of this Act, have the authority to take such steps as
            are necessary to provide for the orderly implementation of the
            amendments to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
            U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) by this Act, including addressing cross
            references to provisions specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
            of subsection (a)(2).
                (2) Termination.--The authority described in paragraph (1)
            shall terminate on the first day of the second full program
            year after the date of enactment of this Act.
        (c) Transition Period for Implementation.--
                (1) Eligible providers of training services.--Each Governor
            and local board shall implement the requirements of section 122
            of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
            3152), as amended by this Act, not later than the first day of
            the second full program year after the date of enactment of
            this Act. In order to facilitate early implementation of that
            section 122, the Governor may establish transition procedures
            under which eligible providers of training services under
            chapter 1 of subtitle B of title I of the Workforce Innovation
            and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151 et seq.), as such chapter
            was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this
            Act, may continue to be eligible to provide such services until
            December 31, 2027, or until such earlier date as the Governor
            determines to be appropriate.
                (2) State plans and local plans.--
                        (A) Modification of plans.--Not later than the
                    first day of the second full program year after the
                    date of enactment of this Act--
                                (i) each Governor of a State shall submit
                            to the Secretary of Labor any modifications to
                            the State plan in effect for such State that
                            are necessary for the State plan to comply with
                            the amendments made by this Act to section 102
                            of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
                            (29 U.S.C. 3112); and
                                (ii) each local board shall submit to the
                            Governor of a State any modifications to the
                            local plan in effect for the local area served
                            by the local board that are necessary for the
                            local plan to comply with the amendments made
                            by this Act to section 108 of the Workforce
                            Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
                            3123).
                        (B) New plans.--Not later than the first day of the
                    fourth full program year after the date of enactment of
                    this Act--
                                (i) each Governor of a State shall submit
                            to the Secretary of Labor a new State plan for
                            such State that complies with the requirements
                            of section 102 of the Workforce Innovation and
                            Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112), as amended by
                            this Act; and
                                (ii) each local board shall submit to the
                            Governor of a State a new local plan for the
                            local area served by the local board that
                            complies with the requirements of section 108
                            of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
                            (29 U.S.C. 3123), as amended by this Act.
                (3) Definitions.--In this subsection, the terms ``local
            board'', ``local plan'', ``State'', ``State plan'', and
            ``training services'' have the meanings given the terms in
            section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
            U.S.C. 3102).
        (d) Conforming Amendments.--
                (1) Repeal.--Subsections (a) through (e) of section 503 of
            the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3343)
            are repealed.
                (2) Regulations.--Section 503 of such Act is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as
                    subsections (a) and (b), respectively;
                        (B) by amending subsection (a), as so redesignated,
                    to read as follows:
        ``(a) Regulations.--
                ``(1) Proposed regulations.--Not later than 180 days after
            the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America
            Act of 2026, the Secretary shall develop and publish in the
            Federal Register proposed regulations relating to the
            transition to, and implementation of, the A Stronger Workforce
            for America Act of 2026, including the amendments to this Act
            made by the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.
                ``(2) Final regulations.--Not later than 12 months after
            the date of enactment of the A Stronger Workforce for America
            Act of 2026, the Secretary shall develop and publish in the
            Federal Register final regulations relating to the transition
            to, and implementation of, the A Stronger Workforce for America
            Act of 2026, including the amendments to this Act made by the A
            Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026.''; and
                        (C) in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by
                    striking ``subsection (f)'' and inserting ``subsection
                    (a)''.
                (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
            shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
                                     <all>