text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Helping Individuals Return to 
  Employment Act'' or the ``HIRE Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT GRANTS.
  
      (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Labor is authorized to 
  award competitive grants for the hiring of unemployed individuals to 
  perform work to benefit communities, under terms and conditions set 
  forth in this section.
      (b) Eligible Entities.--Grants under this section may be awarded to 
  any of the following entities in the areas described in subsection (c):
              (1) Units of local government.
              (2) Workforce investment boards, established pursuant to 
          section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
          2832).
              (3) Non-profit organizations described in section 501(c)(3) 
          of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)).
      (c) Targeted Communities.--Grants under this section may be awarded 
  to eligible entities located in or primarily serving in one of the 
  following areas, if the unemployment rate in such area is higher than 7 
  percent during the 3-month period preceding the award of the grant:
              (1) A renewal community with respect to which a designation 
          was in effect under section 1400E(a) of the Internal Revenue 
          Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1400E(a)) on December 31, 2009.
              (2) An empowerment zone designated under section 1391 of 
          such Code.
              (3) A historically underutilized business zone designated 
          under section 3(p)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
          632(p)(1)).
      (d) Individuals Eligible for Employment.--Grants awarded under this 
  section shall be used to hire unemployed individuals residing in the 
  areas described in subsection (c), including individuals age 16 and 
  older, with priority going to individuals who have been unemployed for 
  more than a year.
      (e) Limitations.--
              (1) Union consultation.--No individual whose employment is 
          funded under a grant authorized under this Act may work for an 
          employer at which a collective bargaining agreement is in 
          effect covering the same or similar work, unless--
                      (A) the consent of the labor organization at such 
                  employer is obtained; and
                      (B) negotiations have taken place between such 
                  labor organization and the employer as to the terms and 
                  conditions of such employment.
              (2) Nondisplacement.--An individual whose employment is 
          funded under this Act may not displace other employees whose 
          employment is not funded under this Act. A grant recipient 
          under this Act may not hire an employee or employees with funds 
          under this Act for any employment which the grant recipient 
          would otherwise hire an employee who has been furloughed.
      (f) Effect on Unemployment Compensation.--The amount of any 
  unemployment compensation payable to an individual employed under a 
  grant established by this Act is a pro rata portion of the unemployment 
  compensation which would otherwise be payable to the employee if such 
  employee were totally unemployed.
      (g) Consultation Requirement.--An eligible entity that receives a 
  grant under this Act shall consult with community leaders, including 
  small business owners, labor organizations, and local residents to 
  assess the needs of the community to determine the qualifying 
  activities for which individuals will be hired.
      (h) Qualifying Activities.--Individuals hired using grant funds 
  awarded under this section shall be employed for a minimum of 20 hours 
  per week only in activities that benefit the community in the areas 
  described in subsection (c), including activities such as public works, 
  beautification, historic restoration, tutoring, and adult education. In 
  addition, where an eligible entity determines appropriate, a portion of 
  the grant funds may be used to ensure the safety of employees hired 
  under the grant and provide necessary job training.
      (i) Federal Share.--Funds awarded under this section shall 
  supplement, not supplant, funds of the eligible entity that are used 
  for such purposes.
      (j) Application.--Eligible entities seeking a grant under this 
  section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
  such form, and containing such information and assurances as the 
  Secretary may require.
      (k) Required Deadline for Hiring.--An eligible entity receiving a 
  grant under this section shall--
              (1) determine the number of individuals that may be hired 
          for a 3-year period using both grant funds and local funds 
          available for such purpose; and
              (2) hire such individuals within 60 days after receiving a 
          grant.
      (l) Regulations.--The Secretary of Labor may promulgate regulations 
  necessary to implement the grant program authorized by this Act, 
  including any necessary regulations necessary to apply wage and labor 
  protections to individuals employed under a grant.
      (m) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Secretary of Labor such sums as may be necessary to 
  carry out this section.
target: Helping Individuals Return to Employment Act or HIRE Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award competitive grants to eligible entities to hire unemployed individuals age 16 and older to perform a minimum of 20 hours per week of work to benefit certain communities, including activities such as public works, beautification, historic restoration, tutoring, and adult education.
  
  Restricts such grants to eligible entities located in or primarily serving in a community designated either as a renewal community, an empowerment zone, or a historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone), if the unemployment rate in the area is higher than 7% during the 3-month period preceding award of the grant.
  
  Requires that priority in the award of grants be given to individuals who have been unemployed for more than a year.
  
  Prescribes certain grant limitations.
feat_title: To authorize the Secretary of Labor to award grants for the employment of individuals in targeted communities to perform work for the benefit of such communities.