Working On Rewarding and Keeping Employees Resilient Act or the WORKER Act
This bill addresses workforce development by advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, revising and implementing certain worker training, retention, and advancement programs, establishing the Distressed Community Investment Agency, and renaming the Department of Commerce as the Department of Innovation and Investment.
The bill requires (1) the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to eligible entities to implement certain formal and informal engineering education programs in elementary and secondary schools, and (2) the use of certain career and technical education program funds for supporting a hands-on learning approach.
The bill establishes in the Department of Labor an Office of Apprenticeship, including a National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships, to promote apprenticeship programs.
Labor and ED must establish a voluntary Registered Apprenticeship-College Collaborative consisting of the sponsors carrying out registered apprenticeship programs, two- or four-year post secondary educational institutions, and organizations that represent such programs or institutions.
The bill requires states to provide a Labor-approved reemployment bonus program for individuals currently receiving unemployment benefits. It also allows states to use workforce development funds for a wage insurance program for individuals age 50 and over (age 45 and over for individuals in economically distressed communities) and establishes a training voucher program to assist workers in obtaining job skills training.
To advance STEM education, provide for improved worker training, 
          retention, and advancement, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Working On Rewarding and Keeping 
Employees Resilient Act'' or the ``WORKER Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
                   TITLE I--ADVANCING STEM EDUCATION

    Subtitle A--Expansion of Engineering Programs at Elementary and 
                           Secondary Schools

Sec. 101. Grant program.
Sec. 102. Table of contents.
        Subtitle B--Expansion of Maker Education and Makerspaces

Sec. 110. Definitions.
Sec. 111. Local uses of funds.
Sec. 112. Effective date.
         TITLE II--WORKER TRAINING, RETENTION, AND ADVANCEMENT

 Subtitle A--Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships To Rebuild National 
                                 Skills

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
              Part 1--Promoting Registered Apprenticeships

Sec. 211. Promoting registered apprenticeship programs.
Sec. 212. Promoting integration with postsecondary education.
              Part 2--Program Development and Enhancement

Sec. 221. Expanding registered apprenticeship programs.
                        Subtitle B--Reemployment

Sec. 231. Requirement to provide reemployment bonus program under State 
                            unemployment compensation law.
Sec. 232. Coordinating State unemployment compensation programs with 
                            the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
                            Act.
Sec. 233. Permissible use of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
                            funds for wage insurance.
Sec. 234. Training vouchers.
Sec. 235. Authorization of appropriations.
 TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DISTRESSED COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AGENCY

Sec. 301. Definitions.
Sec. 302. Distressed Community Investment Agency.
Sec. 303. Redesignation of Department of Commerce to Department of 
                            Innovation and Investment.
Sec. 304. Redesignation of Secretary of Commerce to Secretary of 
                            Innovation and Investment.
               TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.

                   TITLE I--ADVANCING STEM EDUCATION

    Subtitle A--Expansion of Engineering Programs at Elementary and 
                           Secondary Schools

SEC. 101. GRANT PROGRAM.

    Part F of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7251 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 4601--
                    (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
                paragraph (1), by inserting ``(other than subpart 5)'' 
                before ``part''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations for Subpart 5.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out subpart 5--
            ``(1) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; 
        and
            ``(2) $21,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 and 
        2025.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

                   ``Subpart 5--Engineering Education

``SEC. 4651. GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) In General.--From amounts appropriated under section 4601(c), 
the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
entities to implement formal and informal engineering education 
programs in elementary schools and secondary schools to--
            ``(1) teach students the overall analytical and 
        experimental approaches used in engineering and engineering 
        technology; and
            ``(2) increase participation of under-represented student 
        groups in the engineering and engineering technology pipeline.
    ``(b) Maximum Grant Amount.--A grant awarded under this subpart may 
not exceed $1,000,000.
    ``(c) Matching Funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under 
this subpart shall provide non-Federal funds in amount equal to the 
grant amount. Such non-Federal funds may include in-kind support (such 
as equipment, supplies, materials, and participation of personnel in 
the development and implementation of activities to be carried out 
under the grant).
    ``(d) Uses of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant 
        under this subpart shall use such funds to carry out a program 
        that--
                    ``(A) provides engineering instructional materials 
                based on review and analysis of the effectiveness of 
                existing formal, or informal research-based and 
                evidenced-based locally relevant instructional 
                materials;
                    ``(B) provides professional development for pre-
                service and in-service teachers to teach engineering;
                    ``(C) provides instructions on engineering and 
                engineering technology during normal classroom hours or 
                after school;
                    ``(D) incorporates evidence-based practices to 
                increase diversity of student groups participating in 
                the program;
                    ``(E) encourages participation of engineers from 
                local private and public organizations to mentor the 
                teachers and students; and
                    ``(F) encourages engineering faculty and students 
                from institutions of higher education as mentors for 
                the elementary school or secondary school students, and 
                teachers as appropriate.
            ``(2) Public-private partnerships.--Each eligible entity 
        awarded a grant under this subpart shall be encouraged to carry 
        out the program funded under the grant in partnership with one 
        or more of the following:
                    ``(A) Elementary schools or secondary schools 
                receiving assistance under this subpart.
                    ``(B) Institutions of higher education.
                    ``(C) Private sector businesses.
                    ``(D) Nonprofit organizations.
                    ``(E) Community-based organizations.
                    ``(F) Public or private entities with demonstrated 
                record of success in delivering educational support.
                    ``(G) Summer school programs.
    ``(e) Applications.--An application for a grant under this subpart 
submitted by an eligible entity shall demonstrate long-term commitment 
for the proposed program through--
            ``(1) providing laboratory and instructional space;
            ``(2) establishing ongoing professional training programs 
        for pre-service and in-service teachers and teachers in-
        residence; and
            ``(3) commitment to scaling successful programs for 
        engineering and engineering technology education in elementary 
        schools and secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the 
        eligible entity.
    ``(f) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subpart, the 
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that serve under-
represented minorities in engineering.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) a consortia of local educational agencies; or
                    ``(B) a local educational agency that is not 
                receiving a subgrant under this subpart for the fiscal 
                year for which the agency is applying for a grant under 
                this subpart.
            ``(2) Instructional materials.--The term `instructional 
        materials' means materials that--
                    ``(A) emphasize--
                            ``(i) engineering fundamentals and 
                        concepts, problem-based learning; and
                            ``(ii) essential skills such as systems 
                        thinking, creativity, teamwork, communication, 
                        and ethical considerations;
                    ``(B) are designed to introduce students to modern 
                engineering and engineering technology tools such as 
                computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, 
                statistical analysis, codes and standards, human 
                factors, and reliability analysis; and
                    ``(C) are aligned with and integrated into relevant 
                science, engineering, and mathematics standards that 
                may exist in the applicable State or may be developed.

``SEC. 4652. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    ``Not later than 1 year after the first grant is awarded under this 
subpart, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a report 
to Congress on activities and results under this subpart. Such reports 
shall describe--
            ``(1) the total number of grant applications received for 
        the preceding each year;
            ``(2) the number and geographic distribution of the grants 
        for such year and for all grants awarded under this subpart;
            ``(3) participation of minority-serving institutions of 
        higher education, such as historically Black colleges and 
        universities and Hispanic-serving institutions;
            ``(4) participation of under-represented and economically 
        disadvantaged student groups;
            ``(5) plans for collaboration among eligible entities 
        receiving a grant under this subpart;
            ``(6) overall program outcomes and issues of concern; and
            ``(7) recommendations for program revisions to achieve the 
        desired program outcome.''.

SEC. 102. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 4644 the following:

                   ``subpart 5--engineering education

``4651. Grant program authorized.
``4652. Annual report to Congress.''.

        Subtitle B--Expansion of Maker Education and Makerspaces

SEC. 110. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 
of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(56) Maker education.--The term `maker education' means a 
        hands-on learning approach that encourages students to imagine, 
        create, innovate, tinker, and collaborate through the process 
        of manufacturing, testing, and demonstrating their ideas.
            ``(57) Makerspace.--The term `makerspace' means a community 
        space that provides access to tools, technology, and knowledge 
        for learners and entrepreneurs, that result in the prototyping 
        or creation of physical goods, and which supports the 
        development of educational opportunities for personal growth, 
        workforce training, and early stage business ventures.''.

SEC. 111. LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.

    Section 135(b)(2)(I) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2355(b)(2)(I)) is amended by inserting 
``, the application of maker education,'' after ``makerspaces''.

SEC. 112. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect on July 1, 
2021, and as if enacted as part of the Strengthening Career and 
Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.

         TITLE II--WORKER TRAINING, RETENTION, AND ADVANCEMENT

 Subtitle A--Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships To Rebuild National 
                                 Skills

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Leveraging Effective 
Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills Act'' or the ``LEARNS Act''.

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship appointed under 
        section 211(a).
            (2) Career pathway.--The term ``career pathway'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation 
        and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (3) Educational service agency.--The term ``educational 
        service agency''--
                    (A) has the meaning given the term in section 8101 
                of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 7801); and
                    (B) includes a collaborative of those agencies.
            (4) High school.--The term ``high school'' means a 
        nonprofit institutional day or residential school that--
                    (A) provides secondary education, as determined 
                under State law;
                    (B) grants a diploma, as defined by the State; and
                    (C) includes, at least, grade 12.
            (5) In-demand industry sector or occupation.--The term 
        ``in-demand industry sector or occupation'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (6) Local and state workforce development boards.--The 
        terms ``local workforce development board'' and ``State 
        workforce development board'' have the meanings given the terms 
        ``local board'' and ``State board'', respectively, in section 3 
        of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3102).
            (7) National apprenticeship system.--The term ``national 
        apprenticeship system'' means the collective group of 
        registered apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship 
        programs in the Nation (including the rules and regulations 
        governing the 2 types of programs).
            (8) Postsecondary educational institution.--The term 
        ``postsecondary educational institution'' means an institution 
        of higher education, as defined in section 102 of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
            (9) Pre-apprenticeship program.--The term ``pre-
        apprenticeship program'' means a program or set of strategies 
        that--
                    (A) is designed to prepare individuals to enter and 
                succeed in a registered apprenticeship program;
                    (B) is carried out by an eligible entity described 
                in section 211(b)(2)(C) that has an application 
                approved under section 211(b)(3) and that has a 
                documented partnership with at least 1 sponsor of a 
                registered apprenticeship program; and
                    (C) includes each of the following elements:
                            (i) Training (including a curriculum for 
                        the training), aligned with industry standards 
                        and reviewed and approved annually by sponsors 
                        of the registered apprenticeships within the 
                        documented partnership, that will prepare 
                        individuals by teaching the skills and 
                        competencies needed to enter one or more 
                        registered apprenticeship programs.
                            (ii) Provision of hands-on training and 
                        theoretical education to individuals that--
                                    (I) accurately simulates the 
                                industry and occupational conditions of 
                                the registered apprenticeship program 
                                described in subparagraph (B);
                                    (II) is carried out in a manner 
                                that includes proper observation of 
                                supervision and safety protocols; and
                                    (III) is carried out in a manner 
                                that does not displace a paid employee.
                            (iii) A formal agreement with a sponsor of 
                        a registered apprenticeship program that would 
                        enable participants who successfully complete 
                        the pre-apprenticeship program to enter 
                        directly into the registered apprenticeship 
                        program (if a place in the program is 
                        available), and includes agreements concerning 
                        earning credit recognized by a postsecondary 
                        educational institution for skills and 
                        competencies acquired during the pre-
                        apprenticeship program.
            (10) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        ``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (11) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term 
        ``registered apprenticeship program'' means a program 
        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.).
            (12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor, acting through the Administrator.
            (13) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means an employer, 
        joint labor-management partnership, trade association, 
        professional association, labor organization, or other entity 
        that administers a registered apprenticeship program.

              PART 1--PROMOTING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS

SEC. 211. PROMOTING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    (a) Establishment of the Office of Apprenticeship.--
            (1) Office.--There is established, in the Employment and 
        Training Administration of the Department of Labor, an Office 
        of Apprenticeship.
            (2) Administrator.--The Office shall be headed by an 
        Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship appointed by the 
        Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training. The Assistant 
        Secretary shall appoint an individual who has the demonstrated 
        knowledge of registered apprenticeship programs necessary to 
        serve as the Administrator.
            (3) Responsibilities.--The Administrator, through the 
        Office of Apprenticeship, shall carry out responsibilities 
        including--
                    (A) determining whether an apprenticeship program 
                meets the requirements to become a registered 
                apprenticeship program and maintains the standards 
                necessary to remain a registered apprenticeship 
                program;
                    (B) managing the national apprenticeship system;
                    (C) carrying out activities under subsection (b) to 
                promote effective pre-apprenticeship programs;
                    (D) promoting awareness about registered 
                apprenticeship programs, including carrying out 
                activities under subsection (c);
                    (E) engaging in regular updates of the registration 
                process, ensuring that such process is easily 
                accessible and efficient for use by sponsors of 
                registered apprenticeship programs;
                    (F) regularly engaging with the National Advisory 
                Committee on Apprenticeships and ensure that the 
                required reports of the Committee are submitted to the 
                Secretary and transmitted to Congress;
                    (G) promoting greater diversity in registered 
                apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship 
                programs, including by promoting outreach to 
                underrepresented populations, youth, and veterans and 
                supporting the development of apprenticeship models;
                    (H) providing for evaluations and research, as 
                described in subsection (e);
                    (I) providing technical assistance to sponsors of 
                registered apprenticeship programs, entities who are 
                interested in developing and becoming sponsors of 
                registered apprenticeship programs, and eligible 
                entities carrying out pre-apprenticeship programs; and
                    (J) coordinating and aligning registered 
                apprenticeship programs with other Federal education 
                and training programs, including those authorized under 
                the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3101 et seq.) and the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
                seq.).
    (b) Supporting the Development of Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.--
            (1) Support.--The Secretary shall support the development 
        of pre-apprenticeship programs.
            (2) Grants.--
                    (A) In general.--Using funds available under 
                subsection (f), the Secretary shall make grants on a 
                competitive basis to eligible entities to provide the 
                Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects that 
                support that development.
                    (B) Period.--The Secretary shall make initial 
                grants under this paragraph for periods of not more 
                than 3 years, except that if an eligible entity 
                demonstrates satisfactory performance under paragraph 
                (6) by the end of that third year, the Secretary may 
                extend the grant period up to an additional 1 year for 
                that entity.
                    (C) Eligible entity.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant from the Secretary under this subsection, an 
                entity shall be a public-private partnership consisting 
                of--
                            (i) a local educational agency, high 
                        school, area career and technical education 
                        school (as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. 
                        Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
                        2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)), educational service 
                        agency (as defined in section 8101 of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 7801)), 2- or 4-year postsecondary 
                        educational institution, or collaborative of 
                        such entities;
                            (ii) in a State with a State entity 
                        recognized by the Secretary of Labor to 
                        register apprenticeship programs in that State, 
                        that entity;
                            (iii) an industry or business, consisting 
                        of an employer, a group of employers, a trade 
                        association, a professional association, or an 
                        entity that sponsors a registered 
                        apprenticeship program;
                            (iv) a State workforce development board or 
                        local workforce development board; and
                            (v) to the maximum extent practicable--
                                    (I) a labor organization associated 
                                with the industry or occupation related 
                                to the pre-apprenticeship program 
                                involved; and
                                    (II) a community-based organization 
                                that provides pre-apprenticeship 
                                programs, as appropriate.
            (3) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant from 
        the Secretary under this subsection, an entity shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
        including--
                    (A) a description of the training and curriculum 
                described in section 203(9)(C)(i), and how the proposed 
                pre-apprenticeship program makes individuals who 
                successfully complete the pre-apprenticeship program 
                qualified to enter into an established registered 
                apprenticeship program;
                    (B) evidence that there are or will be sufficient 
                openings available in the registered apprenticeship 
                program referenced in subparagraph (A) to enable the 
                registered apprenticeship program sponsor to place into 
                a corresponding registered apprenticeship those 
                individuals who successfully complete the pre-
                apprenticeship program;
                    (C) information about the entity that demonstrates 
                the existence of an active, advisory partnership 
                between the partners described in paragraph (2)(C) and 
                the capacity, of a training and education provider in 
                the entity, to provide the training and education 
                services necessary for a pre-apprenticeship program; 
                and
                    (D) information about the proposed pre-
                apprenticeship program that demonstrates--
                            (i) that the program is in an in-demand 
                        industry or occupation in the region in which 
                        the project is located;
                            (ii) the use of integrated work-based and 
                        academic learning that may include training in 
                        the workplace;
                            (iii) the inclusion of career exploration 
                        focused activities, such as job shadowing, 
                        career information activities, and resume 
                        preparation, in the program;
                            (iv) if the entity carrying out the project 
                        includes a high school, that the model to be 
                        used for the program leads to a high school 
                        diploma for participants without such a 
                        diploma;
                            (v) how the pre-apprenticeship program is 
                        aligned with and leverages resources of career 
                        and technical education programs, programs and 
                        services authorized under the Workforce 
                        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 
                        et seq.), or activities of entities that 
                        provide supportive services for participants in 
                        pre-apprenticeship programs; and
                            (vi) that the project aligns with an 
                        established registered apprenticeship program, 
                        including that the model used for the program 
                        leads to the attainment of skills and 
                        competencies necessary for entrance into the 
                        registered apprenticeship program for 
                        participants.
            (4) Use of funds.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a 
                grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds 
                to carry out a project that implements a pre-
                apprenticeship program.
                    (B) Required activities.--The eligible entity shall 
                use the grant funds--
                            (i) to pay for the cost of training or 
                        education associated with the pre-
                        apprenticeship program;
                            (ii) for curriculum development that align 
                        with the requirements of the appropriate 
                        registered apprenticeship programs and learning 
                        assessments;
                            (iii) to maintain a connection between the 
                        pre-apprenticeship program and registered 
                        apprenticeship program;
                            (iv) for assessments of potential 
                        participants for, and enrollment of the 
                        participants in, the pre-apprenticeship 
                        program; and
                            (v) to conduct evaluations described in 
                        paragraph (6)(B).
                    (C) Allowable activities.--The eligible entity may 
                use the grant funds for--
                            (i) teacher training, including providing 
                        externship opportunities for teachers to learn 
                        about the skill needs of the industry or 
                        occupation that the pre-apprenticeship program 
                        focuses on;
                            (ii) stipends for participants during work-
                        based training in the program; or
                            (iii) coordination of activities under this 
                        subsection with activities carried out under 
                        the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
                        Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) 
                        or the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
                        (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
            (5) Federal share.--
                    (A) In general.--The Federal share of the cost 
                described in paragraph (2)(A) shall be 75 percent.
                    (B) Non-federal share.--The eligible entity may 
                contribute the non-Federal share of the cost in cash or 
                in-kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, 
                or services.
            (6) Performance.--
                    (A) Measures.--The Secretary shall identify a set 
                of common measures that, at a minimum, include measures 
                of entry into a registered apprenticeship program and 
                that are aligned with performance accountability 
                measures described in section 116(c) of the Workforce 
                Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(c)) for 
                the local workforce development area (meaning a local 
                area, as defined in section 3 of that Act) and with 
                corresponding measures under the Carl D. Perkins Career 
                and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
                seq.), as appropriate.
                    (B) Evaluations.--Each eligible entity that 
                receives a grant to carry out a project under this 
                subsection shall arrange for another qualified entity 
                to conduct an evaluation, or shall participate in a 
                Department of Labor sponsored evaluation, of the 
                project using the identified common measures, and 
                shall, to the extent practicable, cooperate with the 
                evaluator in any evaluations of activities carried out 
                under this section.
                    (C) Extensions.--The Secretary shall use the 
                results of an evaluation for a project to determine 
                whether to extend the grant period, or renew a grant, 
                for the project under paragraph (2)(B).
    (c) Promoting Awareness of Registered Apprenticeship Programs.--
            (1) In general.--To promote awareness about registered 
        apprenticeship programs, the Secretary, in cooperation with the 
        Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Commerce, shall 
        ensure that timely, current information about the value of 
        registered apprenticeship programs in the labor market is made 
        available through a range of widely accessible formats and 
        venues. The information shall be made available to businesses, 
        trade associations, professional associations, students, 
        parents, workers, educational institutions, workforce and 
        economic development organizations, and State and local elected 
        officials.
            (2) Information for state and local workforce development 
        boards.--To promote awareness about registered apprenticeship 
        programs within the workforce development system, the Secretary 
        shall disseminate information on the value of registered 
        apprenticeship programs, to State and local workforce 
        development boards described in subsection (b)(2)(C)(iv), which 
        information shall include--
                    (A) a list of registered apprenticeship programs in 
                the State involved;
                    (B) guidance for training staff of the workforce 
                development system within the State on the value of 
                registered apprenticeship programs, including relevant 
                placement, retention and earnings information, as a 
                training option for participants;
                    (C) guidance on how individual training accounts 
                under section 134(c)(3) of the Workforce Innovation and 
                Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)) could be used by 
                participants for a registered apprenticeship program; 
                and
                    (D) guidance on how performance accountability 
                measures under section 116 of the Workforce Innovation 
                and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) apply to 
                participants in registered apprenticeship programs, 
                including relevant placement, retention and earnings 
                information.
            (3) Information for employers, trade associations, 
        professional associations, industry groups and labor 
        organizations.--To promote awareness about registered 
        apprenticeship programs to workers and employers, the 
        Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall 
        provide information about the value of registered 
        apprenticeship programs, including relevant placement, 
        retention and earnings information, through the one-stop 
        delivery systems described in section 121 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151), to employers, 
        trade associations, professional associations, industry groups, 
        and labor organizations, which information shall include, at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) a list of registered apprenticeship programs in 
                the State;
                    (B) information on how to develop a registered 
                apprenticeship program; and
                    (C) information on financial resources available to 
                assist with the establishment and implementation of 
                registered apprenticeship programs.
            (4) Information for students and schools.--To promote 
        awareness about registered apprenticeship programs among 
        students and school staff, the Secretary, in cooperation with 
        the Secretary of Education, shall disseminate information on 
        the value of registered apprenticeship programs, including 
        relevant placement, retention and earnings information, to high 
        schools, area career and technical education schools (as 
        defined in subsection (b)(2)(C)(i)), 2- and 4-year 
        postsecondary educational institutions, and educational service 
        agencies, to enable, at a minimum--
                    (A) parents to understand registered apprenticeship 
                programs and their value in postsecondary education and 
                career pathways;
                    (B) students to understand registered 
                apprenticeship programs and their value in career 
                pathways;
                    (C) career and academic counselors to understand 
                registered apprenticeship programs as a valuable 
                postsecondary education option for students leading to 
                job placement in in-demand industries and occupations; 
                and
                    (D) school administrators, workforce and economic 
                development coordinators, and teachers and faculty to 
                assist with the development, implementation, and 
                continuation of registered apprenticeship programs.
    (d) Secretary's National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships.--
            (1) Establishment.--
                    (A) In general.--There is established in the 
                Department of Labor a National Advisory Committee on 
                Apprenticeships, referred to in this section as the 
                ``Advisory Committee''.
                    (B) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall 
                have--
                            (i) 21 voting members appointed by the 
                        Secretary, composed of--
                                    (I) 7 representatives of employers 
                                who participate in a registered 
                                apprenticeship program, including 
                                employers who participate in a 
                                registered apprenticeship program 
                                sponsored by a joint labor-management 
                                partnership;
                                    (II) 7 representatives of labor 
                                organizations who have responsibility 
                                for the administration of a registered 
                                apprenticeship program sponsored by a 
                                joint labor-management partnership;
                                    (III) 7 representatives of State 
                                apprenticeship agencies, community 
                                organizations with significant 
                                experience with a registered 
                                apprenticeship program, and 2- or 4-
                                year postsecondary educational 
                                institutions with at least one 
                                articulation agreement with the entity 
                                administering a registered 
                                apprenticeship program; and
                            (ii) members who are ex officio nonvoting 
                        representatives from the Departments of Labor, 
                        Commerce, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban 
                        Development, and Health and Human Services.
                    (C) Qualifications.--The members shall be selected 
                upon the basis of their experience and competence 
                concerning apprenticeships.
                    (D) Terms.--The Secretary shall appoint the members 
                for terms of 4 years.
            (2) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall designate one of the 
        members of the Advisory Committee to serve as Chairperson of 
        the Advisory Committee.
            (3) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall hold not fewer 
        than 2 meetings during each calendar year. All meetings of the 
        Advisory Committee shall be open to the public. A transcript 
        shall be kept of each meeting and made available for public 
        inspection.
            (4) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise, consult 
        with, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters 
        relating to the administration of this part and 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.).
            (5) Personnel.--
                    (A) Procurement.--
                            (i) In general.--The Chairperson of the 
                        Advisory Committee may procure the temporary 
                        and intermittent services of voting members of 
                        the Advisory Committee under section 3109(b) of 
                        title 5, United States Code, at rates for 
                        individuals that do not exceed the daily 
                        equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
                        prescribed for level V of the Executive 
                        Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
                            (ii) Officers or employees of the united 
                        states.--All members of the Advisory Committee 
                        who are officers or employees of the United 
                        States shall serve without compensation in 
                        addition to that received for their services as 
                        officers or employees of the United States.
                    (B) Staff.--The Secretary shall supply the 
                Committee with an executive secretary and provide such 
                secretarial, clerical, and other services as the 
                Secretary determines to be necessary to enable the 
                Advisory Committee to conduct its business.
            (6) Permanent committee.--Section 14 of the Federal 
        Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
        advisory committee.
    (e) Evaluations and Research.--
            (1) Evaluations of programs and activities carried out 
        under this part.--For the purpose of improving the management 
        and effectiveness of the programs and activities carried out 
        under this part, the Secretary shall provide for the continuing 
        evaluation, by an independent entity, of the programs and 
        activities, including activities carried out under subsection 
        (a)(3)(C). Such evaluations shall address--
                    (A) the general effectiveness of such programs and 
                activities in relation to their cost, including the 
                extent to which the programs and activities--
                            (i) improve the skill and employment 
                        competencies of participants in comparison to 
                        comparably situated individuals who did not 
                        participate in such programs and activities; 
                        and
                            (ii) to the extent feasible, increase the 
                        level of total employment and recognized 
                        postsecondary credential attainment over the 
                        level that would have existed in the absence of 
                        such programs and activities;
                    (B) the impact of the programs and activities for 
                the participants, sponsors, and employers;
                    (C) the return on investment of Federal, State, 
                local, sponsor, employer, and other funding for 
                registered apprenticeships to capture the full level of 
                investment in, and impact of, registered 
                apprenticeships;
                    (D) the longitudinal outcomes for participants in 
                the programs and activities; and
                    (E) the impact of specific policies on the general 
                effectiveness of such programs and activities.
            (2) Research.--The Secretary may conduct, through an 
        independent entity, research on best practices in registered 
        apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs and 
        other issues relating to such programs.
            (3) Techniques.--Evaluations and research conducted under 
        this subsection shall utilize appropriate methodology and 
        research designs.
            (4) Reports.--The independent entity carrying out the 
        evaluations described in paragraph (1) or research described in 
        paragraph (2) shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final 
        report containing the results of the evaluations or research, 
        respectively, and including policy recommendations. The final 
        report shall be made available for public inspection. Not later 
        than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Secretary shall produce a final report related to the return on 
        investment described in paragraph (1)(C).
            (5) Reports to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        completion of all the final reports described in paragraph (4), 
        the Secretary shall transmit the final reports to the Committee 
        on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
        the Senate.
            (6) Public access.--The Secretary shall develop a mechanism 
        to make research developed under this part publically available 
        in a timely manner.
    (f) Reservation.--The Secretary shall reserve not less than 10 
percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (g) for each fiscal 
year for grants to States. A State that receives such a grant shall use 
the grant funds for the purpose of assisting the Administrator in 
carrying out the activities under this section, and may use the grant 
funds to support the voluntary establishment of a State apprenticeship 
office, if no such office exists in the State.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 
and each subsequent year.

SEC. 212. PROMOTING INTEGRATION WITH POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Collaborative.--The term ``Collaborative'' means the 
        Registered Apprenticeship-College Collaborative established 
        under subsection (b)(1).
            (2) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means the 
        Secretary of Labor, acting through the Administrator, working 
        jointly with the Secretary of Education, acting through the 
        Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and 
        Adult Education.
    (b) Collaborative With 2- and 4-Year Postsecondary Educational 
Institutions.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Secretaries shall establish and 
        maintain a voluntary Registered Apprenticeship-College 
        Collaborative. The Collaborative shall consist of the sponsors 
        carrying out registered apprenticeship programs, 2- or 4-year 
        postsecondary educational institutions, and organizations that 
        represent such programs or institutions, that agree to meet 
        certain criteria in order to support the purposes described in 
        paragraph (2).
            (2) Purposes.--The Collaborative shall support the purposes 
        of--
                    (A) promoting stronger connections between the 
                registered apprenticeship programs involved and 
                participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institutions;
                    (B) promoting the translation of experience in a 
                registered apprenticeship program to academic credit at 
                participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institutions;
                    (C) facilitating the enrollment of an individual 
                who has completed a registered apprenticeship program 
                (referred to in this section as an ``apprentice'') at a 
                participating 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institution for the purpose of attaining academic 
                credit toward an associate's or more advanced degree;
                    (D) advancing the attainment of associate's and 
                more advanced degrees by apprentices;
                    (E) promoting the attainment of recognized 
                postsecondary credentials with value in the labor 
                market; and
                    (F) expanding awareness about the value of 
                registered apprenticeship programs as a postsecondary 
                education option.
            (3) Participant requirements.--The Secretaries shall 
        establish criteria that any interested 2- or 4-year 
        postsecondary educational institution or sponsor shall meet in 
        order to participate in the Collaborative, which criteria shall 
        include, at a minimum--
                    (A) for a 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institution--
                            (i) agreement to recognize and accept the 
                        academic credit (as assessed under subparagraph 
                        (B)(i)) earned by an apprentice for, and the 
                        assessment of the apprentice's learning in, a 
                        registered apprenticeship program at another 
                        participating institution;
                            (ii) agreement to have a formal 
                        articulation agreement with a participating 
                        sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program, 
                        other than a 2- or 4-year postsecondary 
                        educational institution; and
                            (iii) agreement to provide certain 
                        information, as determined by the Secretaries, 
                        to the Collaborative; and
                    (B) for a sponsor--
                            (i) agreement to participate in third-party 
                        evaluations of the quality and rigor of the 
                        program offerings in order to determine the 
                        value of academic credit for learning during a 
                        registered apprenticeship program;
                            (ii) agreement to have a formal 
                        articulation agreement with a participating 2- 
                        or 4-year postsecondary educational 
                        institution; and
                            (iii) agreement to provide certain 
                        information, as determined by the Secretaries, 
                        to the Collaborative.
            (4) Memorandum of understanding.--
                    (A) In general.--In order to participate in the 
                Collaborative, interested 2- or 4-year postsecondary 
                educational institutions and sponsors shall agree to 
                meet certain conditions determined by the Secretaries.
                    (B) Conditions.--Such conditions shall address, at 
                a minimum--
                            (i) how learning during a registered 
                        apprenticeship program, including related 
                        instruction and on-the-job training, will be 
                        assessed for academic credit;
                            (ii) how programs and procedures, 
                        especially those related to admissions, credit 
                        transfer, and recognition of such learning will 
                        be structured to support accessibility for 
                        apprentices;
                            (iii) how the structure and scheduling of 
                        courses will be developed in a way that 
                        supports the matriculation of apprentices; and
                            (iv) how residency requirements will 
                        support the transferability of credit earned by 
                        apprentices.
            (5) Publicly available information.--The Secretaries shall 
        maintain a publicly accessible website identifying, at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) the participating members of the Collaborative 
                in each State;
                    (B) a model for articulation agreements, and copies 
                of some exemplary articulation agreements for 
                illustrative purposes; and
                    (C) such other information as the Secretaries 
                determine to be necessary to promote awareness of the 
                Collaborative and its members.
            (6) Use of funds.--
                    (A) Administrative.--The Secretaries shall use 30 
                percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (c) 
                to establish and maintain the Collaborative and the 
                website referred to in paragraph (5), to support the 
                advisory committee referred to in paragraph (6), and 
                for technical assistance, evaluation, and research 
                activities.
                    (B) For program participants.--The Secretaries 
                shall use 70 percent of the appropriated funds to carry 
                out, directly or by grant or contract with an eligible 
                entity, activities consisting of--
                            (i) providing funding to Collaborative 
                        participants to support the development of 
                        articulation agreements with other 
                        Collaborative participants;
                            (ii) providing funding to the Collaborative 
                        to support the assessment of learning during a 
                        registered apprenticeship program, for academic 
                        credit;
                            (iii) providing funding to the 
                        Collaborative to support third-party 
                        evaluations of the quality and rigor of program 
                        offerings, referred to in paragraph (3)(B)(i), 
                        which evaluations shall be conducted by an 
                        entity that meets minimum criteria as 
                        established by the Secretaries;
                            (iv) providing curriculum development, for 
                        participating institutions and sponsors; and
                            (v) carrying out other purposes that will 
                        help participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary 
                        educational institutions and sponsors meet the 
                        requirements of paragraphs (3) and (4).
                    (C) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant or contract under subparagraph (B), an entity 
                shall be a partnership comprised of--
                            (i) at least 1-, 2-, or 4-year 
                        postsecondary educational institution 
                        participating in the Collaborative; and
                            (ii) at least 1 sponsor of a registered 
                        apprenticeship program participating in the 
                        Collaborative.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 
and each subsequent year.

              PART 2--PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT

SEC. 221. EXPANDING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide payments of assistance 
for eligible sponsors of new (as of the date of submission of an 
application under subsection (b)) registered apprenticeship programs, 
or for eligible sponsors of existing registered apprenticeship programs 
that add employers as new (as of such date) partners, which may include 
joint labor-management registered apprenticeship programs.
    (b) Applications.--To be eligible to receive payments under this 
section for a registered apprenticeship program, a sponsor shall submit 
an application to the Secretary including information demonstrating 
that (as of the date of submission)--
            (1)(A) for a new registered apprenticeship program, the 
        program received recognition as a registered apprenticeship 
        program within the 36 months preceding that date; or
            (B) for an existing registered apprenticeship program 
        (which may include joint labor-management registered 
        apprenticeship programs), employers were added as new partners 
        within the 36 months preceding that date;
            (2) the sponsor offered jobs that lead to economic self-
        sufficiency, as determined by a local workforce development 
        board located in the same local workforce development area 
        (meaning a local area, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102));
            (3) the sponsor has demonstrated success in enrolling, 
        instructing, advancing, and graduating individuals in the 
        relevant registered apprenticeship program, and in the 
        employment of such individuals after completion of the program; 
        and
            (4) the sponsor had not received a payment under subsection 
        (d) for that registered apprenticeship program.
    (c) Use of Funds.--In providing assistance under this section, the 
Secretary shall arrange to provide payments as described in subsection 
(a) for eligible sponsors, as funds are available under this section. 
Funds made available through such a payment shall be used to reimburse 
an eligible sponsor for the allowable costs of establishing or 
expanding the registered apprenticeship program involved. The maximum 
total payment to any one sponsor may not exceed $25,000 or 50 percent 
of the allowable costs.
    (d) Disbursement.--The Secretary shall enter into arrangements with 
State workforce development boards to make disbursements through the 
local workforce development boards described in subsection (b)(2) to 
provide the payments to the eligible sponsors.
    (e) Evaluations.--Sponsors receiving grants under this section 
shall, to the extent practicable, cooperate with the Secretary in the 
conduct of evaluations of the activities carried out under this 
section.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and 
        each subsequent year.
            (2) Reservation.--The Secretary may reserve 5 percent of 
        the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year 
        for distribution to the State workforce development boards and 
        local workforce development boards, to pay for the costs of the 
        boards associated with making determinations under subsection 
        (b)(2) and disbursements under subsection (d), and as funds 
        remain available, other costs of administration and management, 
        technical assistance, research, and evaluation under this 
        subtitle.

                        Subtitle B--Reemployment

SEC. 231. REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REEMPLOYMENT BONUS PROGRAM UNDER STATE 
              UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION LAW.

    (a) In General.--Section 303 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
503) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(n)(1) For purposes of subsection (a), the State law of a State 
must provide for a reemployment bonus program, to be approved by the 
Secretary of Labor, under which a reemployment bonus, in an amount 
specified under paragraph (2), shall be paid, immediately following the 
end of the 16-week period described in subparagraph (B), to any 
individual described in paragraph (3) who--
            ``(A) becomes employed by an employer other than the 
        individual's most recent employer not later than 12 weeks after 
        the date of the individual's initial claim for unemployment 
        compensation; and
            ``(B) remains employed by such employer for a period of at 
        least 16 consecutive weeks.
    ``(2) The amount of a reemployment bonus paid to an individual 
under paragraph (1) shall be an amount equal to \1/2\ of the difference 
between the total amount of regular compensation that would be payable 
to the individual during the benefit year under the State law if the 
individual were not employed in any week of such benefit year and the 
total amount of such regular compensation paid to the individual during 
the benefit year prior the week in which the individual becomes 
employed as described in paragraph (1)(A).
    ``(3) An individual described in this paragraph is an individual 
who--
            ``(A) is eligible for unemployment compensation for the 
        week before the week in which the individual becomes employed 
        as described in paragraph (1)(A); and
            ``(B) has been identified under subsection (j) as an 
        individual likely to exhaust regular compensation.
    ``(4) In this subsection, the terms `regular compensation' and 
`benefit year' have the meanings given such terms in section 205 of the 
Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 
3304 note).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall, 
with respect to a State, apply to certifications for payment under 
section 302(a) of the Social Security Act in years beginning after the 
end of the 26-week period beginning on the first day of the first 
regularly scheduled session of the State legislature beginning on or 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 232. COORDINATING STATE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAMS WITH 
              THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

    (a) Referrals to WIOA Services.--Section 303(j)(1)(B) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 503(j)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``job 
search assistance services'' and inserting ``job search assistance, 
training assistance, job relocation support, and income support 
services,''.
    (b) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments.--Section 
306(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 306(b)(3)) is amended 
by striking ``program integration and service delivery'' and inserting 
``program integration, service delivery, support services, and 
availability of training assistance''.

SEC. 233. PERMISSIBLE USE OF WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT 
              FUNDS FOR WAGE INSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of subtitle B of title I of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3171 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 135. PERMISSIBLE USE OF FUNDS FOR WAGE INSURANCE.

    ``(a) Wage Insurance for State Unemployment Compensation 
Recipients.--A State may use funds allotted to the State under this 
chapter to provide a wage insurance program for individuals who file a 
claim under any State unemployment compensation law.
    ``(b) Benefits.--The wage insurance program provided for in 
subsection (a) may pay, for a period not to exceed 2 years, to a worker 
described in subsection (c), up to 50 percent of the difference 
between--
            ``(1) the average of the wages received by the worker over 
        the last twelve months of employment; and
            ``(2) the wages received by the worker from reemployment.
    ``(c) Individual Eligibility.--The benefits described in subsection 
(b) may be paid to an individual who is a claimant for unemployment 
compensation at the time such individual obtains reemployment and who--
            ``(1) is at least 50 years of age, or 45 years of age if 
        such individual lives in a distressed community;
            ``(2) earns not more than $50,000 per year in wages from 
        reemployment;
            ``(3) is employed on a full-time basis as defined by the 
        law of the State; and
            ``(4) is not employed by the employer from which the 
        individual was last separated.
    ``(d) Total Amount of Payments.--A State shall establish a maximum 
amount of payments per individual for purposes of payments described in 
subsection (b) during the eligibility period described in such 
subsection. An employee shall report an increase in wages during the 
two-year period of participating in the wage insurance program and 
their total amount of payments shall reflect any modification.
    ``(e) Non-Discrimination Regarding Wages.--An employer shall not 
pay a worker described in subsection (c) less than such employer pays 
to another worker in the same or substantially equivalent position.
    ``(f) Distressed Community Defined .--The term `distressed 
community' means a geographic unit, as defined by the Secretary of 
Commerce, with--
            ``(1) a low per capita income;
            ``(2) an unemployment rate below the national average; or
            ``(3) actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic 
        adjustment problems.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 136 of the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3181) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(d) Wage Insurance Activities.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the activities described in section 135 such 
sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year 
thereafter.''.

SEC. 234. TRAINING VOUCHERS.

    (a) Reference.--In this section, any reference to a section or 
other provision shall be a reference to the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
    (b) Functions of the State Board.--Section 101(d)(3) (29 U.S.C. 
3111(d)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the semicolon and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) the development of strategies to promote the 
                integration of workforce development services to 
                unemployment insurance claimants.''.
    (c) Programs and Activities in State Plans.--Section 103(a)(2) (29 
U.S.C. 3113(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(L) The employment and training assistance 
                authorized in this Act.
                    ``(M) The job search support services authorized in 
                this Act.''.
    (d) Local Plans.--Section 108(b) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (21), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
        a semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (22), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(23) a description of how training assistance will be 
        administered.''.
    (e) Required Local Employment and Training Activities for Adults 
and Dislocated Workers.--
            (1) Training vouchers.--Section 134(c)(3) (29 U.S.C. 
        3174(c)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i)--
                            (i) by inserting ``a voucher for'' after 
                        ``used to provide''; and
                            (ii) by redesignating subclauses (II), 
                        (III), and (IV) as subclauses (III), (IV), and 
                        (V), and after subclause (I) the following:
                                    ``(II) who select programs of 
                                training services that are linked to 
                                employment opportunities.'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (F)--
                            (i) in clause (iii), by deleting the clause 
                        heading and inserting ``Training vouchers.--'' 
                        and by striking ``through an individual 
                        training account'' and inserting ``through a 
                        training voucher''; and
                            (ii) in clause (iv), by striking 
                        ``coordinate funding for individual training 
                        accounts with funding from other Federal, 
                        State, local, or private job training programs 
                        or sources'' and inserting ``and arrange for 
                        payment for such services through a training 
                        voucher. Such payments may not exceed $8,000 
                        for up to two years.''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (G)(i), by striking 
                ``individual training accounts'' and inserting 
                ``training vouchers''.
            (2) Income support.--Section 134(d)(1)(B) (29 U.S.C. 
        3174(d)(1)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by inserting ``provide income 
                support for those adults and dislocated workers 
                participating in a training program'' after ``enhancing 
                employment''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Duration and amounts.--The income 
                        support provided under clause (i) to 
                        individuals who are enrolled in training a 
                        weekly income stipend for up to 78 weeks after 
                        such individual exhausts unemployment insurance 
                        benefits, to help cover training-related costs 
                        like childcare or transportation. A 
                        participant's weekly stipend will be equal to 
                        100 percent or 50 percent of their unemployment 
                        insurance weekly benefit amount depending on 
                        whether, at the time of participation, their 
                        household income is below or above 130 percent 
                        of the Federal poverty level.''.

SEC. 235. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 136 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 2872), as amended by section 233(b) of this subtitle, is further 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after ``2019,''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, and such sums as may be necessary for 
                each of fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after ``2019,''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, and such sums as may be necessary for 
                each of fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025''.

 TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DISTRESSED COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AGENCY

SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
            (2) Distressed community.--The term ``distressed 
        community'' means a geographic unit, as defined by the 
        Secretary of Commerce, with--
                    (A) a low per capita income;
                    (B) an unemployment rate below the national 
                average; or
                    (C) actual or threatened severe unemployment or 
                economic adjustment problems.
            (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (4) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of the 
        United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
        Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any 
        possession of the United States.

SEC. 302. DISTRESSED COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AGENCY.

    (a) In General.--There is established the Distressed Community 
Investment Agency within the Department of Commerce one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act with the mission of promoting, 
establishing, and strengthening venture capital investment in 
distressed communities, including expenses of grants, contracts, and 
other agreements with public or private entities.
    (b) Functions.--The Distressed Community Investment Agency shall--
            (1) coordinate the plans, programs, and operations of the 
        Federal Government which affect or may contribute to the 
        promotion, establishment, and strengthening of venture capital 
        investment in distressed communities;
            (2) promote the mobilization of activities and resources of 
        State and local governments, businesses and trade associations, 
        institutions of higher education, foundations, professional 
        organizations, and volunteer and other groups towards the 
        promotion, establishment, and strengthening of venture capital 
        investment in distressed communities;
            (3) facilitate the coordination of the efforts of groups 
        described in paragraph (2) with those of agencies;
            (4) establish satellite centers in distressed communities 
        across the United States for the development, collection, 
        summarization, and dissemination of information helpful to 
        persons, State and local governments, businesses and trade 
        associations, institutions of higher education, foundations, 
        professional organizations, and volunteer and other groups in 
        undertaking or promoting venture capital investment in 
        distressed communities;
            (5) make grants, including contracts and cooperative 
        agreements, to any State government or any agency thereof, any 
        regional entity, any State-chartered development, any 
        institution of higher education, or to any entity formed by two 
        or more of the above entities to assist in establishing the 
        satellite centers described in paragraph (4);
            (6) provide technical and management assistance to public 
        or private entities or organizations engaged in promoting, 
        establishing, and strengthening venture capital investment in 
        distressed communities through workforce development and 
        retention, attracting businesses and industries, fostering 
        innovation, accelerating entrepreneurship and business growth, 
        and marketing local, State, and regional ecosystems; and
            (7) defray all or part of the costs of pilot or 
        demonstration projects conducted by public or private entities 
        or organizations which are designed to overcome the unique 
        challenge of promoting, establishing, and strengthening venture 
        capital investment in distressed communities, or otherwise to 
        further the purposes of this Act.
    (c) Responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce.--The Secretary 
of Commerce, to enable the Distressed Community Investment Agency to 
better execute the functions described in this section and with the 
participation of the Economic Development Administration and other 
agencies, as appropriate, shall--
            (1) develop comprehensive plans and specific program goals 
        for the Distressed Community Investment Agency;
            (2) establish regular performance monitoring and reporting 
        systems to assure that goals are being achieved;
            (3) evaluate the impact of Federal support in achieving the 
        objectives established by this title;
            (4) require a coordinated review of all proposed Federal 
        training and technical assistance activities in support of 
        promoting, establishing, and strengthening venture capital 
        investment in distressed communities to assure consistency with 
        the program goals of the Distressed Community Investment Agency 
        and to avoid duplication;
            (5) convene, for purposes of coordination, meetings of the 
        heads of agencies, or their designees, whose programs and 
        activities may affect or contribute to the purposes of this 
        title;
            (6) convene economic development organizations, venture 
        capitalists, startup founders, entrepreneurs, chambers of 
        commerce, and other representatives of the private sector who 
        are engaged in growing venture capital investment in distressed 
        communities or who could contribute to this growth to propose, 
        evaluate, and coordinate governmental and private activities in 
        furtherance of the objectives of this title;
            (7) confer with and advise officials of State and local 
        governments;
            (8) provide the managerial and organizational framework 
        through which joint or collaborative undertakings with agencies 
        or private organizations can be planned and implemented; and
            (9) recommend appropriate legislative or executive actions.
    (d) Responsibilities of Other Agencies.--
            (1) Cooperation.--The head of each agency, or a 
        representative designated by such head, when and in the manner 
        so requested by the Secretary of Commerce, shall furnish 
        information, assistance, and reports to, and shall otherwise 
        cooperate with, the Distressed Community Investment Agency.
            (2) Designation of agency contact.--The head of each agency 
        shall, when so requested by the Secretary of Commerce, 
        designate the official to have primary and continuing 
        responsibility for the participation and cooperation of that 
        agency in matters related to promoting, establishing, and 
        strengthening venture capital investment in distressed 
        communities.
            (3) Agency contact duties.--Each official designated 
        pursuant to paragraph (2), when so requested, shall keep the 
        Secretary of Commerce informed of all proposed budgets, plans, 
        and programs of the agency of that official related to 
        promoting, establishing, and strengthening venture capital 
        investment in distressed communities.
            (4) Continuing role of agencies.--Each agency shall 
        continue all efforts to promote, establish, and strengthen 
        venture capital investment in distressed communities, and shall 
        cooperate with the Secretary of Commerce in increasing the 
        total Federal effort.
    (e) Reports.--
            (1) Reports required by satellite centers.--Not later than 
        September 30 of each year, each satellite center shall submit 
        to the Secretary of Commerce a report on the activities of the 
        center, including the following:
                    (A) The center's performance in implementing the 
                plans and meeting the specific program goals set for 
                the prior fiscal year.
                    (B) The plans and specific program goals of the 
                center for the next fiscal year.
                    (C) Completed and ongoing joint and collaborative 
                undertakings with the groups described in subsection 
                (b)(2).
                    (D) The services most used by the center.
                    (E) Recommendations for improving the quality, 
                utility, and delivery of services offered by the 
                Distressed Community Investment Agency.
                    (F) Any other information requested by the 
                Secretary of Commerce.
            (2) Reports by the secretary of commerce.--Not later than 
        one year after the date of the enactment of this title and 
        every March 31 thereafter, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
        submit to Congress a report on the following:
                    (A) The activities of the Distressed Community 
                Investment Agency.
                    (B) The location of new and existing satellite 
                centers.
                    (C) The performance of the Distressed Community 
                Investment Agency in implementing the plans and meeting 
                the specific program goals set for the prior fiscal 
                year.
                    (D) The plans and specific program goals for the 
                next fiscal year.
                    (E) Expenses of grants, contracts, and other 
                agreements with public or private entities.
                    (F) Completed and ongoing joint or collaborative 
                undertakings with agencies and the groups described in 
                subsection (b)(2).
                    (G) Meetings convened by the Secretary with heads 
                of agencies, representatives of the private sector, or 
                officials of State and local governments.
                    (H) A review and evaluation of the impact of 
                Federal support in achieving the objectives established 
                by this title.
                    (I) Recommendations for legislation or other action 
                determined to be desirable to promote the purposes of 
                this title.
            (3) Reports by other agencies.--The head of each agency 
        shall--
                    (A) develop and implement systematic data 
                collection processes to provide the Distressed 
                Community Investment Agency current data helpful in 
                evaluating efforts to promote, establish, and 
                strengthen venture capital investment in distressed 
                communities; and
                    (B) not later than September 30 of each year, 
                submit to the Secretary of Commerce a report on efforts 
                to promote, establish, and strengthen venture capital 
                investment in distressed communities through workforce 
                development and retention, attracting businesses and 
                industries, fostering innovation, accelerating 
                entrepreneurship and business growth, and marketing 
                local, State, and regional ecosystems.
    (f) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 12 of the Act of 
February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1511), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), by inserting a semicolon at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(6) Distressed Community Investment Agency; and''.

SEC. 303. REDESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO DEPARTMENT OF 
              INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Department of Commerce is hereby redesignated 
the Department of Innovation and Investment.
    (b) References.--Any reference to the Department of Commerce in any 
law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, or other 
official paper in force on the date of the enactment of this title 
shall be considered to refer and apply to the Department of Innovation 
and Investment.

SEC. 304. REDESIGNATION OF SECRETARY OF COMMERCE TO SECRETARY OF 
              INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce is hereby redesignated 
the Secretary of Innovation and Investment.
    (b) References.--Any reference to the Secretary of Commerce in any 
law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, or other 
official paper in force on the date of the enactment of this title 
shall be considered to refer and apply to the Secretary of Innovation 
and Investment.

               TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor 
and the Secretary of Education such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out each's responsibilities to carry out this Act.
                                 <all>
WORKER Act
To advance STEM education, provide for improved worker training, retention, and advancement, and for other purposes.
WORKER Act
Working On Rewarding and Keeping Employees Resilient Act
LEARNS Act
Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills Act
Rep. Ryan, Tim