,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bbjd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #bc1 #bjac ,ms4 ,tsongas introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,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 communities4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,helping ,individuals ,return to ,employment ,act or the ,,hire ,act4 #b4 ,community employment grants 7a7 ,grants authorized ,the ,secretary of ,labor is authorized to award competitive grants for the hiring of unemployed individuals to perform work to benefit communities1 under terms and conditions set forth in this section4 7b7 ,eligible entities ,grants under this section may be awarded to any of the following entities in the areas described in subsection 7c73 7#a7 ,units of local government4 7#b7 ,workforce investment boards1 established pursuant to section #aag of the ,workforce ,investment ,act of #aiih 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bhcb74 7#c7 ,non-profit organizations described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7#bf ,u4,s4,c4 #eja7;c77#c774 7c7 ,targeted communities ,grants under this section may be awarded to eligible entities located in or primarily serving in one of the following areas1 if the unemployment rate in such area is higher than #g percent during the #c-month period preceding the award of the grant3 7#a7 ,a renewal community with respect to which a designation was in effect under section #adjj;,e7a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7#bf ,u4,s4,c4 #adjj;,e7a77 on ,december #ca1 #bjji4 7#b7 ,an empowerment zone designated under section #acia of such ,code4 7#c7 ,a historically underutilized business zone designated under section #c7p77#a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb7p77#a774 7d7 ,individuals eligible for employment ,grants awarded under this section shall be used to hire unemployed individuals residing in the areas described in subsection 7c71 including individuals age #af and older1 with priority going to individuals who have been unemployed for more than a year4 7e7 ,limitations 7#a7 ,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 work1 unless-- 7,a7 the consent of the labor organization at such employer is obtained2 and 7,b7 negotiations have taken place between such labor organization and the employer as to the terms and conditions of such employment4 7#b7 ,nondisplacement ,an individual whose employment is funded under this ,act may not displace other employees whose employment is not funded under this ,act4 ,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 furloughed4 7f7 ,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 unemployed4 7g7 ,consultation requirement ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this ,act shall consult with community leaders1 including small business owners1 labor organizations1 and local residents to assess the needs of the community to determine the qualifying activities for which individuals will be hired4 7h7 ,qualifying activities ,individuals hired using grant funds awarded under this section shall be employed for a minimum of #bj hours per week only in activities that benefit the community in the areas described in subsection 7c71 including activities such as public works1 beautification1 historic restoration1 tutoring1 and adult education4 ,in addition1 where an eligible entity determines appropriate1 a portion of the grant funds may be used to ensure the safety of employees hired under the grant and provide necessary job training4 7i7 ,federal share ,funds awarded under this section shall supplement1 not supplant1 funds of the eligible entity that are used for such purposes4 7j7 ,application ,eligible entities seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such form1 and containing such information and assurances as the ,secretary may require4 7k7 ,required deadline for hiring ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall-- 7#a7 determine the number of individuals that may be hired for a #c-year period using both grant funds and local funds available for such purpose2 and 7#b7 hire such individuals within #fj days after receiving a grant4 7l7 ,regulations ,the ,secretary of ,labor may promulgate regulations necessary to implement the grant program authorized by this ,act1 including any necessary regulations necessary to apply wage and labor protections to individuals employed under a grant4 7m7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,labor such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section4