,,ii #aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cdcc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #bh1 #bjaf ,mrs4 ,murray introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to coordinate1 manage1 and implement the ,department of ,labor's evaluation and research programs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,comprehensive ,labor ,evaluation and ,research ,act or the ,,clear ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,applied research ,the term applied research means research-- 7,a7 to gain knowledge or understanding necessary for determining the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met2 and 7,b7 that is specifically directed to the advancement of practice concerning the issues and fields under the jurisdiction of the ,department4 7#b7 ,basic research ,the term basic research means research-- 7,a7 to gain fundamental knowledge or understanding of phenomena and observable factors1 without specific application toward processes or products2 and 7,b7 for the advancement of knowledge concerning the issues and fields under the jurisdiction of the ,department4 7#c7 ,chief evaluation officer ,the term ,chief ,evaluation ,officer means the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer of the ,office of ,labor ,evaluation and ,research4 7#d7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,labor4 7#e7 ,dissemination ,the term dissemination means the communication and transfer of the information involved and the results of the scientifically valid evaluations and other research involved1 in forms that are understandable1 are easily accessible1 and are usable or adaptable1 by practitioners1 researchers1 policymakers1 and the public1 through 7to the extent practicable7 technical assistance1 publications1 electronic transfer1 and other means4 7#f7 ,evidence-based research standards ,the term evidence-based research standards means standards for research 7including evaluations7-- 7,a7 that applies rigorous1 systematic1 and objective methodology to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to programs and activities under the jurisdiction of the ,department2 and 7,b7 for which the findings and claims are appropriate to and supported by the methods that have been employed2 7,c7 that includes1 as appropriate to the research being conducted-- 7i7 employing systematic1 empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment2 7ii7 employing data analyses that are adequate to support the general findings2 7iii7 relying on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable data2 and 7iv7 making claims of causal relationships1 if the research has a research design that substantially eliminates plausible competing explanations for the obtained results1 such as random assignment experiments2 and 7,d7 for which the studies and methods are presented in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or1 at a minimum1 to offer the opportunity to build systematically on the findings of the research4 7#g7 ,office ,the term ,office means the ,office of ,labor ,evaluation and ,research4 7#h7 ,related to labor ,the term related to labor1 used with respect to an issue1 means an issue under the jurisdiction of the ,department4 7#i7 ,scientifically valid evaluation ,the term scientifically valid1 used with respect to an evaluation1 means an evaluation that-- 7,a7 adheres to the highest possible standards of quality with respect to research design and statistical analysis2 7,b7 provides an adequate description of what is being evaluated and1 to the extent possible1 examines the relationship between implementation and impacts of the program or activities being evaluated2 7,c7 provides an analysis of the results achieved by the program or activities with respect to the projected effects for the program or activities2 7,d7 employs experimental designs using random assignment1 when feasible and appropriate1 or other research designs or methodologies that allow for the strongest possible causal inferences when random assignment is not feasible or appropriate2 and 7,e7 may study implementation of the program or activities through a combination of scientifically valid and reliable methods4 7#aj7 ,scientifically valid research ,the term scientifically valid1 used with respect to research1 includes applied research and basic research in which the rationale1 design1 and interpretation are soundly developed in accordance with evidence-based research standards4 7#aa7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#ab7 ,technical assistance ,the term technical assistance means-- 7,a7 assistance in identifying1 selecting1 or designing-- 7i7 evaluations and other research2 or 7ii7 solutions based on evaluations and other research2 7,b7 assistance in interpreting1 analyzing1 and utilizing statistics and evaluations2 and 7,c7 other assistance necessary to applying techniques supported by scientifically valid research4 #c4 ,office of ,labor ,evaluation and ,research 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,department an ,office of ,labor ,evaluation and ,research1 to be headed by a ,chief ,evaluation ,officer1 as described in subsection 7c74 7b7 ,mission ,the mission of the ,office is to coordinate1 manage1 and implement the ,department's evaluation and other research programs4 ,the ,office shall collaborate with agencies in the ,department1 and other ,federal agencies1 to ensure that evaluations of issues related to labor meet evidence-based research standards and that the results of the evaluations are widely disseminated4 7c7 ,chief evaluation officer 7#a7 ,appointment ,the ,secretary shall appoint the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer4 7#b7 ,qualifications ,to be qualified to be appointed as the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer1 an individual shall have substantial knowledge relating to the functions of the ,office1 including a high level of expertise in-- 7,a7 evaluations1 other research1 and policymaking using evaluations and other research that meet evidence-based research standards2 and 7,b7 the management of the activities described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,expert guidance and assistance ,the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer may establish technical and scientific peer review groups and scientific program advisory committees1 for evaluations and other research1 that the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer determines are necessary to carry out the requirements of this section4 7d7 ,functions ,the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer shall-- 7#a7 coordinate1 manage1 and implement a ,department-wide program of evaluations and other research that meet evidence-based research standards2 7#b7 provide leadership in expanding the fundamental knowledge and understanding of issues related to labor2 7#c7 conduct rigorous1 scientifically valid evaluations and other research 7including basic research and applied research71 that will assist agencies in the ,department to measure the effectiveness of programs and activities and progress in meeting and exceeding goals and outcomes2 7#d7 assist agencies in the ,department in meeting statutory requirements for evaluations and reports2 7#e7 assist agencies in the ,department in establishing and refining structures1 resulting from evaluations and other research that meet evidence-based research standards1 for programs1 activities1 and operations2 7#f7 assist agencies in the ,department in using findings and other results from evaluations and other research that meet evidence-based research standards2 7#g7 measure the impacts of core programs and activities1 evaluate new programs and activities1 and test the relative effectiveness of alternative practices for programs and activities2 7#h7 carry out significant data analytics activities to strengthen management1 evaluations1 and other research1 for programs and activities2 7#i7 conduct and evaluate pilot and demonstration programs that will assist in identifying effective approaches in addressing issues related to labor2 7#aj7 establish necessary procedures for technical and scientific peer review of the evaluations and other research carried out by the ,office2 7#aa7 solicit and consider the recommendations of stakeholders in order to ensure there is broad and regular public and professional input in the planning and carrying out of the activities of the ,office2 7#ab7 identify priority topics that may require long-term evaluation and other research2 7#ac7 coordinate evaluation1 other research1 and related activities carried out by the ,office with such evaluation1 research1 and activities carried out by other agencies in the ,federal ,government2 and 7#ad7 widely disseminate evaluation and other research results and information through the ,clearinghouse for ,labor ,evaluation and ,research described in subsection 7f7 and through other appropriate means described in section #b7e71 in manners that are accessible to a broad range of stakeholders4 7e7 ,standards for conduct of evaluation and research ,in carrying out the functions under this section1 the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer shall ensure that the related activities-- 7#a7 meet evidence-based research standards2 7#b7 utilize rigorous methods that are appropriate and feasible2 7#c7 promote best practices that are grounded on scientifically valid evaluation and other research1 as the case may be2 7#d7 take into account legislative requirements and reflect the interests and needs of agencies in the ,department and other stakeholders2 7#e7 are objective1 neutral1 and free of undue influence or the appearance of such influence2 7#f7 are conducted in a transparent and timely manner1 and that the results of the activities are disseminated in a timely manner2 and 7#g7 are conducted in an ethical manner4 7f7 ,clearinghouse for labor evaluation and research ,the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer shall maintain a ,clearinghouse for ,labor ,evaluation and ,research that-- 7#a7 reviews evaluations and other research on issues related to labor1 to determine if the evaluations and other research meet evidence-based research standards2 7#b7 promotes accessibility and public awareness of the results of evaluations and other research that meet the standards among practitioners1 researchers1 policymakers1 and the public2 7#c7 encourages the use of reviewed evaluations and other research that meet the standards to inform decisions relating to appropriate policies and programs and activities2 7#d7 assesses the quality of evaluations and other research that examine the effectiveness of particular policies and programs and activities2 and 7#e7 synthesizes evaluations and other research within a topic area1 highlights gaps in the literature1 and identifies areas in which further evaluations and other research may be needed4 7g7 ,performance of functions 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the functions of the ,office under this section1 the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer may-- 7,a7 award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to carry out activities described in this section1 through-- 7i7 a process that complies with requirements for full and open competition under chapter #cc of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7ii7 a peer review process1 when practicable2 and 7,b7 provide technical assistance to-- 7i7 support agencies in the ,department to conduct scientifically valid evaluations and other research2 7ii7 coordinate activities1 as necessary1 with other ,departments that gather data2 and 7iii7 assist1 as appropriate1 other entities conducting evaluations and other research4 7#b7 ,subgrants ,the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer may authorize entities receiving grants or contracts under this section to award subgrants or subcontracts to carry out activities described in this section4 7h7 ,report ,the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer shall1 not less often than once every #b years1 prepare and publicly release1 including to the ,secretary1 the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives1 a report that contains-- 7#a7 a description of the activities carried out by the ,office1 including activities carried out through grants1 contracts1 and cooperative agreements funded by the ,office1 during the fiscal years prior to the release of the report2 7#b7 the activities undertaken to widely disseminate evaluation and other research results and information in a manner that is accessible to a broad range of stakeholders2 and 7#c7 a description of how the activities of the ,office are consistent with the principles of scientifically valid research and the priorities and mission of the ,office4 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjag through #bjba4