,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gede ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #i1 #bjbj,mr4 ,lewis introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means ,a ,,bill ,to amend subtitle ,a of title ,,xx of the ,social ,security ,act to provide for grants to conduct demonstration projects designed to provide eligible individuals with the opportunity to obtain education and training for occupations in the fields of transportation and infrastructure that pay well and are expected to experience labor shortages or be in high demand4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,transportation and ,infrastructure ,profession ,opportunity ,grants ,act4 #b4 ,transportation and infrastructure profession opportunity grants ,subtitle ,a of title ,,xx of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acig et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #bjjh the following3 #bjjh;,a4 ,transportation and infrastructure profession opportunity grants 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to increase and improve opportunities and ,federal supports for low-income people1 especially women1 racial or ethnic minorities1 and veterans1 to enter1 follow1 and succeed in a career pathway in transportation and infrastructure professions4 ,by the enactment of this section1 the ,congress intends to enhance these opportunities through partnerships with organizations that specialize in serving these populations4 7b7 ,authority ,to award grants ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,labor and the ,secretary of ,transportation1 shall award grants to eligible entities to conduct demonstration projects that are designed to provide eligible individuals with the opportunity to obtain education and training for transportation and infrastructure professions that pay at least #cjj percent of the ,federal poverty level and are expected to experience labor shortages or be in high demand4 7c7 ,assessment of labor shortage and demand ,in assessing whether a transportation and infrastructure profession experiences labor shortages or is in high demand1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,labor and the ,secretary of ,transportation1 using available ,federal1 ,state1 and local data and other information as the ,secretary may deem appropriate1 shall consider1 with respect to the geographic area proposed to be served by an applicant-- 7#a7 relevant and updated employment and labor market trends to assess historic1 current1 and projected future trends for specific occupations2 7#b7 available occupational wage data to understand earnings potential2 7#c7 local training capacity to fill current and future workforce needs2 7#d7 the workforce needs of transportation and infrastructure employers and agencies2 and 7#e7 racial1 gender1 and economic disparities in pay or promotion rates that may exist in the transportation and infrastructure profession for which the applicant proposes to train1 as well as disparities in pay or promotion rates that may exist between veterans and non-veterans in the profession4 7d7 ,application 7#a7 ,requirements ,an eligible entity applying for a grant to carry out a demonstration project under this section shall submit to the ,secretary an application for the grant that includes the following3 7,a7 ,a description of how the applicant will use a career pathways approach to train eligible individuals for transportation and infrastructure professions that pay1 or will put eligible individuals on a career path to a related occupation that pays1 at least #cjj percent of the ,federal poverty level4 7,b7 ,a description of the adult basic education and literacy activities1 work readiness activities1 training activities1 and case management and career coaching services that the applicant will use to assist eligible individuals to gain work experience1 connection to employers1 and job placement1 and a description of the plan for recruiting1 hiring1 and training staff to provide the case management1 mentoring1 and career coaching services1 under the project directly or through local governmental1 apprenticeship1 educational1 or charitable institutions4 7,c7 ,a demonstration that the applicant has experience working with low-income populations1 or a description of the plan of the applicant to work with a partner organization that has the experience4 7,d7 ,a plan for providing post-employment support and ongoing training as part of a career pathway under the project4 7,e7 ,a description of the support services that the applicant will provide under the project1 including a plan for how child care and transportation support services will be guaranteed and1 if the applicant will provide a cash stipend or wage supplement1 how the stipend or supplement would be calculated and distributed4 7,f7 ,a certification by the applicant that the project development included-- 7i7 consultation with a local workforce development board established under section #ajg of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act2 7ii7 consideration of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models registered under the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7also known as the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act72 7iii7 consideration of career pathway programs in the ,state in which the project is to be conducted2 and 7iv7 a review of the ,state plan under section #ajb or #ajc of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act4 7,g7 ,a description of the availability and relevance of recent labor market information and other pertinent evidence of in-demand jobs or worker shortages4 7,h7 ,a certification that the applicant will directly provide or contract for the training services described in the application4 7,i7 ,a commitment by the applicant that1 if the grant is made to the applicant1 the applicant will-- 7i7 during the planning period for the project1 provide the ,secretary with any information needed by the ,secretary to establish adequate data reporting and administrative structure for the project2 7ii7 hire a person to direct the project not later than the end of the planning period applicable to the project2 7iii7 accept all technical assistance offered by the ,secretary with respect to the grant2 7iv7 participate in such in-person grantee conferences as are regularly scheduled by the ,secretary2 7v7 provide all data required by the ,secretary under subsection 7h72 and 7vi7 notify the local disabled veterans' outreach program specialists under section #dajc;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 and the local veterans' employment representatives under section #dajd of such title1 of the grantee's outreach plan for advertising training opportunities to potential participants in the project4 7#b7 ,preferences ,in considering applications for a grant for a demonstration project under this section1 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall give preference to-- 7i7 applications submitted by applicants who have business and community partners in each of the following categories3 7,i7 ,state and local government agencies and social service providers1 including a ,state or local entity that administers a ,state program funded under part ,a of title ,,iv2 7,,ii7 institutions of higher education1 apprenticeship programs1 and local workforce development boards established under section #ajg of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act2 and 7,,iii7 transportation and infrastructure employers1 transportation and infrastructure industry or sector partnerships1 labor unions1 and labor-management partnerships2 7ii7 applications that include opportunities for mentoring or peer support1 and make career coaching available1 as part of the case management plan2 7iii7 applications that include a commitment to providing project participants with a cash stipend or wage supplement2 7iv7 applications which have an emergency cash fund to assist project participants financially in emergency situations2 7v7 applications submitted by1 or in partnership with1 an eligible entity with a history of providing specialized programming or training to low-income women1 racial or ethnic minorities1 or veterans2 and 7vi7 applications submitted by eligible entities that include plans to provide one or more of the supports described in subsection 7e77#b77;,b72 and 7,b7 may give preference to-- 7i7 applicants that will administer the training program through1 or in partnership with1 an institution of higher education that is a ,historically ,black ,college or ,university or a minority-serving institution2 7ii7 applicants that will administer the training program through1 or in partnership with1 institutions of higher education at which at least #ej percent of students receive ,pell ,grants under subpart #a of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a72 7iii7 applicants that will administer the training program through1 or in partnership with1 an ,indian tribe or a tribal organization2 and 7iv7 applicants that will administer the training program through1 or in partnership with1 a territory or an eligible entity in a territory4 7e7 ,use of grants 7#a7 ,in general ,an entity to which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section shall use the grant in accordance with the approved application for the grant4 7#b7 ,support to be provided 7,a7 ,required support ,a project for which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section shall include the following3 7i7 ,an assessment for adult basic skill competency1 and provision of adult basic skills education if necessary for lower-skilled eligible individuals to enroll in the project and go on to enter and complete post-secondary training1 through means including the following3 7,i7 ,establishing a network of partners that offer pre-training activities for project participants who need to improve basic academic skills or ,english language proficiency before entering a transportation and infrastructure occupational training career pathway program4 7,,ii7 ,offering resources to enable project participants to continue advancing adult basic skill proficiency while enrolled in a career pathway program4 7,,iii7 ,embedding adult basic skill maintenance as part of ongoing post-graduation career coaching and mentoring4 7ii7 ,a guarantee that child care is an available and affordable support service for project participants through means such as the following3 7,i7 ,referral to1 and assistance with1 enrollment in a subsidized child care program4 7,,ii7 ,direct payment to a child care provider if a slot in a subsidized child care program is not available or reasonably accessible4 7,,iii7 ,payment of co-payments or associated fees for child care4 7iii7 ,case management plans that include career coaching 7with the option to offer appropriate peer support and mentoring opportunities to help develop soft skills and social capital71 which may be offered on an ongoing basis before1 during1 and after initial training as part of a career pathway model4 7iv7 ,a plan to provide project participants with commuting costs through means such as the following3 7,i7 ,referral to1 and assistance with enrollment in1 a subsidized transportation program4 7,,ii7 ,if a subsidized transportation program is not reasonably available1 direct payments to subsidize commuting costs4 7v7 ,assistance with programs and activities1 including legal assistance1 deemed necessary to address arrest or conviction records as an employment barrier4 7,b7 ,allowed support ,the goods and services provided under a project for which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section may include the following3 7i7 ,a cash stipend that is at least monthly4 7ii7 ,a reserve fund for financial assistance to project participants in emergency situations4 7iii7 ,tuition1 and training materials such as books1 software1 uniforms1 shoes1 helmets1 eye goggles1 and other personal protective equipment4 7iv7 ,in-kind resource donations such as interview clothing and conference attendance fees4 7v7 ,assistance with accessing and completing high school equivalency or adult basic education courses as necessary to achieve success in the project and make progress toward career goals4 7vi7 ,licensing and examination fees needed for professional certification4 7vii7 ,other support services as deemed necessary for family well-being1 success in the project1 and progress toward career goals4 7,c7 ,treatment of support for purposes of means-tested programs ,any goods or services provided to an eligible individual participating in a project for which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section shall not be considered income1 and shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the eligibility of the individual for1 or amount of benefits to be provided to the individual1 under any means-tested program4 7#c7 ,training ,the number of hours of training provided to an eligible individual under a project for which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section1 for a recognized postsecondary credential1 including an industry-recognized credential1 which is awarded in recognition of attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation 7including a certificate awarded by a local workforce development board established under section #ajg of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act71 shall be-- 7,a7 not less than the number of hours of training required for certification in that level of skill by the ,state in which the project is conducted2 or 7,b7 if there is no such requirement1 such number of hours of training as the ,secretary finds is necessary to achieve that skill level4 7#d7 ,income limitation ,an entity to which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section shall not use the grant to provide support to a person who is not an eligible individual4 7#e7 ,inclusion of ,,tanf recipients ,in the case of a project for which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section that is conducted in a ,state that has a program funded under part ,a of title ,,iv1 at least #aj percent of the eligible individuals to whom support is provided under the project shall meet the income eligibility requirements under the program1 without regard to whether the individuals receive benefits or services directly under the program4 7#f7 ,prohibition ,an entity to which a grant for a demonstration project is made under this section shall not use the grant for purposes of entertainment1 except that case management and career coaching services may include celebrations of specific career-based milestones such as completing a semester1 graduation1 or job placement4 7f7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance-- 7#a7 to assist eligible entities in applying for grants for demonstration projects under this section2 7#b7 that is tailored to meet the specific needs of grantees at each stage of the administration of projects for which grants for demonstration projects are made under this section2 7#c7 that is tailored to meet the specific needs of eligible entities in carrying out demonstration projects for which a grant is made under this section2 and 7#d7 to facilitate the exchange of information among eligible entities regarding best practices and promising practices used in the projects4 7g7 ,evaluation 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall1 by grant1 contract1 or interagency agreement1 conduct evaluations of the demonstration projects for which a grant is made under this section4 7#b7 ,rule of interpretation ,evaluations conducted pursuant to this subsection may include a randomized controlled trial1 but this subsection shall not be interpreted to require an evaluation to include such a trial4 7h7 ,reports 7#a7 ,to the ,secretary ,an eligible entity awarded a grant to conduct a project under this section shall submit interim reports to the ,secretary on the activities carried out under the project1 and1 on the conclusion of the project1 a final report on the activities4 ,each such report shall include data on participant outcomes related to earnings1 employment in transportation and infrastructure professions1 graduation rate1 graduation timeliness1 credential attainment1 participant demographics1 and other data specified by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,to the ,congress ,during each ,congress1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate a report-- 7,a7 on the demographics of the participants in the projects for which a grant is made under this section2 7,b7 on the rate of which project participants completed all activities under the projects2 7,c7 on the employment credentials acquired by project participants2 7,d7 on the employment of project participants on completion of activities under the projects1 and the earnings of project participants at entry into employment2 7,e7 on best practices and promising practices used in the projects2 7,f7 on the nature of any technical assistance provided to grantees under this section2 7,g7 on1 with respect to the period since the period covered in the most recent prior report submitted under this paragraph-- 7i7 the number of applications submitted under this section1 with a separate statement of the number of applications referred to in subsection 7d77#b77;,a77iii72 7ii7 the number of applications that were approved1 with a separate statement of the number of such applications referred to in subsection 7d77#b77;,a77iii72 and 7iii7 the #aj individual applications not approved for a grant for a demonstration project under this section that showed the greatest potential to meet the purpose of this section1 including the estimated number of beneficiaries of each such application2 7,h7 that includes an assessment of the effectiveness of the projects with respect to addressing transportation and infrastructure professions workforce shortages or in-demand jobs2 and 7,i7 on the design1 nature1 and results of the evaluations required by subsection 7g71 including whether a randomized controlled trial was used in the evaluation and1 if so1 the reasons for doing so4 7i7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,career pathway ,the term career pathway has the meaning given that term in section #c7g7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act4 7#b7 ,commuting costs ,the term commuting costs means the cost of public transit1 ride-sharing1 or gasoline for a personal vehicle1 for commuting between a project participant's residence and any site at which the participant receives services under the project4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means any of the following entities that demonstrates in an application submitted under this section that the entity has the capacity to fully develop and administer the project described in the application3 7,a7 ,a local workforce development board established under section #ajg of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act4 7,b7 ,a ,state or territory1 a political subdivision of a ,state or territory1 or an agency of a ,state1 territory1 or such a political subdivision1 including a ,state1 territory1 or local entity that administers a ,state or territory program funded under part ,a of title ,,iv4 7,c7 ,an ,indian ,tribe or a ,tribal organization4 7,d7 ,an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja or #ajb7;a77#a77;,b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife74 7,e7 ,a nonprofit organization described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 a labor organization1 or an entity with shared labor-management oversight1 that has a demonstrated history of providing transportation and infrastructure profession training to eligible individuals4 7#d7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means-- 7,a7 an individual whose family income does not exceed #bjj percent of the ,federal poverty level2 or 7,b7 an individual who is receiving services under section #dgg4 7#e7 ,federal poverty level ,the term ,federal poverty level means the poverty line 7as defined in section #fgc7b7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiha1 including any revision required by such section applicable to a family of the size involved74 7#f7 ,historically ,black ,college or ,university ,the term ,historically ,black ,college or ,university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution in section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#g7 ,indian ,tribe2 ,tribal organization ,the terms ,indian ,tribe and ,tribal organization have the meaning given the terms in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej;b74 7#h7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja or #ajb7;a77#a77;,b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife4 7#i7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution has the meaning given the term-- 7,a7 ,hispanic-serving institution in section #ejb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja;a72 7,b7 ,tribal college or university in section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c72 7,c7 ,alaska ,native-serving ,institution in section #cag7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;d7b772 7,d7 ,native ,hawaiian-serving institution in section #cag7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;d7b772 7,e7 ,predominantly ,black ,institution in section #cga7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7c772 7,f7 ,asian ,american and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islander-serving institution in section #cga7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7c772 and 7,g7 ,native ,american-serving nontribal institution in section #cga7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7c774 7#aj7 ,racial or ethnic minorities ,the term racial or ethnic minorities means persons of ,black or ,african-,american1 ,american ,indian1 ,alaska ,native1 ,asian1 ,native ,hawaiian1 or ,pacific ,islander descent1 and ,hispanic persons 7including those of ,mexican1 ,puerto ,rican1 ,cuban1 ,central ,american1 or ,south ,american descent74 7#aa7 ,randomized controlled trial ,the term randomized controlled trial means an evaluation that employs random assignment of eligible individuals to a treatment group that receives the project component under evaluation and a control group that does not1 in order to establish causal links between assistance and outcomes4 7#ab7 ,state ,the term ,state means the #ej ,states of the ,united ,states and the ,district of ,columbia4 7#ac7 ,territory ,the term territory means the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 and ,american ,samoa4 7#ad7 ,transportation and infrastructure profession ,the term transportation and infrastructure profession means any profession requiring certification or training to construct1 maintain1 manage1 operate1 or repair roads1 bridges1 tunnels1 rails1 airports1 seaports1 water and sewage systems1 utility systems1 or public buildings1 or to operate public transit4 7j7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,out of any funds in the ,treasury of the ,united ,states not otherwise appropriated1 there are appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #ajj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4 7#b7 ,allocation of funds ,of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year under paragraph 7#a7 of this subsection-- 7,a7 #ij percent shall be available for demonstration project grants under subsection 7e77#a72 7,b7 #f percent1 plus all amounts referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 that remain unused after all grant awards are made for the fiscal year1 shall be available for the provision of technical assistance and associated staffing2 and 7,c7 #d percent shall be available for studying the effects of the demonstration projects for which a grant is made under this section1 and for associated staffing1 for the purpose of supporting the rigorous evaluation of the demonstration projects1 and supporting the continued study of the short-1 medium-1 and long-term effects of all such projects4 7k7 ,nonapplicability of preceding sections of this subtitle 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the preceding sections of this subtitle shall not apply to a grant awarded under this section4 7#b7 ,exception for certain limitations on the use of grants ,section #bjje7;a7 7other than paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 7#e71 7#f71 and 7#h77 shall apply to a grant awarded under this section to the same extent and in the same manner as such section applies to payments to ,states under this subtitle4 4