,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hcia ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #bd1 #bjbj,mr4 ,trone introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,a ,,bill ,to support pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships within the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act1 specifically with regard to the justice-impacted population4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,strengthening ,apprenticeships for ,justice-,impacted ,communities ,act4 #b4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to support pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships within the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act1 specifically with regard to the justice-impacted population4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,apprentice ,the term apprentice means a worker who-- 7,a7 is not younger than age #af1 or 7where a higher minimum age standard is specified by law7 not younger than that age2 and 7,b7 is employed through an apprenticeship program that meets the required standards for an apprenticeship program4 7#b7 ,apprenticeable occupation ,the term apprenticeable occupation means an occupation which is specified by industry and which-- 7,a7 involves skills that are customarily learned in a practical way through a structured1 systematic program of on-the-job supervised learning2 7,b7 is clearly identified and commonly recognized throughout an industry2 7,c7 involves the progressive attainment of manual1 mechanical1 or technical skills and knowledge which1 in accordance with the industry standard for the occupation1 would require the completion of not less than #b1jjj hours of on-the-job learning to attain1 unless an alternative requirement is put forth by the employer and sponsor that reflects industry standards and is accepted by the ,secretary2 and 7,d7 requires related instruction to supplement the on-the-job learning4 7#c7 ,apprenticeship program ,the term apprenticeship program includes a program that-- 7,a7 is registered under the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7commonly known as the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act2 #ej ,stat4 #ffd1 chapter #ffc2 #bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq472 and 7,b7 culminates in a certificate of completion from the registration agency and a recognized postsecondary credential4 7#d7 ,eligible applicant ,the term eligible applicant means a consortium of entities that shall include #a or more representatives from each of the following3 7,a7 ,a local educational agency1 area career and technical education school1 educational service agency1 or postsecondary educational institution4 7,b7 ,in a ,state with a ,state registration agency1 that registration agency4 7,c7 ,an industry or business1 consisting of an employer1 a group of employers1 a trade association1 a professional association1 or an entity that sponsors an apprenticeship program4 7,d7 ,a ,state workforce development board or local workforce development board4 7,e7 ,an ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 or ,tribal educational agency4 7,f7 ,labor organization that has responsibility for the administration of an apprenticeship program associated with the industry or sector or occupation related to the covered apprenticeship1 including those sponsored by a joint labor-management organization4 7,g7 ,a qualified intermediary4 7,h7 ,community-based organizations with significant expertise in supporting such programs4 7,i7 ,in-demand industry sector employers4 7#e7 ,justice-,impacted individual ,the term justice-impacted individual means an individual who has been arrested or convicted of a crime1 including an individual who is currently or formerly incarcerated in a ,federal or ,state prison1 jail1 or juvenile facility4 7#f7 ,new2 existing ,the term new or existing1 used with respect to a program1 means a program that was new or existing1 respectively1 as of the day the eligible applicant involved submitted the application for the grant involved4 7#g7 ,pre-apprentice ,the term pre-apprentice means a participant in a pre-apprenticeship program4 7#h7 ,pre-apprenticeship program 7,a7 ,in general ,the term pre-apprenticeship program means a training model or program1 or training according to a set of strategies1 that-- 7i7 is designed to assist individuals who do not meet the minimum qualifications for selection into an apprenticeship program1 established in a sponsor's apprenticeship standards1 to meet the qualifications2 7ii7 is carried out by an entity that maintains a documented partnership with at least one sponsor of an apprenticeship program2 7iii7 is a form of structured workplace education and training in which at least #b of the entities described in subparagraph 7,b7 collaborate with an education provider to provide formal instruction that will introduce participants to the skills1 competencies1 and materials used in one or more apprenticeable occupations2 7iv7 is designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in an apprenticeship program2 7v7 is carried out in a manner that includes proper observation of supervision and safety protocols1 including paid1 on-the-job learning under the supervision of skilled employee mentors2 7vi7 is carried out in a manner that does not displace a paid employee2 and 7vii7 includes-- 7,i7 training and a curriculum that-- 7aa7 are based on and aligned with national1 ,state1 or local industry standards1 with the quality of the training leading to such a standard reviewed by a recipient of ,federal funds2 7bb7 are reviewed and approved annually by the sponsors of apprenticeships within the documented partnership2 7cc7 will prepare individuals1 with the skills and competencies needed to enter one or more apprenticeship programs2 7dd7 are aligned with career pathways2 7ee7 include employability skills training1 such as training through career and industry awareness workshops1 training through job readiness courses1 training for ,english ,language ,learners1 adult basic education1 or financial literacy1 or math tutoring1 as appropriate2 7ff7 culminate in a recognized postsecondary credential1 with the quality of the training leading to that credential reviewed by a recipient of ,federal funds2 and 7gg7 accurately simulates the industry and occupational conditions of the apprenticeship program2 7,,ii7 strong recruitment strategies focused on outreach to populations underrepresented at the ,state and local levels in apprenticeship programs1 including individuals with barriers to employment such as justice-connected individuals2 7,,iii7 exposure of participants in such underrepresented populations1 including justice-connected individuals1 to apprenticeship programs and provision of direct assistance to participants in such populations in applying to those programs2 7,,iv7 access to appropriate supportive services1 as defined in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb71 financial planning1 mentoring1 and provision of first-day-of-work necessities2 7,v7 efforts to collaboratively promote the use of apprenticeship programs as a preferred means for employers to develop a skilled workforce and to create career opportunities for individuals2 7,,vi7 facilitated entry or articulation agreements that enable individuals who successfully complete the program described in this paragraph-- 7aa7 to enter directly into an apprenticeship program2 or 7bb7 to earn advanced placement or credit at a postsecondary educational institution for skills and competencies acquired during the program described in this paragraph2 and 7,,vii7 a formal agreement with a sponsor of the apprenticeship program that would enable participants who successfully complete the program described in this paragraph to enter directly into the apprenticeship program 7if a place in the program is available and other necessary requirements for acceptance are satisfied71 and an agreement enabling participants to earn advanced placement or credit at a postsecondary educational institution for skills and competencies acquired during the program described in this paragraph1 including basic academic and technical skills and competencies aligned with the apprenticeable occupation4 7,b7 ,entities ,the entities described in this subparagraph are3 7i7 ,an employer4 7ii7 ,an industry or sector partnership4 7iii7 ,an industry association4 7iv7 ,a labor organization4 7v7 ,a community-based organization4 7#i7 ,registration agency ,the term registration agency means the ,state ,office of ,apprenticeship or ,state apprenticeship agency in a ,state that is responsible for-- 7,a7 approving or denying applications from sponsors for registration of programs under the national apprenticeship system in the ,state or area covered by the registration agency2 and 7,b7 carrying out the responsibilities of supporting the youth apprenticeship1 pre-apprenticeship1 or apprenticeship programs registered by the registration agency4 7#aj7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor1 acting through the ,administrator4 7#aa7 ,state apprenticeship agency ,the term ,state apprenticeship agency means the ,state apprenticeship agency1 acting in coordination with the ,state agency with responsibility for workforce investment activities under chapters #b and #c of subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caba et seq41 #caca et seq474 #d4 ,grant program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,labor1 in consultation with the ,attorney ,general1 the ,secretary of ,education1 and the ,secretary of ,commerce may award grants to eligible applicants to-- 7#a7 implement novel methods to improve pre-apprenticeship programs or apprenticeship programs available to incarcerated individuals in prisons1 jails1 and juvenile facilities2 7#b7 improve existing pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs available to incarcerated individuals in prisons1 jails1 and juvenile facilities2 7#c7 pilot novel approaches to provide apprenticeship training for justice-connected individuals that matches labor force needs2 7#d7 encourage employer participation in programs under the national apprenticeship system that target individuals incarcerated or recently incarcerated1 which may include-- 7,a7 providing financial assistance to employers to support costs related to the program1 such as training incumbent workers as mentors or employees supervising the on-the-job learning2 or 7,b7 supporting the cost of related instruction or wages for program participants during related instruction2 7#e7 provide technical assistance to pre-apprentices and apprentices to help navigate and obtain supportive services1 including childcare1 transportation1 mental health and substance use disorder treatment1 assistance in obtaining health insurance coverage1 and assistance in accessing the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq471 the special supplemental nutrition program for women1 infants1 and children established by section #ag of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf71 and housing2 and 7#f7 build and strengthen partnerships among community-based organizations1 public entities1 and registered apprenticeships to smooth transition between pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeship programs1 and to smooth transition during and post-release4 7b7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section-- 7#a7 shall be for a period of not more than #c years2 and 7#b7 may be extended for not more than #a additional #b-year period1 if the grant recipient demonstrates to the ,secretary that the recipient-- 7,a7 has effectively implemented or improved apprenticeship programs2 and 7,b7 has improved outcomes for1 as applicable1 apprentices and pre-apprentices1 as demonstrated through levels on indicators defined in performance indicators under section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a774 7c7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section for a project involving an apprenticeship program1 an eligible applicant shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including1 at a minimum-- 7#a7 a designation of the member of the eligible applicant that will be the lead applicant1 and the member of such consortium that will be the fiscal agent1 for the eligible applicant2 7#b7 a description of each member of the eligible applicant and the role of each member in carrying out the project1 which shall1 at a minimum1 describe the eligible applicant's-- 7,a7 plan to assist the program participants in obtaining the documentation and work authorization necessary to participate in such program2 7,b7 partnerships with organizations that will assist program participants in accessing activities to improve financial literacy and supportive services2 7,c7 plan for how the assessments used to support the placement of potential program participants into a program accurately reflect the participants' skills and competencies2 7,d7 plan to provide information about resources to program participants to address mental health or substance abuse issues2 7,e7 partnerships with organizations that support-- 7i7 the transition from incarceration to re-entry1 such as assistance with housing1 transportation1 and legal services2 and 7ii7 successful completion of an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program2 7,f7 wages and benefits offered to program participants that are commensurate with wages for similar work in the ,state or local area1 as allowable2 7,g7 alignment and necessary supports to comply with and receive the benefits of the ,federal ,bonding ,program and the ,prison ,industry ,enhancement ,certification ,program for employers participating in apprenticeship programs2 and 7,h7 ability to support1 including by providing technical assistance1 small- and medium-sized businesses in the creation of and execution of covered apprenticeship programs2 7#c7 a description of the budget for the project1 the source1 amount1 and use of the matching funds required under subsection 7d71 and how the eligible applicant will continue the project after the grant period ends1 if applicable2 7#d7 a description of-- 7,a7 how the eligible applicant will use the grant funds1 including a description of the activities that the eligible applicant will carry out2 7,b7 how the project or the program involved in the project will be aligned with the labor market needs of in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 and 7,c7 how such funds will directly benefit apprentices or pre-apprentices1 as applicable1 served by the eligible applicant2 7#e7 a description of how the project carried out under the grant will be coordinated with the activities carried out as required for the covered apprenticeship program involved2 7#f7 a description of how the eligible applicant for the project will comply with requirements for an evaluation and report2 7#g7 a description of how the activities assisted under the grant will be coordinated with activities carried out under the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcja et seq471 the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq471 or the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq471 as applicable2 7#h7 a description of how the eligible applicant will equitably recruit and retain participants from nontraditional apprenticeship populations1 including populations that include individuals with barriers to employment such as justice-impacted communities for covered apprenticeship programs2 and 7#i7 an assurance that the eligible applicant will-- 7,a7 provide information to the ,secretary1 as requested1 for such evaluations as the ,secretary may carry out2 and 7,b7 make program performance outcome data available 7in accordance with applicable data privacy laws1 including section #ddd of the ,general ,education ,provisions ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #abcb;g77 to independent evaluators for validation and to enable the evaluators to prepare the evaluations and reports4 7d7 ,matching requirement ,in order to receive a grant from the ,secretary under this section1 each eligible entity shall provide a non-,federal contribution1 including cash and in-kind donations1 in an amount not less than #be percent of the total funds awarded4 7e7 ,limitation for eligible entities ,an eligible entity may not use more than #aj percent of the funds received under a grant for administrative costs4 7f7 ,administrative expenses ,the ,secretary may use not more than #aj percent of the amount appropriated for this section for each fiscal year for administrative expenses to carry out this ,act1 including the expenses of providing the technical assistance and oversight activities under subsection 7g74 7g7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance and oversight to assist the eligible entities in applying for and administering grants awarded under this ,act4 7h7 ,evaluation and report ,each recipient of a grant under this section shall-- 7#a7 annually provide for an independent evaluation of the project carried out under such grant2 7#b7 provide for the independent evaluator to prepare an annual report1 based on the evaluation1 that includes-- 7,a7 a description of how the funds received through the grant were used and how the uses of funds aligned with the description in the application2 and 7,b7 information on-- 7i7 for a project involving an existing covered apprenticeship program1 the performance of the grant recipient with respect to1 at a minimum1 the indicators of performance under section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a77i7 under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act1 with the performance data disaggregated by-- 7,i7 the program type 7apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program7 assisted under the grant2 and 7,,ii7 race1 ethnicity1 sex1 age1 and membership in a population specified in section #c7bd7 of that ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb7bd772 and 7ii7 for a grant involving a new apprenticeship program1 the performance of the grant recipient-- 7,i7 for reports submitted during the first #cf months after the project involved begins-- 7aa7 that consists of a quantitative and qualitative analysis of program development1 including participant engagement and recruitment of partners1 employers1 and potential covered apprentices2 and 7bb7 on the indicators of performance described in subclause 7,i71 as such performance information becomes available2 and 7,,ii7 for reports submitted later than that first #cf months1 the performance of the grant recipient with respect to1 at a minimum1 the indicators described in subclause 7,i71 with the performance data disaggregated as described in subclause 7,i72 and 7#c7 submit the report-- 7,a7 for a grant that relates to an apprenticeship program1 to the registration agency through which the program is registered2 and 7,b7 for a grant that relates to a pre-apprenticeship program1 to the ,state apprenticeship agency4 #e4 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this ,act-- 7#a7 shall use at least #e percent of the grant funds to provide direct financial assistance to apprentices1 pre-apprentices1 or youth apprentices through emergency grants to support their financial needs to enter1 remain enrolled in1 and complete such program1 such as support for the related costs of supplies and equipment1 courses1 transportation1 child care1 and housing2 and 7#b7 may use funds for any of the following activities3 7,a7 ,any of the activities under section #d7;a74 7,b7 ,to carry out grant requirements1 including program evaluation and reporting requirements4 #f4 ,research and information sharing 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established a task force1 to be known as the ,interagency ,task ,force on ,strengthening ,employment ,opportunities and ,outcomes for ,justice-,impacted ,communities that shall identify1 evaluate1 and make recommendations regarding-- 7#a7 best practices relating to apprenticeship training for incarcerated individuals in prisons1 jails1 and juvenile facilities2 and 7#b7 ways in which ,federal agencies can better coordinate to support justice-impacted individuals with success and completion of pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs4 7b7 ,membership ,the ,task ,force shall be composed of the heads of the following ,federal departments and agencies1 or their designees3 7#a7 ,justice-impacted individuals4 7#b7 ,the ,department of ,labor4 7#c7 ,the ,department of ,justice4 7#d7 ,the ,department of ,education4 7#e7 ,the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7#f7 ,the ,bureau of ,prisons4 7#g7 ,the ,small ,business ,administration4 7#h7 ,the ,department of ,education4 7#i7 ,the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#aj7 ,the ,department of ,commerce4 7#aa7 ,the ,department of ,transportation4 7#ab7 ,the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#ac7 ,the ,u4,s4 ,equal ,employment ,opportunity ,commission4 7#ad7 ,the ,white ,house ,office of ,faith-,based and ,neighborhood ,partnerships4 7#ae7 ,the ,office of ,personnel ,management4 7#af7 ,the ,office of ,management and ,budget4 7#ag7 ,a ,governor4 7#ah7 ,a representative of labor organizations who have responsibility for the administration of an apprenticeship program1 including those sponsored by a joint labor-management organization and from nontraditional apprenticeship industries or occupations4 7#ai7 ,the ,u4,s4 ,chamber of ,commerce4 7#bj7 ,the ,corporation for ,national and ,community ,services4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,task ,force shall produce a report that identifies-- 7#a7 evidence-based research1 policies1 strategies1 and programming that support successful completion of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships by justice impacted individuals2 and 7#b7 barriers to successful completion of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships by justice impacted individuals4 #g4 ,office of ,correctional ,apprenticeships ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 in consultation with the ,attorney ,general and ,director of ,bureau of ,prisons1 shall establish an ,office of ,correctional ,apprenticeships to-- 7#a7 ensure that all ,federal correctional institutions provide quality pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs for incarcerated individuals that pay fair and graduated wages2 7#b7 be a nationwide repository for research1 policies1 and best practices in correctional education and training2 and 7#c7 offer training and technical assistance for ,state prison systems and employers seeking to operate or improve-- 7,a7 corrections-based pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs2 or 7,b7 pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs that support justice-connected individuals4