,i #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #eecb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #ai1 #bjbe,mr4 ,smith of ,washington introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,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 direct the ,secretary of ,education to establish a program to facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain ,states1 and for other purposes4 ,i #aja4 ,tuition-free community college grant and support program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to each ,state that submits a complete application under subsection 7b7 to-- 7#a7 facilitate tuition-free community college for eligible students2 7#b7 award subgrants to eligible institutions for the improvement of the capacity of institutions to provide supportive services2 and 7#c7 award subgrants to eligible institutions for the provision of direct grants to student to address non-tuition costs to meet the growing demand from employers for workers with postsecondary credentials4 7b7 ,application ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 a ,state shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such form1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,secretary determines appropriate1 including a ,state plan describing the following3 7#a7 ,interagency committee 7,a7 ,in general ,a plan to formalize an interagency committee within such ,state to-- 7i7 evaluate gaps and opportunities in the ,state workforce1 higher education1 childcare1 and human services systems2 and 7ii7 maximize ,federal and ,state resources to support pathway development that increases economic mobility and recognized postsecondary credential attainment4 7,b7 ,membership ,an assurance that such committee shall consist of members from the following entities3 7i7 ,state unemployment insurance agency4 7ii7 ,office of the ,state higher education executive officer and public college boards4 7iii7 ,state community college system4 7iv7 ,state departments of health and human services4 7v7 ,state departments of economic development4 7vi7 ,workforce development agencies4 7vii7 ,state or local housing authorities4 7viii7 ,students enrolled in community colleges in the ,state4 7ix7 ,other relevant ,state agencies as determined by the ,state4 7#b7 ,education alignment ,a plan to-- 7,a7 with respect to eligible individuals without a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent1 facilitate the completion of such diploma or recognized equivalent at a community college2 7,b7 ensure that credits received for ,advanced ,placement or ,international ,baccalaureate classes are applied to an equivalent community college course2 and 7,c7 otherwise align the requirements between secondary schools and community colleges in order to increase the accessibility of community college for eligible individuals4 7#c7 ,development ,a plan to-- 7,a7 improve career pathway development1 with special attention to career pathways related to in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified under paragraph 7#ad72 7,b7 increase economic mobility of ,state residents2 and 7,c7 provide access to affordable postsecondary education for ,state residents through a network of coordinated ,state and ,federal support systems designed and implemented by ,state agencies in partnership with public institutions of higher education and public higher education systems4 7#d7 ,credential attainment ,a plan to prioritize secondary and recognized postsecondary credential attainment through-- 7,a7 integrated education and training models2 7,b7 dual enrollment programs2 and 7,c7 an increased number of navigators4 7#e7 ,priority ,a plan to prioritize assistance to individuals-- 7,a7 with a barrier to employment2 7,b7 with incomes below #bjj percent of the poverty level2 or 7,c7 without a recognized postsecondary credential4 7#f7 ,public resources ,a plan to maximize public resources to support the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential1 including with respect to-- 7,a7 transportation2 7,b7 on-campus or off-campus housing2 7,c7 childcare2 7,d7 food assistance2 and 7,e7 other support programs4 7#g7 ,outreach ,a plan to reach eligible individuals without a recognized postsecondary credential1 including with respect to individuals who-- 7,a7 live in high-poverty areas2 7,b7 are first-generation students2 7,c7 are low-income students2 and 7,d7 identify as belonging to other underrepresented student groups4 7#h7 ,recognized postsecondary credential enrollment1 persistence1 retention and completion ,a plan to increase enrollment1 persistence1 retention1 and credential completion by-- 7,a7 developing new1 or expanding existing1 degree and credential programs based on the needs of in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified under paragraph 7#ad72 7,b7 increasing the number of career counselors and navigators2 7,c7 ensuring that eligible students enrolled in community colleges-- 7i7 are not charged tuition or fees2 and 7ii7 are not required to apply ,federal1 ,state1 or private financial assistance 7including scholarships7 to pay for the cost of tuition or fees2 and 7,d7 ensuring that the eligibility of an eligible student enrolled in community college for a ,federal ,pell ,grant under subpart #a of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a et seq47 or other financial assistance is not affected by funds provided under this ,act or private scholarship awards unless the total amount of such student's ,federal ,pell ,grant1 other financial assistance1 and private scholarships exceeds the student's annual cost of attendance4 7#i7 ,cost analyses ,cost analyses for-- 7,a7 providing tuition-free community and technical college pathways to individuals who have not attained-- 7i7 a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent2 or 7ii7 a recognized postsecondary credential1 up to and including a bachelor's degree2 and 7,b7 expanding institutional capacity to meet an increased demand for recognized postsecondary credentials by expanding supportive services1 including with respect to hiring additional-- 7i7 career counselors2 7ii7 navigators2 and 7iii7 other support staff4 7#aj7 ,data collection 7,a7 ,in general ,a plan for data collection efforts to measure program outcomes and evaluate program success1 including by leveraging existing administrative data to track any change in participation in recognized postsecondary credential programs at community colleges4 7,b7 ,content ,an assurance that the ,state that awards subgrants under this title will collect the following data3 7i7 ,with respect to each public institution of higher education-- 7,i7 the number and percentage of students receiving emergency aid2 and 7,,ii7 the average grant amount for each student4 7ii7 ,with respect to each semester or quarter at a public institution of higher education-- 7,i7 rate of retention2 and 7,,ii7 rate of completion of a recognized secondary credential4 7iii7 ,the grade point averages of students receiving emergency aid subgrants4 7iv7 ,other data reported by the ,state4 7v7 ,other data required by the ,secretary4 7#aa7 ,data sharing ,a ,state shall-- 7,a7 provide an interagency data-sharing agreement that facilitates statewide data collection efforts between-- 7i7 ,state agencies that oversee the dispersal of ,state and ,federal benefits2 7ii7 the ,state educational agency2 7iii7 the ,state higher education system2 7iv7 the ,state board2 and 7v7 other agencies determined by the ,secretary to be necessary2 and 7,b7 detail how such agreement will promote cross-agency collaboration and improve recognized postsecondary credential completion4 7#ab7 ,transfer agreements ,a description of-- 7,a7 transfer agreements between #b-year and #d-year public institutions of higher education in such ,state2 and 7,b7 the ways in which the ,state will expand the number of transfer agreements1 including with respect to the facilitation and improvement of credit transfers between institutions4 7#ac7 ,sustaining funds ,the ,state shall describe-- 7,a7 the ways in which such ,state will sustain a tuition-free community college model2 and 7,b7 the amount of ,federal assistance needed to sustain the model described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#ad7 ,in-demand industry sectors or occupations ,a plan to-- 7,a7 identify in-demand industry sectors or occupations in such ,state2 and 7,b7 develop and provide access to pathways to credential and degree programs for jobs in such industries1 giving priority to credential and degree programs that correspond to high-quality jobs in consultation with-- 7i7 the ,state board2 7ii7 the ,state health and human services agency2 7iii7 the ,state board of higher education2 and 7iv7 business industry groups within the ,state4 7#ae7 ,federal programs 7,a7 ,in general ,a description of how the ,state will use amounts under covered programs1 to the extent otherwise permitted by law1 to reduce eligibility and participation requirement barriers in such programs in order to-- 7i7 treat the pursuit of a recognized postsecondary credential as meeting any compliance1 work participation1 and core activity requirements for each such program2 and 7ii7 increase access to and completion of recognized postsecondary credential programs4 7,b7 ,covered programs defined ,in this paragraph1 the term covered programs means-- 7i7 the temporary assistance for needy families program under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja72 7ii7 the ,supplemental ,nutrition ,assistance ,program ,employment and ,training ,program under section #f of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjae72 7iii7 the ,child ,care ,development ,fund under the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh et seq472 and 7iv7 housing assistance programs carried out by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7c7 ,grant amounts ,the ,secretary shall determine grant amounts under subsection 7a7 with respect to each ,state based on the following3 7#a7 ,statewide unemployment and underemployment rates that are #a percentage point above the national average4 7#b7 ,the number of local educational agencies in a ,state that elect to receive special assistance payments under section #aa7;a77#a77;,f7 of the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agei;a7a77#a77;,f774 7#c7 ,a statewide official poverty rate that is #a percentage point above the national average4 7#d7 ,as of the date on which the application is submitted under subsection 7b71 whether the ,state carries out a tuition-free community college program4 7d7 ,funds 7#a7 ,timing ,a grant under this title shall be awarded for a period of #e years1 of which-- 7,a7 a maximum of #a year may be used for planning2 and 7,b7 a minimum of #d years shall be used for implementation4 7#b7 ,federal cost share ,the ,federal cost share of facilitating tuition-free community college for eligible students pursuant to a grant awarded under subsection 7a7 shall be not less than #ajj percent for costs incurred during the #e-year grant period described in paragraph 7#a74 7e7 ,grant uses ,an eligible ,state shall use grant funds awarded under this section-- 7#a7 to implement the ,state plan submitted as part of the application under subsection 7b71 including with respect to data collection and reporting in accordance with paragraph 7#aj7 of such subsection2 and 7#b7 to award subgrants to-- 7,a7 eligible institutions in accordance with section #ajb2 and 7,b7 eligible students in accordance with section #ajc4 7f7 ,eligible student defined ,in this section1 the term eligible student means an individual who-- 7#a7 is at least #ah years of age2 7#b7 does not have a postsecondary credential that is less than a bachelor's degree2 and 7#c7 when used with respect to a ,state1 is a resident of the ,state4 #ajb4 ,subgrants for institutional capacity and wraparound services 7a7 ,in general ,a ,state that receives a grant under section #aja shall award subgrants to eligible institutions for institutional capacity and wraparound services4 7b7 ,application ,an eligible institution seeking a subgrant under this section shall submit to the ,state an application in such form1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,state may require4 7c7 ,subgrant uses ,an eligible institution that receives a subgrant under this section shall use such subgrant funds for implementing activities and services that improve retention and completion of recognized postsecondary credentials1 including-- 7#a7 identifying and addressing the needs of students1 including affordable housing1 childcare1 transportation1 and food2 7#b7 supporting the work of navigators1 including-- 7,a7 providing information to students with respect to eligibility for assistance under other ,federal1 ,state1 and institutional assistance programs2 and 7,b7 connecting students with on-campus and off-campus supportive services2 7#c7 hiring additional staff2 7#d7 increasing access to supportive services by centralizing such services on-campus2 7#e7 offering additional scheduling options for classes with respect to the day1 time1 and location of such classes2 7#f7 improving the transfer of credits between institutions of higher education1 including community colleges2 7#g7 expanding pathways related to in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 7#h7 providing access to technology1 including-- 7,a7 digital literacy courses2 7,b7 computers2 7,c7 software2 and 7,d7 other equipment necessary to attain a recognized postsecondary credential2 and 7#i7 partnering with an entity selected by the ,state to provide technical assistance1 including with respect to-- 7,a7 carrying out the ,state plan under section #aja2 7,b7 awarding subgrants under section #ajc2 7,c7 developing reports under section #ajd2 7,d7 connecting students to public benefits2 and 7,e7 carrying out the activities described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#h74 7d7 ,eligible institution defined ,in this section1 the term eligible institution means an institution-- 7#a7 located in the ,state2 and 7#b7 that is-- 7,a7 a community college that is located in a geographic area that serves local educational agencies that participate1 through the community eligibility provision authorized by the ,healthy1 ,hunger-free ,kids ,act of #bjaj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ageh note et seq47 in-- 7i7 the national school lunch program under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq472 and 7ii7 the school breakfast program under the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agga et seq472 7,b7 a community college that is located in geographic areas with #dj percent of the population at or below the ,federal poverty line2 7,c7 an institution of higher education with an admission rate of #ej percent or higher2 or 7,d7 an institution that is eligible to receive a grant under part ,a or ,b of title ,,iii or title ,v of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq471 including-- 7i7 a historically ,black college or university2 7ii7 a ,hispanic-serving institution2 7iii7 a ,tribal college or university2 7iv7 a minority-serving institution2 and 7v7 a rural-serving institution of higher education4 #ajc4 ,subgrants for emergency aid to students 7a7 ,in general ,a ,state that receives a grant under section #aja shall award subgrants to eligible students for emergency aid4 7b7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible student seeking a subgrant under this section shall submit to the ,state an application in such form1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,state may require4 7#b7 ,notification of receipt ,upon receipt of an application from an eligible student under paragraph 7#a71 the ,state shall notify such student of such receipt in a manner to be determined by the ,state4 7#c7 ,appeal ,if an application submitted by an eligible student under paragraph 7#a7 is denied by the ,state1 such student may appeal such denial in a manner to be determined by the ,state4 7c7 ,timing ,a subgrant awarded under this section shall be for a period of #e years4 7d7 ,contracts ,a ,state may award a contract to a scholarship-granting organization for purposes of-- 7#a7 accepting applications from eligible students under subsection 7b77#a72 and 7#b7 disbursing subgrant funds to eligible students in accordance with subsection 7e77#d74 7e7 ,funds 7#a7 ,administration ,not more than #bj percent of funds awarded under this section may be used for the administration of emergency aid to eligible students4 7#b7 ,direct aid ,not less than #hj percent of funds awarded under this section shall be used to award emergency aid subgrants to eligible students4 7#c7 ,subgrant amounts 7,a7 ,eligible students without dependents ,with respect to an academic year1 a subgrant awarded to an eligible student that does not have a dependent may not exceed #a1ejj4 7,b7 ,eligible students with dependents ,with respect to an academic year1 a subgrant awarded to an eligible student with a dependent may not exceed #b1ejj4 7#d7 ,disbursement of funds ,an institution shall disburse funds to eligible students in a timely manner1 as determined by the ,state4 7#e7 ,federal taxes ,a subgrant under this title may not be considered income for purposes of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7f7 ,eligible student defined ,in this section1 the term eligible student means a student enrolled at a public junior or community college in the applicable ,state and participating in the tuition-free program pursuant to section #aja1 without regard to whether such student submits an application under section #dhc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij71 who is experiencing financial challenges that may affect the ability of such student to remain enrolled at such college1 including-- 7#a7 lack of access to or loss of-- 7,a7 employment 7including a temporary loss of employment72 7,b7 transportation2 7,c7 child care2 7,d7 utilities 7including water and electricity72 or 7,e7 housing2 7#b7 food insecurity2 7#c7 with respect to a student or the dependent of such student1 a medical condition or need1 including-- 7,a7 pregnancy2 and 7,b7 mental health conditions2 and 7#d7 with respect to a student who is a dependent-- 7,a7 the death of a parent or guardian2 or 7,b7 a parent or guardian with a medical condition that results in temporary or permanent loss of employment of such parent or guardian4 #ajd4 ,reports 7a7 ,annual report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after receiving the reports required under subsection 7b7 for a year1 and on an annual basis thereafter1 such ,state shall submit to the ,secretary a report describing-- 7,a7 the uses of funds under this title2 7,b7 progress made in fulfilling the requirements of the grant2 7,c7 with respect to participating community colleges1 rates of-- 7i7 graduation2 7ii7 persistence2 7iii7 transfer2 and 7iv7 attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials2 7,d7 the institutional reports submitted under subsection 7b72 7,e7 the ways in which the ,state is communicating with institutions to-- 7i7 understand the barriers of students1 with respect to eligibility and access1 to public supports2 and 7ii7 use the information described in subparagraph 7,a7 to inform any changes2 7,f7 the ways in which the ,state human services agency and ,state board are aligning the policy goals of such agencies with the policy goals of the ,state higher education agency2 7,g7 changes in access to1 and use of1 public benefits2 7,h7 changes in employment with respect to in-demand industry sectors and high-quality jobs2 7,i7 changes in rates of unemployment and underemployment2 7,j7 other data as provided by the ,state2 and 7,k7 other data as required by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,disaggregation ,the information described in subparagraphs 7,g7 through 7,k7 shall be disaggregated1 to the extent practicable1 by-- 7,a7 race2 7,b7 ethnicity2 and 7,c7 income level4 7b7 ,institution report ,not later than #a year after receiving a subgrant under section #ajb or #ajc1 and on an annual basis thereafter1 an institution shall submit to the ,state a report describing-- 7#a7 the uses of funds2 7#b7 with respect to the period beginning on the date on which a subgrant was received and ending on the date on which the report is submitted1 changes in rates of-- 7,a7 retention2 and 7,b7 graduation2 7#c7 the ways in which such institution increased awareness of1 and access to1 public supports made available through ,state agencies2 and 7#d7 the ways in which such institution made improvements to tracking data with respect to-- 7,a7 the basic needs of students2 7,b7 the financial barriers of students2 and 7,c7 the connection of students to public supports4 7c7 ,public access 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date described in subsection 7a77#a7 each year1 the ,secretary shall make the data from the report submitted by each ,state pursuant to such subsection publicly available and shall include-- 7,a7 a dashboard that provides key metrics2 and 7,b7 downloadable data sets for each participating ,state and participating institution4 7#b7 ,development of metrics ,in developing or adapting the reporting metrics described in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,secretary may consult with the ,director of the ,institute of ,education ,sciences4 #aje4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,business industry group ,the term business industry group means an organization that represents businesses 7including small businesses71 individual employers1 industry clusters1 and individuals from-- 7,a7 business or trade organizations2 7,b7 economic development organizations2 7,c7 nonprofit organizations1 community-based organizations1 or intermediaries2 7,d7 philanthropic organizations2 7,e7 industry associations2 or 7,f7 other organizations determined necessary by the ,state4 7#b7 ,community college ,the term community college has the meaning given the term junior or community college in ,section #cab of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajeh74 7#c7 ,eligible ,state ,the term eligible ,state means a ,state that is a recipient of a grant under section #aja4 7#d7 ,,esea terms ,the terms secondary school and ,secretary have the meanings given such terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#e7 ,,hea terms 7,a7 ,hispanic-serving institution ,the term ,hispanic-serving institution has the meaning given such term in section #ejb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja;a74 7,b7 ,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,c7 ,junior or community college ,the term junior or community college has the meaning given such term in section #ejb7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja;a7a774 7,d7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution includes the entities described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#g7 of section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 7,e7 ,tribal college or university ,the term ,tribal college or university has the meaning given such term in section #caf7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b774 7,f7 ,rural-serving institution of higher education ,the term rural-serving institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section #hfa7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aafaq7b774 7#f7 ,high-quality job ,the term high-quality job means a job that is defined by the interagency committee described in section #aja7;b77#a74 7#g7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#h7 ,,wioa terms 7,a7 ,the terms in-demand industry sector or occupation1 individual with a barrier to employment1 recognized postsecondary credential1 ,state board1 and supportive services have the meanings given such terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7,b7 ,the term integrated education and training has the meaning given such term in section #bjc of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbgb74 7#i7 ,navigator ,the term navigator means an individual who is integrated into the existing community college operation and who works with students to-- 7,a7 understand the eligibility of such students for ,federal1 ,state1 and local financial aid and benefit options2 7,b7 assist such students with the application process for such options2 and 7,c7 connect students with resources on campus and in the community4 #ajf4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this title for fiscal year #bjbf and each of the #d succeeding fiscal years4