H.R. 8039 — Introduced in House

I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8039 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 24, 2026Mrs. Bice (for herself and Ms. Jacobs) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce A BILL To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to address workforce gaps, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Workforce and Education Partnership Act of 2026. 2. Amendments to the workforce innovation and opportunity act (a) Youth workforce development programs for high-Demand occupations Section 129(b)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(b)(2)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (D)(v), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (3) by inserting at the end the following: (F) developing partnerships between educational institutions (including area career and technical education schools and institutions of higher education) and employers to create or improve workforce development programs to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the regions of the State, as determined based on the most recent analysis conducted under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 102(b)(1). . (b) Statewide adult workforce development programs for high-Demand occupations Section 134(a)(3)(A) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(3)(A)) is amended— (1) in clause (xiii), by striking and at the end; (2) in clause (xiv), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (3) by inserting at the end the following: (xv) developing partnerships between educational institutions (including area career and technical education schools and institutions of higher education) and employers to create or improve workforce development programs to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the regions of the State, as determined based on the most recent analysis conducted under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 102(b)(1). . (c) Local adult workforce development programs for high-Demand occupations Section 134(d)(1)(A) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(1)(A)) is amended— (1) in clause (xi), by striking and at the end; (2) in clause (xii), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (3) by inserting at the end the following: (xiii) the development of partnerships between educational institutions (including area career and technical education schools and institutions of higher education) and employers to create or improve workforce development programs to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the region, as determined based on the most recent analysis conducted by the local board under section 107(d)(2). .