H.R. 2281

119 HR 2281 IH: Strengthening Job Corps Act of 2025
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-03-21
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 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I
 119th CONGRESS  1st Session
 H. R. 2281
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 March 21, 2025
  Ms. Wilson of Florida  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Education and Workforce
 A BILL
To reauthorize the Job Corps program, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Strengthening Job Corps Act of 2025  .
2.
Amendments relating to Job Corps
(a)
Definitions
(1)
In general
Section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3192 ) is amended—
(A)
by amending paragraph (7) to read as follows:
(7)
Job Corps campus
The term  Job Corps campus  means a campus run by an operator selected by the Secretary pursuant to section 147, carrying out Job Corps activities.
 ; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following:
(11)
State
The term  State  has the meaning given the term in section 3, except that such term also includes outlying areas (as defined in section 3).
 .
(2)
Conforming amendments
Subtitle C of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3191 et seq. ) is amended—
(A)
by striking  Job Corps center  each place such term appears and inserting  Job Corps campus ; and
(B)
by striking  Job Corps centers  each place such term appears and inserting  Job Corps campuses .
(b)
Individuals eligible for the Job Corps
Section 144 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3194 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
(1)
not less than age 16 and not more than age 24 on the date of enrollment, except that such maximum age limitation may be waived by the Secretary, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, up to age 28 in the case of an individual with a disability or a justice-involved individual; and
 ;
(B)
by striking paragraph (2); and
(C)
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2) and by amending such paragraph—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  Basic skills deficient  and inserting  An individual with foundational skill needs ;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  A school dropout  and inserting  An opportunity youth ;
(iii)
in subparagraph (D), by inserting  or an individual who is pregnant  before the period;
(iv)
by adding at the end the following:
(G)
(i)
A low-income individual as defined in subsection (h)(4) of section 402A of the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 ) as determined using procedures similar to those in subsection 402a(e) of such section; or
(ii)
a resident of a qualified opportunity zone as defined in  section 1400Z–1(a)  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 ; and
(2)
by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
(b)
Special rule for veterans
A veteran shall be eligible to become an enrollee if the veteran meets the requirements of subsection (a)(1).
 .
(c)
Recruitment, screening, selection, and assignment of enrollees
Section 145(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3195(a) ) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (2)—
(A)
in subparagraph (D), by striking  and  at the end;
(B)
in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(F)
assist one-stop centers and other entities identified in paragraph (3) in developing joint applications for Job Corps, YouthBuild, and youth workforce investment activities under which an applicant may submit a single application for all such programs.
 ; and
(2)
in paragraph (5), by striking the last sentence.
(d)
Job Corps campuses
Section 147 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3197 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by inserting at the end the following:  Such award shall be based upon best value and fair and reasonable pricing. ; and
(ii)
by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
(B)
Considerations
(i)
Student outcomes
In selecting an entity to operate a Job Corps campus, the Secretary shall consider a numeric metric of recent past effectiveness of the entity in assisting opportunity youth to connect to the workforce, to be calculated based on data regarding—
(I)
the percentage of students served by the entity who were in education or training activities, or in unsubsidized employment, during the second quarter after exit from the relevant program;
(II)
the percentage of students served by the entity who were in education or training activities, or in unsubsidized employment, during the fourth quarter after exit from the relevant program;
(III)
the median earnings of students served by the entity who were in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the relevant program;
(IV)
the percentage of students served by the entity who obtained a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, during participation in or within 1 year after exit from the relevant program;
(V)
expected levels of performance established under section 159(c)(2) or similar metrics for recruitment of eligible youth for relevant contracts or grants.
(ii)
Market development
(I)
Mentor-protégé program
The Secretary shall carry out a mentor-protégé program in accordance with section 45 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 657r ) with respect to Job Corps campus operations.
(II)
Past-performance
The Secretary shall publish comparable alternative metrics for entities without previous experience in Job Corps campus operations to demonstrate their past effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of clause (i).
 ; and
(B)
in paragraph (3)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by inserting  high-skill, high-wage, or  before  in-demand ;
(ii)
in subparagraph (C), by striking  Workforce Investment Act of 1998  and inserting  Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ;
(iii)
by redesignating subparagraph (K) as subparagraph (L); and
(iv)
by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following:
(K)
A description of the entity’s ability to demonstrate a record of successfully operating a safe learning and residential environment for opportunity youth.
 ;
(2)
in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:
(2)
High performance
An entity shall be considered to be an operator of a high-performing campus if the Job Corps campus operated by the entity was ranked among the top 25 percent of Job Corps campuses, excluding Civilian Conservation Centers described in subsection (d), for the two most recent preceding program years.
 ;
(3)
in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:
(4)
Direct hire authority
The Secretary of Agriculture may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of  chapter 33  of title 5, United States Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title), a graduate of a Civilian Conservation Center who successfully completed a training program focused on forestry, wildland firefighting, or another topic relating to the mission of the Forest Service directly to a position with the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, for which the candidate meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards.
 ;
(4)
in subsection (f), by striking  2-year  and inserting  4-year ; and
(5)
in subsection (g)(1), by striking  the preceding year for which information is available  and all that follows through the end and inserting  the preceding year for which information is available, such campus has been ranked in the lowest 10 percent of Job Corps campuses. .
(e)
Program activities
Section 148(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3198(a) ) is amended, in the subsection heading, by inserting  Academic  before  Activities .
(f)
Support
Section 150 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3200 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (c), by striking  3 months  and inserting  12 months ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(d)
Period of transition
Notwithstanding the requirements of section 146(b), Job Corps graduates may remain enrolled and a resident of a Job Corps campus for not more than 1 month after graduation, subject to approval by the director of the Job Corps Campus, in order to facilitate their transition into independent living and employment.
 .
(g)
Operations
Section 151 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3201 ) is amended to read as follows:
151.
Operations
(a)
Operating plan
(1)
In general
The provisions of the contract between the Secretary and an entity selected to operate a Job Corps campus shall, including any subsequent modifications to such contract, serve as an operating plan for the Job Corps campus.
(2)
Federal changes to operating plan
The Secretary may require the operator to submit additional information, as the Secretary deems necessary for compliance with any relevant regulations, which shall be considered part of the operating plan.
(3)
Availability
The Secretary shall make the operating plan described in paragraphs (1) and (2), excluding any proprietary information, available on a publicly accessible website.
(b)
Local authorities
Subject to the limitations of their approved budgets, the operators of Job Corps campuses shall have the authority, without prior approval from the Secretary, to—
(1)
hire staff and invest in staff professional development;
(2)
enter into agreements with local partners, such as secondary and postsecondary schools or employers; and
(3)
engage with and educate stakeholders about Job Corps operations and activities.
 .
(h)
Standards of conduct
Section 152 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3202 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), by striking the second sentence;
(2)
by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
(b)
Behavioral management plan
(1)
In general
As part of the operating plan defined in section 151(a), the director of each Job Corps campus shall develop and implement a behavioral management plan, subject to the approval of the Secretary. Such plan shall include student standards of conduct, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and multi-tier systems of supports.
(2)
Disciplinary measures and drug testing
(A)
Disciplinary measures
To promote the proper behavioral standards in the Job Corps, the director of each Job Corps campus shall, consistent with the applicable behavioral management plan described in paragraph (1), have the authority to take appropriate disciplinary measures against enrollees if such director determines that an enrollee has committed a violation of the standards of conduct. The director shall adopt a policy of dismissing enrollees for an act of violence that seriously endangers the safety of students, staff, or the local community, and for illegal activity on the campus.
(B)
Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i)
Controlled substance
The term  controlled substance  has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 802 ).
(ii)
Zero tolerance policy
The term  zero tolerance policy  means a policy under which an enrollee shall be automatically dismissed from the Job Corps after a determination by the director that the enrollee has carried out an act of violence that seriously endangers the safety of students, staff, or the local community or engaged in an illegal activity on the campus.
(3)
Advisory group
The Secretary shall periodically convene an advisory group of Job Corps operators and service providers and subject matter experts to review the reporting data collected under paragraph (5) and provide recommendations for Job Corps behavioral management plans based on evidence-based research regarding effective and equitable behavioral policies.
(4)
Law enforcement agreements
The directors of each Job Corps campus shall enter into an agreement with the relevant local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction regarding the procedures for reporting and investigating potentially illegal activity on Job Corps campuses.
(5)
Incident reporting
The Secretary shall establish procedures for—
(A)
reporting significant health incidents, including substance abuse, self-harm, and accidents resulting in bodily harm; and
(B)
reporting significant behavioral incidents, defined as acts of violence or illegal activity.
(6)
Accountability
The Secretary shall establish standards under which a Job Corps campus shall be required to take performance improvement actions described in section 159(f), based on an evaluation of such Job Corps campus, which shall take into account reporting data collected under paragraph (5) and recommendations of the advisory group pursuant to paragraph (3).
 .
(i)
Experimental projects and technical assistance
Section 156(a) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3206(a) ) is amended to read as follows:
(a)
Projects
The Secretary may carry out experimental, research, or demonstration projects relating to evidence-based strategies for improving the operations of a Job Corps campus that was ranked among the bottom 10 percent of Job Corps campuses. The Secretary may waive any provisions of this subtitle that the Secretary finds would prevent the Secretary from carrying out the projects (other than sections 145, 147, and 159(c)) provided that—
(1)
the project will not result in a reduction in the number of students served; and
(2)
if the Secretary informs the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, in writing, not less than 90 days in advance of issuing such waiver.
 .
(j)
Application of provisions of Federal law
(1)
In general
Section 157 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3207 ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(d)
Service Contract Act
(1)
In general
Operators and service providers, including subcontractors thereto, are subject to and shall be required to abide by  chapter 67  of title 41, United States Code (commonly known as the  McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 ).
(2)
Academic and career technical instructional employees
Notwithstanding section 6701(3)(C) of such chapter, an academic or career technical instructional employee at a Job Corps campus shall be considered a  service employee  for purposes of applying such chapter under paragraph (1).
(3)
Rule of construction
To the extent compensation levels being paid or scheduled to be paid by an employer are, in the aggregate, greater than those determined by the Secretary of Labor to be required under this subsection, or as set forth in a collective bargaining agreement, nothing herein shall be construed to require a reduction of such compensation.
 .
(2)
Effective date
(A)
Agreements in effect on date of enactment
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, subject to appropriations, modify all agreements with operators and service providers in effect as of such date of enactment to include the requirements imposed by the amendment made by paragraph (1).
(B)
Pending solicitations
Upon the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall include the requirements imposed by the amendment made by paragraph (1) in any pending solicitation for an operator or service provider.
(k)
Staffing
(1)
In general
To ensure compliance with  chapter 67  of title 41, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965’), as such chapter is applied by section 157(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the staffing plan and the associated budget of an entity proposing to be an operator or service provider for a Job Corps campus shall incorporate hourly wages (or salaries as appropriate) and fringe benefit costs for occupational classifications at least equal to the wage determination determined by the Secretary of Labor for the locality of the Job Corps campus. In preparing such wage determination, the Secretary shall compare the specific job classifications at the Job Corps campus with those occupations most closely correlated with those employed by public education providers in the locality with the goal of ensuring equivalency to the maximum extent feasible.
(2)
Adjustments permitted
The Secretary may further adjust compensation levels in a contract with an operator or service provider to ensure sufficient availability and retention of qualified personnel in the locality.
(3)
Annual updates
The Secretary shall update hourly wages (or salaries as appropriate) and fringe benefit levels for such occupations covered in this paragraph on an annual basis.
(l)
Special provisions
Section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3208(f) ) is amended—
(1)
by striking  Secretary  and inserting  directors of Job Corps campuses ;
(2)
by striking  the Job Corps or individual  and inserting  such ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:  Any real property acquired shall be directly transferred to the Secretary in accordance with  chapter 5  of title 40 and on a nonreimbursable basis. .
(m)
Management information
Section 159 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3209 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
(4)
Annual reconciliation
Prior to the expiration of any appropriated Job Corps operations funds for any fiscal year, any anticipated unobligated funds may, subject to appropriations, be obligated to projects identified under subsection (h)(1).
 ;
(2)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
(1)
Levels of performance and indicators
(A)
In general
At the start of each contract period, and at least every two program years in the case of Civilian Conservation Centers, the Secretary shall establish expected levels of performance for each Job Corps campus relating to each of the primary indicators of performance for eligible youth described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) using the model described in subparagraph (B).
(B)
Performance model
At least every four years and no more than every two years, the Secretary shall develop a model for establishing the expected levels of performance for each Job Corps campus, in accordance with the following:
(i)
Equity
The model shall account for significant correlations between various factors and student outcomes, including:
(I)
Student demographics, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, documented disabilities, and education level on entry.
(II)
Employment conditions in students’ home communities.
(ii)
Development
The model shall be developed by subject matter experts in the fields of Job Corps operations, program evaluation, statistical analysis, and related fields using available Job Corps data as well as regional economic data.
(iii)
Transparency
The performance model and the past effectiveness metric identified in section 147(a)(2)(B)(i), including the procedures outlined in section 147(a)(2)(B)(iv), shall be published for comment in the Federal Register.
 ;
(B)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  and  at the end; and
(ii)
by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
(B)
the number of enrollees recruited that meet the requirements of section 144(a); and
(C)
the measurement described in subparagraph (K) of subsection (d)(1).
 ; and
(C)
in paragraph (4)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  and  at the end;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(C)
information on the performance of the Job Corps selection process in section 147(a)(2) with respect to increasing performance as measured pursuant to subparagraph (A), specifically including information on the performance of each Job Corps campus as compared to its annual performance immediately prior to its current operating agreement.
 ;
(3)
in subsection (d)(1)—
(A)
by striking subparagraph (I); and
(B)
by redesignating subparagraphs (J) through (O) as subparagraphs (I) through (N), respectively;
(4)
in subsection (f)—
(A)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraph (E), by adding  or  at the end;
(ii)
in subparagraph (F), by striking  ; or  and inserting a period; and
(iii)
by striking subparagraph (G); and
(B)
by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
(4)
Civilian Conservation Centers
In addition to the primary indicators of performance specified in subsection (c)(1), Civilian Conservation Centers shall be evaluated on their contribution to the nation’s conservation goals by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Labor. If the Secretaries jointly conclude that a Civilian Conservation Center is not meeting these dual performance goals, they may take performance improvement actions described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (2) of this subsection.
 ; and
(5)
in subsection (g)(2)—
(A)
by striking  has entered  and inserting  enters ; and
(B)
by striking  comply  and inserting  attest to compliance .
(n)
Technical amendment
Subtitle C of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3191 et seq. ) is amended by striking  Committee on Education and the Workforce  each place it appears and inserting  Committee on Education and Labor .
(o)
Authorization of appropriations
Section 162 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3212 ) is amended to read as follows:
162.
Authorization of appropriations
(a)
In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle—
(1)
$1,809,857,925 for fiscal year 2026;
(2)
$1,873,202,952 for fiscal year 2027;
(3)
$1,938,765,056 for fiscal year 2028;
(4)
$2,006,621,833 for fiscal year 2029;
(5)
$2,076,853,597 for fiscal year 2030; and
(6)
$2,149,543,473 for fiscal year 2031.
(b)
Construction costs
Of the amount authorized in subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031, $107,800,000 shall be for construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of Job Corps Campuses.
 .