H.R. 2099

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2099 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2099

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a 
study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development 
programs, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 14, 2025

Mr. Allen 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 authorize a 
study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development 
programs, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

Section 101(d)(3)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3111(d)(3)(D)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and jobseekers'' and inserting 
``jobseekers, and entrepreneurs''; and
(2) by inserting ``and entrepreneurial skills development 
and microenterprise services'' after ``occupations''.

SEC. 2. IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS OF TRAINING SERVICES.

Section 122(a)(2)(C) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(a)(2)(C)) is amended by inserting ``and providers 
of entrepreneurial skills development programs'' after 
``organizations''.

SEC. 3. REQUIRED LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES.

Section 134(c)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (iv)--
(A) in subclause (I)--
(i) in item (aa), by striking ``; and'' and 
inserting a semicolon; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(cc) provision of 
information on 
entrepreneurship, as 
appropriate; and'';
(B) in subclause (II), by adding ``and'' after the 
semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(III) referral to microenterprise 
services, as appropriate;'';
(2) in clause (vi)--
(A) in subclause (I), by inserting ``, which may 
include resources to support entrepreneurship,'' after 
``listings''; and
(B) in subclause (III), by inserting ``, which may 
include entrepreneurship opportunities,'' after 
``demand''; and
(3) in clause (xiii), by inserting ``or entrepreneurial 
opportunities'' after ``workplace''.

SEC. 4. EVALUATIONS AND RESEARCH.

Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3224) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraph (K) as 
subparagraph (L); and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (J) 
the following:
``(K) Study on entrepreneurial skills development 
programs.--The Secretary shall, through a grant or 
contract, conduct a three-year multistate study on 
entrepreneurial skills development programs, which 
shall include the following:
``(i) A review of--
``(I) successful practices for 
developing entrepreneurial skills of 
individuals;
``(II) evidence-based and other 
best practices for mentoring potential 
entrepreneurs;
``(III) the qualifications needed 
for skills development providers to 
successfully develop the 
entrepreneurial skills of individuals;
``(IV) strategies for engaging 
employers and other private sector 
partners;
``(V) such program outcomes that 
correlate with entrepreneurial success;
``(VI) how such programs 
successfully measure the progress of 
participants in such programs;
``(VII) the extent to which such 
programs lead to industry recognized 
credentials;
``(VIII) the impact, including the 
economic impact, of such programs on 
States and local communities;
``(IX) the extent to which such 
programs affect business development 
and job creation in States and local 
communities;
``(X) how such programs identify 
potential program participants' 
readiness for the program; and
``(XI) the average earnings of 
participants who complete such a 
program three years after the date of 
completion of such program.
``(ii) Recommendations for States and local 
communities to expand access to such 
programs.''; and
(B) in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting ``which shall 
include individuals pursuing entrepreneurship,'' after 
``particular service populations,''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking the third sentence and 
inserting the following: ``Such projects may include 
demonstration and pilot projects relating to promoting self-
employment, promoting entrepreneurship, promoting job creation 
(especially for in-demand industry sectors or occupations), 
averting dislocations, assisting dislocated farmers, assisting 
dislocated fishermen, developing career pathways and 
encouraging advancements, and promoting public works.''.
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