H.R. 2281

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2281 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2281

To reauthorize the Job Corps program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

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.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Job Corps Act of 
2025''.

SEC. 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-protege program.--The 
Secretary shall carry out a mentor-
protege 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:

``SEC. 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:

``SEC. 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.''.
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