H.R. 7242

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7242 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7242 To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to train individuals in construction trades and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 27, 2026 Ms. Bynum 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 train individuals in construction trades 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 ``Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. HOMEBUILDERS CORPS. (a) Residential Construction Initiative.--Section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Residential Construction Initiative.--In carrying out the activities under this subtitle, the Secretary shall prioritize the expansion of training programs in residential construction trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical trades, masonry, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.''. (b) Employer Incentives for Hiring Job Corps Graduates.--Section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(g) Employer Incentive Program for Hiring Job Corps Graduates.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall establish a program to provide grants to residential construction firms that-- ``(A) hire a graduate of a Job Corps residential construction program within 6 months of the graduate completing such program; and ``(B) employ such graduate for a consecutive 12- month period. ``(2) Amount.--A grant awarded under this Act shall be in an amount equal to $5,000. ``(3) Certification.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, the residential construction firm shall submit to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a W-2, payroll tax filings, or any other documentation to verify the firm employed the Job Corps graduate for a consecutive 12-month period.''. (c) Industry Partnerships; Authorization of Appropriations.-- Subtitle C of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.) is amended-- (1) by redesignating section 162 as section 163; (2) by inserting after section 161 the following: ``SEC. 162. INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP AND CURRICULA ALIGNMENT. ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall facilitate agreements between the Secretary and large trade associations that operate in the residential construction industry for such associations to accept Job Corps graduates into registered apprenticeship programs related to residential construction. ``(b) Curricula Update.--Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of the Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026, and for each 24-month period thereafter, the Secretary shall ensure that each workforce council reviews and updates residential construction curricula to incorporate new construction technologies.''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 164. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS. ``There are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out-- ``(1) the grant program described in section 148(g); ``(2) the prioritization requirement described in section 148(f); and ``(3) the activities described in section 162.''. <all>