H.R. 8110

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8110 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8110

To establish a grant program within the Department of Labor to support 
the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered 
apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 26, 2026

Ms. Lee of Nevada (for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish a grant program within the Department of Labor to support 
the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered 
apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.

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 ``Cyber Ready Workforce Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term 
``registered apprenticeship program'' means a program 
registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as 
the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
(2) Workforce intermediary.--The term ``workforce 
intermediary'' means an entity that facilitates the 
establishment of registered apprenticeship programs, and may be 
a partnership that includes one or more of the following as 
partners:
(A) A business or industry organization.
(B) A community-based organization, as defined in 
section 3201(5) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(5)).
(C) A State board or local board, as such terms are 
defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(D) A postsecondary education institution with 
experience in developing and administering registered 
apprenticeship programs.
(E) A joint labor-management partnership.
(F) An institution of higher education, as defined 
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(G) A nonprofit organization.

SEC. 3. CYBERSECURITY APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor shall award grants, on a 
competitive basis, to workforce intermediaries, to support the 
establishment, implementation, and expansion of registered 
apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
(b) Description of Programs Eligible.--For purposes of subsection 
(a), registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity shall include 
technical instruction, workplace training, and industry-recognized 
certification in cybersecurity. Programs shall--
(1) include certifications in CompTIA Network+, CompTIA A+, 
CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Windows 10 Technician, Microsoft 
Certified System Administrator, Certified Network Defender, 
Certified Ethical Hacker, ISACA Cybersecurity Nexus (CSX), 
(ISC)\2\'s Certified Information Systems Security Professional 
(CISSP), or other industry-recognized certification in 
cybersecurity;
(2) encourage stackable and portable credentials; and
(3) lead to occupations such as computer support 
specialists, cybersecurity support technicians, cloud computing 
architects, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, or 
security specialists.

SEC. 4. USE OF FUNDS.

(a) Required Activities.--A workforce intermediary shall use at 
least 85 percent of the amount of grant funds received under this Act 
for the following:
(1) Development and technical support.--Complete the 
apprenticeship registration process with the Department of 
Labor, and assist employers with other logistical and technical 
issues.
(2) Employer partnership.--
(A) In general.--Develop curricula and technical 
instruction for the registered apprenticeship program 
in cooperation with local businesses, organizations, 
and employer-partners, referencing the work roles and 
tasks outlined in the National Initiative for 
Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce 
Framework Special Publication 800-181 to develop skills 
and standards for the program.
(B) Offsite training.--Assist employers in paying 
for the cost of offsite training and acquiring course 
materials provided to apprentices.
(C) Connecting employers.--Connect employers with 
education and training providers to complement on-the-
job learning.
(3) Support services for apprentices.--Provide support 
services to apprentices to assist with their success in the 
registered apprenticeship program, which may include the 
following:
(A) Career counseling.
(B) Mentorship.
(C) Assisting with costs of transportation, 
housing, and child care services.
(b) Allowable Activities.--A workforce intermediary may use up to 
15 percent of the amount of grant funds received under this Act for the 
following outreach and marketing activities:
(1) Market apprenticeships and the apprenticeship model to 
employers, secondary school administrators, and counselors.
(2) Recruit and conduct outreach to potential apprentices, 
including secondary school students, underrepresented 
populations (such as women and minorities), youth, and 
veterans.
(3) Connect and collaborate with other workforce 
intermediaries, and coordinate resources with Federal 
investments in the registered apprenticeship program, to--
(A) minimize the duplication of efforts;
(B) share best practices; and
(C) widely disseminate training resources and 
materials developed with grant funds provided under 
this Act.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated, such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this Act.
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