Responsible Practical Training Act of 2021

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue regulations with respect to the optional practical training program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Responsible Practical Training Act of 2021 2. Optional practical training program (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to update part 214.2(f)(10–12) of title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, with respect to the optional practical training program (or a successor program) to— (1) limit such training program to six months and end any extension of such training program; and (2) exclude aliens with a degree or working in military related or other sensitive fields from such training program. (b) Wage study (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall conduct a wage analysis on the optional practical training program and curricular practical training (or successor programs), including— (A) information on the duties, hours, and compensation of an alien working under such programs; and (B) a determination on the extent to which employment under such programs has or has not resulted in the payment of commensurate wages to the alien, appropriate for the type and location of such employment. (2) Publication Not later than one year after the first wage study under paragraph (1) is conducted, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall publish the findings of the wage study on the internet website of the Department of Labor. (c) Applicability Any regulation issued under subsection (a) shall not apply to an alien employed by a legitimate employer under the optional practical training program that has been recorded in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System on the date on which such regulations are issued under the optional practical training program or an extension of such training program on the date on which such regulations are issued. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Military related or other sensitive fields the term military related or other sensitive fields (2) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System The term Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

Summary: Responsible Practical Training Act of 2021 This bill imposes limits on the Optional Practical Training program and addresses related issues. (The program provides an F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both. Currently, an eligible alien may receive up to 12 months of employment authorization under the program, with a 24-month extension available to certain individuals with degrees in certain fields related to science, technology, engineering, or math.) Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to issue regulations to (1) limit the program to six months and eliminate any extensions; and (2) exclude from the program any alien with a degree or working in a sensitive field, such as military-related fields. The Department of Labor must conduct a wage analysis of the Optional Practical Training program and Curricular Practical Training program. The analysis must include a determination as to whether the aliens in the programs received wages appropriate for the type and location of employment.