Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act of 2022

To establish programs to improve family economic security by breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act of 2022 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings; purposes. Sec. 3. Definitions. TITLE I—Interagency Council on Economic Mobility Sec. 101. Interagency Council on Economic Mobility. Sec. 102. Information displayed on Council website. Sec. 103. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE II—2-generation program Sec. 201. Programs. Sec. 202. General provisions. TITLE III—Performance partnership pilot program Sec. 301. Definitions. Sec. 302. Performance partnership pilots. Sec. 303. Reporting; evaluations. Sec. 304. Applicability to existing performance partnership pilots. 2. Findings; purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Almost half, or 40 percent, of children in the United States are from low-income families, and at least 60 percent of Black, Hispanic, and Native American children live in low-income families. (2) Individuals caught in multigenerational poverty tend to lack the support needed to move beyond day-to-day situations, make long-term financial plans, and support the community around them. (3) Twenty-five percent of children in the United States live in single-caregiver households, and 69 percent of children who live in such households are from low-income families. (4) Many of the services and systems that are intended to help low-income families are fragmented, with approaches that address the needs of caregivers and children separately. These fragmented approaches often leave either the caregiver or the child behind and dim the family's chance at success. (5) In 2015, the Department of Agriculture estimated that more than 9,200,000 individuals in the United States are from low-income families that reside more than 1 mile from a supermarket, and 2,100,000 of such individuals do not have access to a car. (6) Healthy communities have a variety of components, including— (A) safe, sustainable, accessible, and affordable transportation options that enable— (i) children to commute to and from school safely; and (ii) caregivers to seek work outside of their community; (B) housing that is affordable, high-quality, socially integrated, and location-efficient; (C) access to quality schools, parks and other recreational facilities, child care, libraries, financial services, and resources for other daily needs; and (D) support for healthy behavioral development of children and adolescents. (7) Economic research demonstrates— (A) a 13-percent return on investment in high-quality early childhood programs for a child for each year of the child’s life; and (B) that a college degree obtained by a caregiver is expected to double the caregiver's income. (8) For families who have an annual income of $25,000, or less, and have young children, a $3,000 increase in such annual income during the years of early childhood for such children yields a 17-percent increase in earnings for those children when those children become adults. (9) A successful 2-generation program will— (A) improve family economic security by creating opportunities for, and addressing the needs of, caregivers and children simultaneously, which can be measured in outcomes for both caregivers and children; (B) seek the input of caregivers who are served by the program and ensure their perspectives and experience inform the design of the program; (C) break the cycle of multigenerational poverty and create a cycle of family prosperity; and (D) foster and develop healthy communities. (10) The return on investment in education for children and their caregivers is high. Early childhood education programs help children develop new skills and prepare them for grade school. A caregiver’s level of educational attainment is the best predictor of a child’s success. Higher education opens the door to a stable career with a family-sustaining wage, providing opportunities for families to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty. (11) Work-family supports (such as paid family leave and access to high-quality child care), and economic supports (such as affordable housing, transportation, financial education and asset-building, tax credits, child care subsidies, student financial aid, health insurance, assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (12) Postsecondary education, such as community college associate degrees and credentials, and employment pathways, such as workforce development training and workforce partnerships, can build skills leading to high-demand jobs and opportunities for advancement that increase employment rates and income for caregivers. (13) Social capital is a key success factor of the 2-generation approach and builds on the strength and resilience of families, bolstering the aspirations caregivers have for their children and for themselves. For individuals living in certain regions, the lack of community development contributes to a lack of economic mobility and a lack of multigenerational success. (14) Physical and mental health have a major impact on the ability of a family to thrive. There is a well-documented correlation between poor health and poor family finances, with poor health causing poor family finances and poor family finances causing poor health. Improved physical health and health behaviors are associated with higher scores on standardized tests. There is a link between mothers providing a higher level of emotional support and positive outcomes in children, such as children demonstrating an improved social competence and engagement in schooling. Meanwhile, social isolation of children is associated with a higher rate of abuse and neglect of children. (15) All of the 50 several States and the District of Columbia have actively mobilized around 2-generation approaches, which link and align social services, education, and job training to address the needs of 2 generations at the same time and give families the tools they need to succeed. (b) Purpose The purpose of this Act is to improve family economic security by breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty, and to create a cycle of family prosperity, including through developing 2-generation programs that involve initiatives of the Federal Government, States, local governments, and Tribal governments and initiatives of the private sector. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) 2-generation approach The term 2-generation approach 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq. (2) 2-generation program The term 2-generation program (A) a program established under section 201(a); or (B) any other program that takes the 2-generation approach, including the Head Start program under the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 711 (3) Agency The term agency (4) Caregiver The term caregiver (5) Council agency The term Council agency (6) Discretionary appropriations The term discretionary appropriations 2 U.S.C. 900(c) (7) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) (8) Multigenerational poverty The term multigenerational poverty (9) School readiness The term school readiness (A) physical well-being and motor skills; (B) social and emotional skills; (C) approaches to learning; (D) language skills (including early literacy and early numeracy); and (E) cognition and general knowledge. (10) State The term State (11) Vulnerable population The term vulnerable population (A) are economically disadvantaged; (B) are historically underrepresented, such as racial or ethnic minorities; (C) are low-income children; (D) are elderly; (E) are homeless; (F) are reentering a community after incarceration; (G) are individuals with a disability, as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12102 (H) are veterans, as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code; (I) are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); or (J) have any other chronic health condition, including a severe mental illness or substance use disorder. I Interagency Council on Economic Mobility 101. Interagency Council on Economic Mobility (a) Establishment There is established within the Federal Government an interagency council to be known as the Interagency Council on Economic Mobility Council (b) Objectives The objectives of the Council are each of the following: (1) Establish an accountable and effective structure for interagency collaboration, and using Federal authorities, to promote family-sustaining careers and economic mobility for low-income people of the United States. (2) Establish an ongoing system of coordination among and within agencies or organizations related to programs aimed at breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty. (3) Identify knowledge gaps, research needs, and policy and program deficiencies associated with multigenerational poverty. (4) Identify best practices of programs, including 2-generation programs, and methodologies to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty. (c) Membership (1) Composition (A) In general The Council shall be composed of at least 1 designee from each of the following: (i) The Office of Management and Budget. (ii) The Bureau of Indian Affairs. (iii) The Department of Agriculture. (iv) The Department of Education. (v) The Department of Health and Human Services. (vi) The Department of Housing and Urban Development. (vii) The Department of Justice. (viii) The Department of Labor. (ix) The Department of Transportation. (x) The Department of the Treasury. (xi) The Department of Veterans Affairs. (xii) The Corporation for National and Community Service. (xiii) The Domestic Policy Council. (xiv) The National Economic Council. (xv) The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, established by Executive Order 14015 (86 Fed. Reg. 10007; relating to the establishment of a White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships). (xvi) The Council on Economic Advisors. (xvii) The Social Security Administration. (B) Core membership From the designees under subparagraph (A), the Council shall have a core set of Council members to carry out a greater portion of the duties under subsection (d), including coordination of programs. Such core set of Council members shall be composed of each designee from the following: (i) The Department of Agriculture. (ii) The Department of Education. (iii) The Department of Health and Human Services. (iv) The Department of Housing and Urban and Development. (v) The Department of Justice. (vi) The Department of Labor. (2) Designation (A) In general The head of each Council agency shall designate at least 1 employee described in subparagraph (B) of such agency to serve as a member of the Council. (B) Responsibilities An employee described in this subparagraph shall be a senior employee of the agency whose responsibilities relate to policies, procedures, and economics with respect to family well-being. (3) Chairperson and vice-chairperson (A) Chairperson (i) In general The Chairperson of the Council (referred to in this section as the Chairperson (ii) Additional council composition selection In addition to the membership described in paragraph (1)(A), the Chairperson may include the heads of other Federal agencies as members of the Council as appropriate. (B) Vice Chairperson The Vice Chairperson of the Council (referred to in this section as the Vice-Chairperson (d) Duties (1) Strategic plan to end and prevent multigenerational poverty and create a cycle of family prosperity Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Council shall develop, make available for public comment, and submit to the President and Congress, a strategic plan to end and prevent multigenerational poverty and create a cycle of family prosperity. Such plan shall include activities that align with the 2-generation approach and are consistent with the objectives under subsection (b). The Council shall update such plan annually. (2) Implementing and advising 2-generation programs The Council shall— (A) provide guidance to entities in developing and implementing 2-generation programs and other efforts taking the 2-generation approach; (B) establish and institutionalize coordination among Council agencies by— (i) holding regular leadership meetings; (ii) establishing interagency communication mechanisms; (iii) forming working groups to advance policy objectives; (iv) information sharing, particularly on programs and policies; and (v) collaborating on priority activities of the Council, technical assistance, and guidance on coordinating the efforts of 2-generation programs; (C) identify knowledge gaps, research needs, and policy and program deficiencies associated with multigenerational poverty through developing a learning and research agenda that identifies key research questions and data gaps and potential opportunities for Federal, State, and local organizations to answer such research questions; (D) identify best practices of programs, including 2-generation programs, and methodologies to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty, through reviewing, summarizing, and disseminating using the Council website, evidence specifically related to programs, policies, and practices, with the purpose of addressing or reducing multigenerational poverty; (E) advise relevant agencies on specific programmatic and policy matters related to 2-generation programs; (F) provide relevant subject matter expertise to each lead agency under section 202(a); and (G) identify and address issues that may influence the implementation of 2-generation programs. (3) Technical assistance The Council may provide technical assistance to grantees of Federal programs through— (A) identifying barriers for 2-generation programs that require waivers to Federal statutory, regulatory, or administrative requirements and providing recommendations to Congress regarding waivers to such statutory requirements; (B) addressing statutory, regulatory, or administrative barriers to grantees of Federal programs collaborating to carry out a 2-generation program and making recommendations to Congress to address legislative barriers to such collaboration; (C) gathering and compiling stakeholder input on effective 2-generation approaches; (D) identifying resources to support 2-generation programs; and (E) providing resources with respect to the 2-generation approach to 2-generation programs and the public in the form of briefs, toolkits, or other forms of technical assistance. (4) Stakeholder convening (A) Advice on addressing multigenerational poverty The Chairperson, on behalf of the Council, shall identify and invite individuals from diverse entities, including advocates, individuals or families experiencing poverty, individuals from nonprofit and faith-based organizations, small businesses, and philanthropic organizations, and researchers from institutions of higher education, to provide the Council with advice and knowledge pertaining to addressing multigenerational poverty. (B) Best practices and information gathering The Council shall have the authority to convene stakeholders across programs carrying out or supporting the 2-generation approach for the purpose of sharing best practices and gathering information on such programs. Such stakeholders shall include experts with respect to the 2-generation approach and may include representatives from philanthropic organizations, Federal, State, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. (C) Exemption from FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to any group convened by the Council to provide advice to the Council. (5) Reports to Congress (A) Annual reports Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Council shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that includes information on the progress and results of each 2-generation program established under section 201(a) in achieving the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes described in section 201(b) that each program is designed to achieve. (B) Biannual reports Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Council shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that includes— (i) the objectives of the Council; (ii) information on the overall progress of the Council in ending and preventing multigenerational poverty; and (iii) legislative policy recommendations, including addressing any needs for greater legislative authority to meet the objectives of this Act. (6) Available funding Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, each Council agency shall identify, document, and submit to the Chairperson a list of funding sources that could support 2-generation programs in achieving the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes described in section 201(b). 102. Information displayed on Council website (a) In general The Council shall ensure that the information listed in subsection (b) is made available to the public and displayed on the official website of the Council. (b) Information The information listed in this subsection is each of the following: (1) The national strategic plan required under section 101(d)(1). (2) Information on 2-generation programs, including— (A) the outcomes described in section 201(b) that each program established under section 201(a) is designed to achieve, and the appropriate quantitative levels for achieving such outcomes; (B) national partners consisting of private and government entities participating in (or interested in participating in), including by funding, a 2-generation program; (C) a description of the 2-generation program described in title III, including detailed information on the performance partnership pilots approved under section 302(a), the discretionary appropriations used to carry out such program, and any waivers issued under section 202(d) with respect to such program; and (D) a description of any 2-generation program established under section 201(a)(2). (3) Each report, including the data contained in each such report, that— (A) the Council submits to Congress under section 101(d)(5); (B) the Comptroller General of the United States submits under section 303(c); and (C) is submitted to the Council under section 303(d). (4) Information describing the best practices (as determined by the Council) of the 2-generation programs, and other programs engaging in efforts to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty and create a cycle of family prosperity, to enable interested entities to emulate such best practices in any efforts to end or prevent multigenerational poverty. 103. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title. II 2-generation program 201. Programs (a) In general The Council shall establish, as 2-generation programs, each of the following: (1) The 2-generation performance partnership pilot program described in title III. (2) Such other 2-generation programs in accordance with this title. (b) Outcome measures (1) Establishment The Council shall establish clearly defined outcome measures for each 2-generation program established under subsection (a) and the appropriate quantitative levels for achieving such outcomes. (2) Primary outcomes Each 2-generation program established under subsection (a) shall be designed to achieve primary outcomes consisting of both of the following: (A) Improved academic achievement of children and increased earning potential of caregivers, including enhanced— (i) school readiness of children from birth through age 5; and (ii) educational or skill attainment of caregivers, including through enrollment in an apprenticeship program. (B) Two or more of the following outcomes: (i) Improved financial stability of families, including increased financial capability of, and savings for, caregivers and children, achieved through increased earning potential and enhanced financial decision-making skills of caregivers and children. (ii) Increased access for caregivers and children to programs that foster healthy caregiver-child relationships. (iii) Increased opportunities for all family members to participate in programs that address the mental health needs of caregivers and children. (iv) Improved education of caregivers and children on obesity prevention and nutrition, and a subsequent reduction in rates of obesity and related diseases among caregivers and children. (v) Improved maternal and child health, including social and emotional health and development of mothers and children. (vi) Additional outcomes that reflect other indicators of family prosperity, success, and stability, such as stable housing, as identified by the Council for children and caregivers. (3) Cost-effective outcomes In achieving the primary outcomes described in paragraph (2), each 2-generation program established under subsection (a) shall make better use of budgetary resources to seek enhanced outcomes that are most cost-effective for regions, communities, or vulnerable populations. 202. General provisions (a) Lead agencies (1) 2-generation performance partnership pilot program The Department of Health and Human Services shall be the lead agency for the purpose of carrying out the 2-generation program described in title III. (2) Other newly established 2-generation programs The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, in collaboration with the Council, designate a lead agency from among the Council agencies for the purpose of carrying out any other 2-generation program established as described in section 201(a)(2). (b) Agency head determinations (1) In general A Council agency may participate (directly or by providing discretionary appropriations that have been appropriated to such agency) in a 2-generation program established under section 201(a) only upon providing a written determination by the head of such agency to the applicable lead agency under subsection (a), subject to paragraph (3), based on the best available information, transferring resources to participate in such program will not— (A) result in such Council agency reducing any services (funded in whole or in part by the discretionary appropriations of such agency) that such agency provided prior to participating in the 2-generation program; and (B) otherwise adversely affect vulnerable populations that are recipients of such services. (2) Consideration In making the determination under paragraph (1), the head of the Council agency may take into consideration the discretionary appropriations that will be used in the 2-generation program. (3) Submission to full Council In the case that the Council agency seeking to participate in a 2-generation program established under section 201(a) is the applicable lead agency under subsection (c), the Council agency shall submit the written determination required under paragraph (1) to the Council. (c) Transfer authority (1) 2-generation account The applicable lead agency under subsection (a) may establish an account for the purpose of carrying out a 2-generation program established under section 201(a), allowing multiple Council agencies participating in the 2-generation program to combine discretionary appropriations for the purpose of carrying out the 2-generation program. (2) Transfers Subject to the written approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and paragraph (4), the head of each Council agency participating in a 2-generation program established under section 201(a) may transfer discretionary appropriations of the agency to the account established under paragraph (1), to be used for such 2-generation program. (3) Availability (A) Purposes Subject to the waiver authority under subsection (d), the discretionary appropriations transferred under paragraph (2) shall remain available for the same purposes for which the appropriations were originally appropriated. (B) Obligation by the Federal Government The discretionary appropriations transferred under paragraph (2) shall remain available for obligation by the Federal Government for the period for which such appropriations were permitted to remain available, as of the day before the date of the transfer. (4) Notice requirement Not later than 30 days prior to transferring any discretionary appropriations under paragraph (2), the head of the Council agency transferring the appropriations shall provide written notice of the transfer to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and other appropriate committees of Congress. (d) Waiver authority (1) In general To reduce administrative burdens (including application and reporting requirements) and subject to other provisions of this Act (but notwithstanding subsection (c)(3)(A)), the head of a Council agency participating in a 2-generation program established under section 201(a) may waive (in whole or in part) the application, solely with respect to discretionary appropriations used in such 2-generation program, of any statutory, regulatory, or administrative requirement that such agency head— (A) is authorized to waive (in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Federal law authorizing such appropriations); or (B) would not otherwise be authorized to waive, but for the application of this subsection. (2) Limitations (A) In general An agency head described in paragraph (1) shall not waive any requirement related to nondiscrimination, wage and labor standards, or allocation of funds to State or sub-State levels. (B) Requirements For the waiver of any statutory, regulatory, or administrative requirement described in paragraph (1)(B), an agency head described in paragraph (1) shall— (i) prior to granting the waiver, submit to the applicable lead agency under subsection (a) a written determination, with respect to the discretionary appropriations described in paragraph (1), that the granting of such waiver for purposes of the 2-generation program— (I) is consistent with the statutory purposes of the Federal program for which such discretionary appropriations were appropriated and the other provisions of this section, as well as the written determination by such agency head under subsection (b)(1); (II) is necessary to achieve the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes described in section 201(b) that the program is designed to achieve, and is no broader in scope than is necessary to achieve such levels; and (III) will result in— (aa) realizing efficiencies by simplifying reporting burdens or reducing administrative barriers with respect to such discretionary appropriations; or (bb) increasing the ability of individuals to obtain access to services that are provided through such discretionary appropriations; and (ii) provide at least 60 days of advance written notice to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and other appropriate committees of Congress. (e) Prohibited use of assessment for young children To participate in a 2-generation program established under section 201(a), an entity shall provide an assurance that the entity will not assess the achievement of children from birth through grade 2, or programs providing services to such children, by engaging in activities that include— (1) assessing such children or programs in a manner that provides or leads to any reward or sanction for any individual child, teacher, early childhood education program, as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1003 (2) using a single method for assessing the effectiveness of a program serving such children as the primary or only method for assessing such program; or (3) evaluating such children for any purpose other than to— (A) improve instruction or classroom environment; (B) target high-quality, evidence-based professional development; (C) determine the need for health (including mental health), disability, or family support services; (D) inform the quality improvement process for such programs at the State level; (E) evaluate such a program for the purposes of program improvement and providing information to the caregivers of children participating in such program; or (F) provide research conducted as part of a national evaluation. III Performance partnership pilot program 301. Definitions In this title: (1) Lead agency The term lead agency (2) Performance partnership pilot The term performance partnership pilot (A) seeks to identify, through a demonstration, cost-effective strategies for providing services at the State, regional, or local level; (B) involves 2 or more Federal programs (administered by one or more Federal agencies)— (i) with related policy goals; and (ii) at least one of which is administered (in whole or in part) by a State, local government, or Tribal government; (C) carries out the 2-generation approach by achieving the outcomes described in section 201(b), including making better use of budgetary resources to seek enhanced outcomes that are cost-effective for regions, communities, or vulnerable populations; and (D) consistent with this title, allows— (i) an entity participating in the project to combine multiple sources of funding acquired by the entity; and (ii) multiple entities participating in the project to combine sources of funding acquired by the entities. 302. Performance partnership pilots (a) Approval of pilots In accordance with title II and this title, the lead agency shall approve not more than 5 performance partnership pilots under the program described in this title, by entering into performance partnership agreements under subsection (c). (b) Use of discretionary appropriations Subject to section 202 and subsections (a) and (c), a Council agency may use discretionary appropriations appropriated to such agency to participate in one or more of the approved performance partnership pilots. (c) Performance partnership agreements (1) In general A Council agency may use discretionary appropriations to participate in a performance partnership pilot only in accordance with the terms of a performance partnership agreement, described in paragraph (3), that is entered into between— (A) subject to paragraph (2), the lead agency on behalf of each Council agency participating in such pilot; and (B) a representative of each State, local government, or Tribal government that has applied for participation in such pilot, in accordance with application procedures established by the lead agency. (2) Limitation The lead agency may only enter into an agreement under paragraph (1) upon receiving, from the head of each Council agency to be participating in such pilot, a written concurrence to enter into such agreement, including an agreement that such Council agency will comply with all requirements under this Act for participating in such pilot. (3) Terms of the agreement A performance partnership agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall specify, at a minimum, each of the following: (A) The length of such agreement, which shall end not later than 5 fiscal years after the date of enactment of this Act. (B) The Federal programs and federally funded services that are involved in such pilot. (C) The discretionary appropriations that are being used in the performance partnership pilot (by the respective Federal account identifier, and the total amount from such account that is being used in such pilot), and the period of availability for obligation by the Federal Government of such funds. (D) The non-Federal funds that are being used in such pilot, by source (which may include private funds and governmental funds) and by amount. (E) The State, local, or Tribal programs that are involved in such pilot. (F) The populations to be served by such pilot. (G) The cost-effective Federal oversight procedures that will be used for the purpose of maintaining the necessary level of accountability for the use of the discretionary appropriations in such pilot. (H) The cost-effective State, local, or Tribal oversight procedures that will be used for the purpose of maintaining the necessary level of accountability for the use of the discretionary appropriations in such pilot. (I) The outcomes described in section 201(b) that such pilot is designed to achieve and the appropriate quantitative levels for achieving such outcomes. (J) The appropriate, reliable, and objective outcome-measurement methodology that will be used in carrying out such pilot, to determine the success of such pilot in achieving any outcome, and the appropriate quantitative level for achieving such outcome, specified under subparagraph (I). (K) Any statutory, regulatory, or administrative requirements related to a Federal mandatory program that are barriers to achieving any outcome or level specified under subparagraph (I). (L) In a case in which, during the course of such pilot, it is determined that the pilot is not achieving the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes specified under subparagraph (I)— (i) any consequence that will result from the failure to achieve such levels, with respect to the discretionary appropriations that are being used in such pilot; and (ii) the corrective actions that will be taken to increase the likelihood that such pilot, upon completion, will have achieved such levels. (M) The design of a comparison population group for purposes of comparing the outcomes specified under subparagraph (I) for individuals participating in such pilot with similar individuals who did not participate in such pilot. (d) Coordinators (1) In general The lead agency shall award not more than $100,000 to each performance partnership pilot approved under this section to fund staff to lead coordination for such performance partnership pilot. (2) Amount The amount of each award under paragraph (1) may take into account the prevailing wage rate in accordance with the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for an occupation determined by the Secretary of Labor to be comparable to the position of a coordinator of a performance partnership pilot approved under this section for the locality in which the coordinator will be hired. (3) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year. 303. Reporting; evaluations (a) State, local government, or Tribal government reports (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the first day of each fiscal year, a State, local government, or Tribal government participating (in whole or in part) in a performance partnership pilot shall submit a report to the lead agency. (2) Contents The report under paragraph (1) shall include information on— (A) the progress of such performance partnership pilot in achieving the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes the pilot is designed to achieve under section 302(c)(3)(I), including data supporting such progress and regarding the comparison population group described in section 302(c)(3)(M); and (B) the discretionary appropriations, and any other funds, used to carry out such performance partnership pilot. (b) Council agency reports Not later than 120 days after the first day of each fiscal year, each Council agency participating in a performance partnership pilot shall submit a report to the lead agency in such manner and containing such information about the performance partnership pilot as the lead agency may require. (c) Evaluation by Comptroller General (1) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall, annually for 6 fiscal years after the date of enactment of this Act, conduct an evaluation of the 2-generation program described in this title, which shall include information describing— (A) the criteria used by the lead agency to approve performance partnership pilots; (B) the States, local governments, and Tribal governments that participated in any performance partnership pilot; (C) how each such State, local government, and Tribal government used funds received under such performance partnership pilot; (D) the success of each performance partnership pilot in achieving the appropriate quantitative levels for the outcomes the pilot is designed to achieve under section 302(c)(3)(I); and (E) the ability of each performance partnership pilot to be replicated or expanded to serve more families. (2) Submission Not later than 90 days after the first day of each fiscal year, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report containing the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) to the lead agency and the Council. (d) Lead agency report to the Council Not later than 180 days after the first day of each fiscal year, the lead agency shall submit a report to the Council that evaluates the information provided in the reports under subsections (a), (b), and (c). The Council shall include such evaluation in the reports under section 101(d)(5)(A). 304. Applicability to existing performance partnership pilots Nothing in this Act shall be construed to apply to any performance partnership pilot authorized under any of the following: (1) Section 526 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014 ( Public Law 113–76 (2) Section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 ( Public Law 113–235 (3) Section 525 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 ( Public Law 114–113 (4) Section 525 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 ( Public Law 115–31 (5) Section 525 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 ( Public Law 115–141 (6) Section 524 of the Department Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2019 ( Public Law 115–245 (7) Section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 ( Public Law 116–94 (8) Section 524 of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260

Summary: Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act of 2022 This bill addresses multigenerational poverty through the implementation of a two-generation approach (i.e., creating opportunities for, and addressing the needs of, caregivers and children together), including by establishing an interagency council to provide guidance and create a pilot program to improve academic outcomes for children and the earning potential of their caregivers.