Jobs Now Act of 2015

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to create a pilot program to award grants to units of general local government and community-based organizations to create jobs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Jobs Now Act of 2015 2. Grants to units of general local government Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq. 173. Pilot program (a) Program authorized Notwithstanding section 181(e), from the amounts appropriated under subsection (h) (b) Unit of general local government defined For purposes of this section, the term unit of general local government (c) Uses of funds (1) Required uses (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), a unit of general local government or community-based organization shall use not less than 50 percent of the grant funds received under this section to— (i) in the case of a unit, retain employees of such unit who are providing a public service for the unit and who would otherwise be laid off as a consequence of budget cuts; and (ii) in the case of an organization, retain employees of the organization who are providing a public service for the unit in which the organization is located and who would otherwise be laid off as a consequence of budget cuts. (B) Exception In a case in which 50 percent of a grant amount received under this section would exceed the amount needed for a unit or organization to retain the employees described in subparagraph (A), the unit or organization may use only the amount needed to retain such employees for such purpose. (2) Authorized uses After using grant funds received under this section in accordance with paragraph (1), a unit of general local government or community-based organization may use any remaining grant funds provided under this section to— (A) in the case of a unit of general local government— (i) employ individuals in new positions providing a public service for the unit; or (ii) train individuals for new public service positions for the unit; and (B) in the case of a community-based organization— (i) employ individuals in new positions that would provide a public service for the unit in which the organization is located or services in the private sector; or (ii) train individuals for any such positions. (d) Priority for certain individuals The Secretary shall encourage each unit of general local government and each community-based organization receiving a grant under this section to use such grant funds to retain, employ, or train— (1) veterans; (2) individuals with disabilities; (3) individuals who are receiving unemployment benefits; or (4) dislocated workers. (e) Priority for certain units and organizations (1) Units In awarding grants to units of general local government under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to units of general local government with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to other units of general local government applying to receive a grant under this section. (2) Organizations In awarding grants to units of general local government under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to community-based organizations located in units of general local government with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to other units of general local government applying to receive a grant under this section. (f) Application Each unit of general local government or community-based organization desiring to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (g) Report Not later than 2 years after the first appropriation of funds under subsection (h) (1) the number and percentage of individuals hired or trained, and the number and percentage of employees of units retained, as a result of a grant under this section; and (2) best practices in carrying out a grant program to hire, train, or retain employees of units of general local government. (h) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 to carry out this section for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. .

Summary: Jobs Now Act of 2015 Amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Department of Labor to carry out a two-year pilot program to award competitive grants to general local government units or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train employees who provide them a public service. Prescribes program requirements, including that: each unit or organization grantee give priority to the retention, employment, and training of veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals who receive unemployment benefits, or dislocated workers; and Labor give priority to the award of grants to units and organizations with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates.