IT Service Corps Act

To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish service programs dedicated to digital equity, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the IT Service Corps Act 2. State and national (a) State and national Section 122(b)(2) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12572(b)(2) (1) by redesignating subparagraph (I) as subparagraph (J); and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following: (I) A program that— (i) is dedicated to the achievement of digital equity in underserved communities, including through supporting digital inclusion activities and enhancing digital literacy among individuals in such communities; (ii) provides participants— (I) assistance in the development of professional and technical skills with respect to information technology, including— (aa) by providing and preparing participants with sufficient training to effectively operate, maintain, or otherwise adapt to new technologies related to information technology; and (bb) to the extent practicable, training and financial support for training that prepares such participants to acquire an industry recognized, vendor-neutral certification in information technology; (II) guidance that may be used in careers in information technology, or in pursuing further education or apprenticeships relating to information technology; (III) the necessary equipment, or assistance in purchasing such equipment, for such program, including computer devices and smartphones; and (IV) with mentors who are information technology professionals; (iii) in recruiting participants— (I) conducts outreach and recruitment in underserved communities and other local communities; and (II) gives consideration to individuals who are from a marginalized community or background, have been dislocated from their jobs as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic and subsequent economic crisis, or have experienced long-term unemployment; (iv) using data available by the Corporation, if any, with respect to participants, collects and reports to Congress workforce information on participants, including— (I) demographic data; (II) prior career background, including prior career industry, role, and years of experience; (III) future career intentions, including desired industry and role; and (IV) any job, education, or apprenticeship placements after participation in the program; and (v) defines the following terms as follows: (I) Digital equity The term digital equity (II) Digital inclusion The term digital inclusion (aa) means the activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as— (AA) reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service; (BB) internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and (CC) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and (bb) includes access to digital literacy training, quality technical support, and basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity. (III) Digital literacy The term digital literacy (IV) Underserved community The term underserved community . (b) National Civilian Community Corps Section 157(a)(1) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12617(a)(1) , which may include a program dedicated to digital equity described in section 122(b)(2)(I) (c) VISTA Section 103(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 4953(a) (1) in paragraph (12), by striking and (2) in paragraph (13), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (14) in addressing digital equity, which meets the requirements of a program described in section 122(b)(2)(I) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12572(b)(2)(I) . (d) AmeriCorps Senior programs Section 225(b)(5) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 5025(b)(5) , including a program dedicated to digital equity described in section 122(b)(2)(I) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12572(b)(2)(I)

Summary: IT Service Corps Act This bill includes programs dedicated to the achievement of digital equity in underserved communities, including through supporting digital inclusion activities and enhancing digital literacy among individuals in such communities, within federally supported national service programs (e.g., AmeriCorps).