I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8747 
To direct the Secretary of Labor to award formula and competitive grants 
for layoff aversion activities, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 12, 2020 
Mr. SMITH of Washington introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Education and Labor 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Labor to award formula and 
competitive grants for layoff aversion activities, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Emergency Economic 
and Workforce System Resiliency Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided, the 
terms used in this Act have the meanings given the terms 
in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3102). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(b) EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP TRUST.—The term ‘‘em-
ployee ownership trust’’ is an indirect form of employee 
ownership in which a trust holds a controlling stake in 
a company on behalf of all its employees and provides an 
incentive for owners to sell a controlling stake in their 
business. 
(c) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN.—The term 
‘‘employee stock ownership plan’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986. 
(d) WORKER COOPERATIVE.—The term ‘‘worker co-
operative’’ means a values-driven business that puts work-
er and community benefit at the core of its purpose, and 
in which— 
(1) workers own the business and they partici-
pate in its financial success on the basis of their 
labor contribution to the cooperative; and 
(2) workers have representation on and vote for 
the board of directors, adhering to the principle of 
one worker, one vote. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
TITLE I—SUPPLEMENTAL FOR-
MULA GRANTS FOR EMER-
GENCY 
LAYOFF 
AVERSION 
AND WORKFORCE TRAINING 
ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 101. FORMULA GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor 
shall award 5-year grants in accordance with subsection 
(b), to States to support efforts to— 
(1) reduce and prevent unemployment; and 
(2) limit the impact of disruptions (economic, 
pandemic-related, transitions of retiring business 
owners, automation-related, trade-related, or other 
forces) on labor markets. 
(b) STATE ALLOTMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—From the amount appro-
priated under section 105, the Secretary shall— 
(A) reserve not more than 1⁄4 of 1 percent 
of such amount to provide assistance to the out-
lying areas; and 
(B) make allotments to the States under 
paragraph (2) to— 
(i) make allocations under subsection 
(c); or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(ii) carry out the State activities de-
scribed in subsection (d). 
(2) ALLOTMENTS.—The Secretary shall make 
an 
allotment 
in 
accordance 
with 
section 
132(b)(1)(B)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3172(b)(1)(B)(ii)) to 
each State that submits a State plan under section 
103. 
(c) WITHIN STATE ALLOCATIONS.—The Governor of 
a State shall use not less than 60 percent of the allotment 
received under subsection (b)(2)— 
(1) to allocate funds to each local area in the 
State in accordance with section 133(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3173(b)(2)(A)(i)) to carry out the activities 
under section 103, in accordance with the State plan 
under section 102, and in consultation with the 
State board and the Governor; and 
(2) of which not more than 10 percent may be 
used for administrative purposes. 
(d) STATE ACTIVITIES.—The Governor of a State 
shall use the remaining amount of the allotment received 
under subsection (b)(2)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(1) to carry out the activities under section 103 
in accordance with the State plan under section 102, 
and in consultation with the State board; and 
(2) of which not more than 10 percent may be 
used for administrative purposes. 
SEC. 102. STATE APPLICATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) SUBMISSION BY STATES.—To receive an al-
location under section 101, a State shall submit a 
State Workforce Economic Recovery plan (in this 
Act referred to as a ‘‘State plan’’), developed by or 
in consultation with the State board and approved 
by the Governor, to the Secretary at such time and 
in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably re-
quire, and containing the information described in 
subsection (b). 
(2) SECRETARIAL RESPONSE.—Upon receipt of 
a State plan, the Secretary shall— 
(A) approve the State plan; or 
(B) provide the State— 
(i) with an explanation as to how the 
State plan does not meet the goals and re-
quirements of the grant program under 
this title; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(ii) with an opportunity to submit an 
updated State plan or to appeal the deci-
sion of the Secretary. 
(3) RESUBMISSION.— 
(A) REQUIRED STATE PLAN UPDATES.—At 
the end of the first 2-year period of the grant, 
a State shall— 
(i) update the State plan to reflect 
changes in the labor market and other eco-
nomic conditions affecting the implementa-
tion of the activities funded under the 
grant; and 
(ii) submit to the Secretary such up-
dated State plan modifications to the State 
plan. 
(B) 
AUTHORIZED
STATE
PLAN
UP-
DATES.—A State may submit to the Secretary 
any necessary updates to the State plan at any 
point during the grant period. 
(b) CONTENTS.—A State plan shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A description of how the State plan is 
aligned with, enhances, expands, or fills service gaps 
to the plan submitted by the State under section 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
102 or 103 of the Workforce Innovation and Oppor-
tunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112, 313). 
(2) A State strategic vision, including— 
(A) a summary of the State’s goals— 
(i) for preparing an educated and 
skilled workforce for meeting the skilled 
workforce needs of employers (particularly 
in existing and emerging in-demand indus-
try sectors and occupations), an identifica-
tion of the median income for in-demand 
sectors and occupations, and how the State 
will work to ensure worker access to jobs 
and industries with higher median wages, 
opportunities for workers to share in the 
ownership or profits of their companies, 
and high quality work environments; 
(ii) for ensuring equitable access to 
quality jobs for all segments of the State’s 
population, and the plan for promoting 
quality career pathways that lead to high- 
quality jobs for displaced or incumbent 
workers; and 
(iii) for offering retiring business own-
ers or business owners planning to close 
their businesses opportunities to plan that 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
transition in order to ensure the continuity 
of high-quality jobs in the local economy; 
and 
(B) the primary strategies that will be 
used to achieve the State vision and goals, the 
proposed service delivery infrastructure, and the 
timeline for achieving such goals. 
(3) A description of the problems the State’s 
proposed activities aim to solve, and the reason for 
prioritizing selected problem areas. 
(4) A description of how the State will align 
with, and leverage funds from, the State’s workforce 
development system and higher education system, 
and public assistance programs, and the economic 
recovery efforts at the State and local levels. 
(5) A description of how the State will collabo-
rate with other relevant State and local government 
entities, non-profit entities, and other relevant 
groups identified by the State to carry out activities 
under section 103, including the roles and respon-
sibilities of each entity that will participate in the 
development, implementation, evaluation, and over-
sight of each component of the State plan. 
(6) An employer engagement strategy that de-
scribes how employers will be targeted and recruited 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
to participate, and any expectations for employer 
participation, such as cash or in-kind contributions, 
wage release time for employees, provision of on-site 
child care or financial support for child care, em-
ployee participation incentives, work-based learning 
opportunities, or loaned instructors. 
(7) A description of the data sources (commer-
cial or public) the State will use to identify growing, 
stable, and declining businesses and industry sectors 
or occupations. 
(8) A description of how the State will prioritize 
individuals with barriers to employment, people of 
color, youth, immigrants, formerly incarcerated 
adults, and individuals experiencing pandemic-re-
lated job displacement. 
(9) A description of how the State will prioritize 
access to high-quality jobs by establishing the stand-
ards of job quality that an employer is required to 
meet as a condition of receiving funds under this 
title, which— 
(A) are consistent with the minimum 
standards established by the Interagency Task 
Force under section 304, and a description of 
such standards; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(B) include a defined livable wage for the 
State or by subregion of the State. 
(10) Any other requirements as determined by 
the Secretary. 
SEC. 103. USES OF FUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A State may use, or ensure that 
a local area uses, the funds awarded under this title for 
any of the following purposes: 
(1) Training and education opportunities. 
(2) Adult basic education. 
(3) Incumbent worker training. 
(4) Dislocated worker training. 
(5) On-the-job training. 
(6) Job seeking assistance. 
(7) Layoff aversion, in advance of the notice re-
quired under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining 
Notification Act (29 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.), which 
may include assisting employers with product diver-
sification, market expansion, and improving produc-
tivity. 
(8) Entrepreneurial development and coaching 
(helping individuals who need assistance with start-
ing up, scaling up, or maintaining their own busi-
nesses), which may include the provision of loans 
through local boards of up to $8,000 to help with 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
starting up a new business or preserving a business 
in financial distress. 
(9) Developing career pathway opportunities 
(including through industry or sector partnerships) 
to in-demand high-quality jobs in coordination with 
employers, 
community-based 
organizations, 
and 
State higher education systems, including the State 
registered apprenticeship system. 
(10) Related instruction for pre-apprenticeship, 
registered apprenticeship, or other work-based train-
ing in an occupational pathway. 
(11) Funding existing or establishing new State 
or non-profit employee ownership resource centers 
that offer education and technical assistance to re-
tiring business owners, new entrepreneurs, or worker 
groups for the purpose of using broad-based em-
ployee share ownership in the form of employee 
stock ownership plans, worker cooperatives, or em-
ployee ownership trusts, to allow worker groups to 
buy out retiring business owners. 
(12) Capital for revolving loan funds managed 
by State or non-profit entities that offer loans to 
allow worker groups to buy out retiring business 
owners, worker groups, or entrepreneurs looking to 
save a declining firm through employee ownership, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
or workers using broad-based employee share owner-
ship in the form of employee stock ownership plans, 
worker cooperatives, or employee ownership trusts. 
(b) LIMITATIONS.—No State or local area may use 
funds awarded under this title to— 
(1) recruit businesses, employees, or customers 
from another State; 
(2) assist employers that do not meet the 
standards of job quality under section 102(b)(9); or 
(3) assist proprietary institutions of higher edu-
cation (as defined in section 102(b) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(b))). 
SEC. 104. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; NATIONAL REPOSI-
TORY. 
(a) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) STATES.—Each State that receives a grant 
under this title shall submit to the Secretary an an-
nual report that, to the extent practicable integrates 
reporting requirements under the Workforce Innova-
tion and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) 
and includes— 
(A) an evaluation— 
(i) of the performance of the activities 
funded under the grant— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(I) with respect to indicators of 
performance 
under 
section 
116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Inno-
vation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)); and 
(II) with respect to meeting the 
goals of the State plan; 
(ii) of the satisfaction of each em-
ployer receiving assistance under this title, 
on the basis of the satisfaction measure-
ment framework as determined by the 
Interagency Task Force under section 301; 
and 
(B) information on whether an employer 
that received assistance under the grant pro-
vided health benefits, paid sick leave, and paid 
family and medical leave to their employees. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall submit a 
report to Congress on an annual basis containing a 
summary of the reports received under paragraph 
(1), including promising emerging practices with re-
spect to layoff aversion and job creation. 
(b) NATIONAL REPOSITORY.—The Secretary shall, 
jointly with the Interagency Task Force established under 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
title III, establish on a publicly accessible website, a na-
tional repository— 
(1) of data-driven, promising practices with re-
spect to layoff aversion and job creation based on 
the evaluations described in subsection (a)(1); and 
(2) of recommendations for replicating and 
scaling up such practices. 
SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There 
are 
authorized 
to 
be 
appropriated 
$250,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each of the 4 suc-
ceeding fiscal years. 
TITLE II—COMPETITIVE GRANTS 
FOR 
INNOVATIVE 
LAYOFF 
AVERSION MODELS 
SEC. 201. COMPETITIVE GRANTS. 
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
planning grants and implementation grants, on a 
competitive basis and in accordance with paragraph 
(2), to States for innovative layoff aversion models. 
(2) GRANT CYCLES.—In awarding grants under 
this title, the Secretary shall award— 
(A) a first cycle of grants that shall in-
clude— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(i) planning grants, which shall be 
used during the 18-month period beginning 
on the date on which the grants are award-
ed; and 
(ii) 
implementation 
grants, 
which 
shall be used during the 5-year period be-
ginning on the date on which the grants 
are awarded; and 
(B) a second cycle of grants that shall be 
new implementation grants— 
(i) to States that used planning 
grants in accordance with subparagraph 
(A)(i); and 
(ii) that shall be used during the 3.5- 
year period beginning on the date on which 
the grants are awarded. 
(b) PLANNING GRANTS.— 
(1) APPLICATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—To receive a planning 
grant under this title, a State shall submit an 
application to the Secretary, at such time and 
in such manner as the Secretary may require, 
which shall include the information described in 
subparagraph (B). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(B) CONTENTS.—Each application shall 
include the following: 
(i) The need for a planning grant, and 
whether the State plans to submit an ap-
plication for an implementation grant. 
(ii) A description of the planning ac-
tivities the State will carry out with the 
grant. 
(iii) A description of each entity with 
which the State will coordinate to carry 
out such activities. 
(iv) A description of the data sources 
(commercial or public) that the State plans 
to use to— 
(I) investigate in-demand, stag-
nant, and declining industry sectors 
or occupations and employers in the 
State; 
(II) determine the needs of un-
derserved and underrepresented popu-
lations to obtain and retain high-qual-
ity jobs; and 
(III) identify strategies and ap-
proaches to job creation and layoff 
aversion. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(v) A list of individuals and organiza-
tions, including roles and responsibilities, 
of each member of the State grantee advi-
sory council under title III. 
(vi) Potential State administrative 
policies or other conditions that may sup-
port or impede implementation of new ap-
proaches to job creation and layoff aver-
sion. 
(2) GRANT AMOUNT.—A planning grant under 
this title may not be less than $75,000, and may not 
exceed $350,000 for a State. 
(3) USES OF FUNDS.—For a period that may 
not exceed 18 months after receipt of such grant, a 
State receiving a planning grant shall use such 
grant to carry out at least one of the following: 
(A) To research, develop a proof of con-
cept, or pilot layoff aversion and job creation 
strategies prior to submission of an implemen-
tation grant application under subsection (c), if 
the State plans to apply for such a grant. 
(B) To help support the modification or re-
moval of State administrative policy barriers to 
implementation of job creation and layoff aver-
sion interventions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(c) IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS.— 
(1) APPLICATION PROCESS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—To receive an imple-
mentation grant under this title, a State shall 
submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing the infor-
mation described in subparagraph (B). 
(B) CONTENTS.—Subject to subparagraph 
(C), each application shall include the following: 
(i) A description of the interventions 
that will be carried out including a min-
imum of one layoff aversion intervention 
aimed at a particular industry sector or oc-
cupation or segment of the workforce, or 
that is workforce system-wide, and the 
plan for deploying such interventions. 
(ii) Projected performance goals for 
such interventions, and a timeline for 
achieving such goals. 
(iii) An analysis of the need for the 
grant, the particular problems that will be 
addressed through such interventions, and 
the reasons for prioritizing such interven-
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(iv) A description of efforts already 
underway in the State and that have been 
previously implemented to create jobs or 
avert layoffs, and a description of the suc-
cess elements and lessons learned that 
have informed each type of intervention 
that will be funded under the grant. 
(v) An identification of the State 
agency for fiscal and contract administra-
tion, and description of its management 
capacity. 
(vi) A description of how the State 
will collaborate with relevant State and 
local government agencies, non-profit enti-
ties, business and employer partners, and 
any other groups determined relevant by 
the State, and the roles and responsibilities 
of each such entity, which may include 
small business development entities, eco-
nomic development entities, job training 
entities, unemployment compensation enti-
ties, institutions of higher education (in-
cluding 2-year public institutions of higher 
education), labor unions, business associa-
tions, community-based organizations, and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
American Job Centers and one-stop cen-
ters. 
(vii) How the State will leverage 
State, local, and private resources from 
partnering entities, including the entities 
described in clause (vi). 
(viii) A description of how the State 
will identify and prioritize individual work-
ers at risk of layoffs and employers or in-
dustry sectors with the most significant 
risks for decline and individual workers at 
risk of layoffs. 
(ix) A list of in-demand industry sec-
tors or occupations that will be the target 
of the interventions, and the corresponding 
recognized postsecondary credentials nec-
essary for workers to obtain jobs in such 
sectors or occupations, and how underrep-
resented populations and individuals with 
education and employment barriers will be 
supported to succeed in such sectors or oc-
cupations. 
(x) A description of the recognized 
postsecondary credentials necessary for 
workers to obtain in-demand high-quality 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
jobs within targeted sectors or occupations, 
the corresponding education and training 
resources currently available to be lever-
aged, new education and training resources 
that must be developed, and the role of 
employers in helping to create the appro-
priate and adequate pipeline of workers 
with those credentials. 
(xi) A list of individuals and organiza-
tions, including roles and responsibilities, 
of each member of the State advisory 
council under title III. 
(xii) A description of how the State 
will prioritize access to high-quality jobs by 
establishing the standards of job quality 
that an employer is required to meet as a 
condition of receiving funds under this 
title, which are consistent with the min-
imum standards established by the Inter-
agency Task Force under section 304, and 
a description of such standards. 
(xiii) Any other information required 
by the Secretary. 
(C) SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION PROCESS.— 
The Secretary shall establish a simplified appli-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
cation process for States that have received a 
planning grant under this title who are seeking 
to apply for an implementation grant. 
(2) GRANT AMOUNT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), an implementation grant under this 
title shall be made to a State in an amount that 
is not less than $5,000,000 and not more than 
$20,000,000. 
(B) ADDITIONAL FUNDS.—A State that is 
awarded an implementation grant under this 
section for piloting the following models may re-
ceive up to $5,000,000 in additional funds: 
(i) Establishing a State or local public 
holding company that invests and acquires 
ownership in distressed businesses to allow 
them to continue operating or reopen later. 
(ii) Piloting a model that seeks to im-
prove individual economic security through 
every stage of career life, particularly for 
workers who are left out of traditional un-
employment insurance, benefits, or worker 
training and retraining programs such as 
independent contractors, gig workers, busi-
ness owners, and individuals who are car-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
ing for dependents or otherwise not work-
ing outside of the home. This may include 
efforts to provide broader lifelong access to 
income support, access to pensions or re-
tirement savings accounts, health care ben-
efits, paid family leave, medical leave, and 
other fringe benefits. 
(iii) 
Establishing 
sector-based 
or 
labor-management governance boards with 
shared oversight over a worker support 
fund. Worker support funds may be used 
to provide ongoing training and retraining 
opportunities, income support during un-
employment, health insurance or other 
health and wellness benefits, flexible or 
compensation during alternative or flexible 
work schedules, paid sick leave or paid 
family leave, or other benefits as deter-
mined by the joint sector-based or worker- 
management governing body. 
(3) PRIORITY.—In awarding implementation 
grants under this Act, the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Interagency Task Force, shall prioritize the 
following States: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(A) States that demonstrate the greatest 
need. 
(B) States that have the most thorough 
plans for deploying interventions. 
(C) States that prioritize individuals with 
barriers to employment, people of color, immi-
grants, youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, 
and/or people experiencing pandemic-related job 
displacement. 
(D) States that are committed to forging 
career pathways with employers that provide 
high-quality jobs (as defined by the State in 
section 102(b)(10)), or in a case in which the 
State does not submit a State plan under title 
I, as defined in accordance with the require-
ments of section 102(b)(10). 
(E) States that have the most thorough, 
actionable and achievable plans for deploying 
interventions, and present reliable and relevant 
evidence for the interventions chosen. 
(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) STATES.—Each State shall submit annual 
performance reports to the Secretary that dem-
onstrate how the grant-funded activities are per-
forming with respect to indicators of performance 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
under section 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innova-
tion 
and 
Opportunity 
Act 
(29 
U.S.C. 
3141(b)(2)(A)), and the business satisfaction meas-
ures established by the Interagency Task Force es-
tablished under title IV. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall submit 
to Congress, a report— 
(A) on an annual basis, containing a sum-
mary of the reports submitted under paragraph 
(1); and 
(B) at the conclusion of each implementa-
tion grant period, the results of a rigorous, 
independent evaluation of the grants awarded 
under this title. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title, 
$250,000,000— 
(1) of which up to 70 percent may be used to 
award the first round of grants under subsection 
(a)(2)(A); and 
(2) of which any remaining funds shall be used 
to award a second round of grants under subsection 
(a)(2)(B). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
TITLE III—STATE GRANTEE 
ADVISORY COUNSEL 
SEC. 301. STATE GRANTEE ADVISOR COUNSEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Each State that receives a grant 
under title I or title II shall establish a State grantee advi-
sory counsel. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The State board shall serve 
as the State grantee advisory council and shall over-
see and assess the performance of the activities car-
ried out under the grant received under title I or II. 
(2) OTHER ENTITIES.—Representatives of the 
following entities shall be invited to serve as a mem-
ber of the State grantee advisory council, if not a 
member of the State board: 
(A) The State workforce system. 
(B) The State unemployment compensa-
tion agency. 
(C) The State higher education system, in-
cluding 2-year public institutions of higher edu-
cation. 
(D) The State, local, or regional chambers 
of commerce. 
(E) Representatives of employer organiza-
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(F) Representatives of labor organizations 
or joint labor-management organizations. 
(G) Community-based organizations. 
(H) An established State-based employee 
ownership center that offers education and 
technical assistance to retiring business owners, 
worker groups, entrepreneurs, or declining 
firms, for the purpose of using broad-based em-
ployee share ownership in the form of employee 
stock ownership plans, worker cooperatives, or 
employee ownership trusts, to allow worker 
groups to buy out businesses. 
(I) Any other member relevant to the ac-
tivities carried out by the State under the grant 
awarded under title I or II. 
TITLE IV—INTERAGENCY TASK 
FORCE 
SEC. 401. PURPOSES. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor (in 
this title referred to as the ‘‘Secretaries’’) shall, jointly, 
assemble a Federal interagency task force to— 
(1) identify any challenges that a State or local 
area receiving funds under this Act has had to over-
come; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(2) collect and disseminate best practices, and 
develop and recommend policies at the Federal level 
to support ongoing efforts to limit the impact of 
market disruptions on workers, employers, and in-
dustry sectors or occupations, particularly with re-
spect to individuals with barriers to employment, 
people of color, youth, immigrants, formerly incar-
cerated individuals, and people experiencing pan-
demic-related job displacement; 
(3) establish a framework for a State receiving 
a grant under this Act to measure employer satisfac-
tion with respect to activities funded under this Act; 
and 
(4) establish the minimum standards of job 
quality that an employer is required to meet as a 
condition of receiving assistance under this Act, 
which shall consider the following: 
(A) Whether the employer provides wages 
at or above the minimum living wage standards 
for States and localities determined by research 
centers at public or private non-profit institu-
tions of higher education or think tanks. Living 
wage models used by the Interagency Task 
Force must use a market-based approach that 
utilizes geographically specific expenditure data 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
related to a household’s expected minimum 
food, child care, health insurance, housing, 
transportation, and other basic needs costs. 
(B) Whether the employer provides access 
to ongoing training and advancement opportu-
nities. 
(C) Whether the employer provides paid 
sick days, paid family leave, or paid medical 
leave or short-term disability leave. 
(D) Whether the employer provides ade-
quate hours and predictable schedules. 
SEC. 402. COMPOSITION. 
The Secretaries shall appoint the following individ-
uals to serve as members of the Task Force: 
(1) The Secretary of Labor. 
(2) The Administrator of the Economic Devel-
opment Administration of the Department of Com-
merce. 
(3) The Administrator of the Small Business 
Administration. 
(4) The Director of the Community Develop-
ment Financial Institutions Fund. 
(5) The Administrator of the Office of Career, 
Technical, and Adult Education of the Department 
of Education. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(6) The Administrator of the Office of Postsec-
ondary Education at the Department of Education. 
(7) A representative from the Employment and 
Training Administration. 
SEC. 403. MEETINGS. 
The Interagency Task Force shall meet at least on 
an annual basis until the date on which the Task Force 
is terminated to evaluate the activities being carried out 
by each State receiving a grant grantees under this Act 
and impact of those activities on employers, incumbent 
workers, and job-seekers, including the effectiveness of 
such activities— 
(1) in keeping workers employed in high-quality 
jobs; 
(2) helping workers transition smoothly to high- 
quality in-demand jobs during economic disruption; 
(3) improving firm resiliency during economic 
disruption; and 
(4) expanding the number of jobs available in 
high-quality in-demand industry sectors and occupa-
tions. 
SEC. 404. REPORT. 
Not later than 1 year after the funds awarded under 
the final grant under this Act are expended, the Inter-
agency Task Force shall submit a report to Congress de-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
tailing recommendations for a Federal program based on 
the most promising practices carried out with the funds 
awarded under titles I and II. 
SEC. 405. SUNSET. 
The Interagency Task Force shall terminate after 
submitting its final report under section 404. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:47 Dec 22, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H8747.IH
H8747
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS