I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3471 
To authorize the Secretary of Labor to award grants for the employment 
of individuals in targeted communities to perform work for the benefit 
of such communities. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 17, 2011 
Ms. TSONGAS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined 
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of Labor to award grants for 
the employment of individuals in targeted communities 
to perform work for the benefit of such communities. 
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 ‘‘Helping Individuals 
Return to Employment Act’’ or the ‘‘HIRE Act’’. 
SEC. 2. COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT GRANTS. 
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Labor 
is authorized to award competitive grants for the hiring 
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of unemployed individuals to perform work to benefit com-
munities, under terms and conditions set forth in this sec-
tion. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Grants under this section 
may be awarded to any of the following entities in the 
areas described in subsection (c): 
(1) Units of local government. 
(2) Workforce investment boards, established 
pursuant to section 117 of the Workforce Invest-
ment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2832). 
(3) Non-profit organizations described in sec-
tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
(26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)). 
(c) TARGETED COMMUNITIES.—Grants under this 
section may be awarded to eligible entities located in or 
primarily serving in one of the following areas, if the un-
employment rate in such area is higher than 7 percent 
during the 3-month period preceding the award of the 
grant: 
(1) A renewal community with respect to which 
a designation was in effect under section 1400E(a) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 
1400E(a)) on December 31, 2009. 
(2) An empowerment zone designated under 
section 1391 of such Code. 
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(3) A historically underutilized business zone 
designated under section 3(p)(1) of the Small Busi-
ness Act (15 U.S.C. 632(p)(1)). 
(d) INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE
FOR EMPLOYMENT.— 
Grants awarded under this section shall be used to hire 
unemployed individuals residing in the areas described in 
subsection (c), including individuals age 16 and older, with 
priority going to individuals who have been unemployed 
for more than a year. 
(e) LIMITATIONS.— 
(1) 
UNION
CONSULTATION.—No 
individual 
whose employment is funded under a grant author-
ized under this Act may work for an employer at 
which a collective bargaining agreement is in effect 
covering the same or similar work, unless— 
(A) the consent of the labor organization 
at such employer is obtained; and 
(B) negotiations have taken place between 
such labor organization and the employer as to 
the terms and conditions of such employment. 
(2) NONDISPLACEMENT.—An individual whose 
employment is funded under this Act may not dis-
place other employees whose employment is not 
funded under this Act. A grant recipient under this 
Act may not hire an employee or employees with 
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funds under this Act for any employment which the 
grant recipient would otherwise hire an employee 
who has been furloughed. 
(f) EFFECT ON UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.— 
The amount of any unemployment compensation payable 
to an individual employed under a grant established by 
this Act is a pro rata portion of the unemployment com-
pensation which would otherwise be payable to the em-
ployee if such employee were totally unemployed. 
(g) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—An eligible en-
tity that receives a grant under this Act shall consult with 
community leaders, including small business owners, labor 
organizations, and local residents to assess the needs of 
the community to determine the qualifying activities for 
which individuals will be hired. 
(h) QUALIFYING
ACTIVITIES.—Individuals hired 
using grant funds awarded under this section shall be em-
ployed for a minimum of 20 hours per week only in activi-
ties that benefit the community in the areas described in 
subsection (c), including activities such as public works, 
beautification, historic restoration, tutoring, and adult 
education. In addition, where an eligible entity determines 
appropriate, a portion of the grant funds may be used to 
ensure the safety of employees hired under the grant and 
provide necessary job training. 
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(i) FEDERAL SHARE.—Funds awarded under this 
section shall supplement, not supplant, funds of the eligi-
ble entity that are used for such purposes. 
(j) APPLICATION.—Eligible entities seeking a grant 
under this section shall submit an application to the Sec-
retary at such time, in such form, and containing such 
information and assurances as the Secretary may require. 
(k) REQUIRED DEADLINE FOR HIRING.—An eligible 
entity receiving a grant under this section shall— 
(1) determine the number of individuals that 
may be hired for a 3-year period using both grant 
funds and local funds available for such purpose; 
and 
(2) hire such individuals within 60 days after 
receiving a grant. 
(l) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Labor may pro-
mulgate regulations necessary to implement the grant pro-
gram authorized by this Act, including any necessary reg-
ulations necessary to apply wage and labor protections to 
individuals employed under a grant. 
(m) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor 
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. 
Æ 
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