Title: Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act
This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants, on a competitive basis, to assist states, local governments, and Indian tribes or community-based organizations in providing subsidized summer and year-round employment opportunities to certain at-risk youth who are not younger than 14 or older than 24, and are unemployed.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1562 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1562

   To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide 
 funding, on a competitive basis, for summer and year-round employment 
              opportunities for youth ages 14 through 24.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 11, 2021

  Mr. Durbin (for himself and Ms. Duckworth) introduced the following 
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide 
 funding, on a competitive basis, for summer and year-round employment 
              opportunities for youth ages 14 through 24.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Creating Pathways for Youth 
Employment Act''.

SEC. 2. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

    Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subtitle E (29 U.S.C. 3241 et seq.) as 
        subtitle F; and
            (2) by inserting after subtitle D (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) 
        the following:

              ``Subtitle E--Youth Employment Opportunities

``SEC. 176. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subtitle:
            ``(1) Eligible youth.--The term `eligible youth' means an 
        individual who--
                    ``(A) is not younger than age 14 or older than age 
                24; and
                    ``(B) is--
                            ``(i) an in-school youth;
                            ``(ii) an out-of-school youth; or
                            ``(iii) an unemployed individual.
            ``(2) Hardest-to-employ, most-at-risk.--The term `hardest-
        to-employ, most-at-risk', used with respect to an individual, 
        includes individuals who are homeless, in foster care, involved 
        in the juvenile or criminal justice system, or are not enrolled 
        in or at risk of dropping out of an educational institution and 
        who live in an underserved community that has faced trauma 
        through acute or long-term exposure to substantial 
        discrimination, historical or cultural oppression, 
        intergenerational poverty, civil unrest, a high rate of 
        violence, or a high rate of drug overdose mortality.
            ``(3) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms `Indian 
        tribe' and `tribal organization' have the meanings given the 
        terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
        Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            ``(4) In-school youth; out-of-school youth.--The terms `in-
        school youth' and `out-of-school youth' have the meanings given 
        the terms in section 129(a)(1).
            ``(5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            ``(6) Subsidized employment.--The term `subsidized 
        employment' means employment for which the employer receives a 
        total or partial subsidy to offset costs of employing an 
        eligible youth under this subtitle.
            ``(7) Tribal area.--The term `tribal area' means--
                    ``(A) an area on or adjacent to an Indian 
                reservation;
                    ``(B) land held in trust by the United States for 
                Indians;
                    ``(C) a public domain Indian allotment;
                    ``(D) a former Indian reservation in Oklahoma; and
                    ``(E) land held by an incorporated Native group, 
                Regional Corporation, or Village Corporation under the 
                provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
                (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
            ``(8) Tribal college or university.--The term `tribal 
        college or university' has the meaning given the term `Tribal 
        College or University' in section 316(b) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
            ``(9) Tribally designated housing entity.--The term 
        `tribally designated housing entity', used with respect to an 
        Indian tribe (as defined in this section), has the meaning 
        given in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance 
        and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).

``SEC. 176A. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) Allocation.--Of the funds appropriated under section 176E 
that remain available after any reservation under subsection (b), the 
Secretary may make available--
            ``(1) not more than $1,500,000,000 in accordance with 
        section 176B to provide eligible youth with subsidized summer 
        employment opportunities; and
            ``(2) not more than $2,000,000,000 in accordance with 
        section 176C to provide eligible youth with subsidized year-
        round employment opportunities.
    ``(b) Reservation.--The Secretary may reserve not more than 10 
percent of the funds appropriated under section 176E to provide 
technical assistance and oversight, in order to assist eligible 
entities in applying for and administering grants awarded under this 
subtitle.

``SEC. 176B. SUMMER EMPLOYMENT COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Grants.--Using the amounts made available under 
        176A(a)(1), the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, 
        planning and implementation grants.
            ``(2) General use of funds.--The Secretary shall award the 
        grants to assist eligible entities by paying for the program 
        share of the cost of--
                    ``(A) in the case of a planning grant, planning a 
                summer youth employment program to provide subsidized 
                summer employment opportunities; and
                    ``(B) in the case of an implementation grant, 
                implementation of such a program, to provide such 
                opportunities.
    ``(b) Periods and Amounts of Grants.--
            ``(1) Planning grants.--The Secretary may award a planning 
        grant under this section for a 1-year period, in an amount of 
        not more than $200,000.
            ``(2) Implementation grants.--The Secretary may award an 
        implementation grant under this section for a 3-year period, in 
        an amount of not more than $5,000,000.
    ``(c) Eligible Entities.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a planning or 
        implementation grant under this section, an entity shall--
                    ``(A) be a--
                            ``(i) State, local government, or Indian 
                        tribe or tribal organization, that meets the 
                        requirements of paragraph (2); or
                            ``(ii) community-based organization that 
                        meets the requirements of paragraph (3); and
                    ``(B) meet the requirements for a planning or 
                implementation grant, respectively, specified in 
                paragraph (4).
            ``(2) Government partnerships.--An entity that is a State, 
        local government, or Indian tribe or tribal organization 
        referred to in paragraph (1) shall demonstrate that the entity 
        has entered into a partnership with State, local, or tribal 
        entities--
                    ``(A) that shall include--
                            ``(i) a local educational agency or tribal 
                        educational agency (as defined in section 6132 
                        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452));
                            ``(ii) a local board or tribal workforce 
                        development agency;
                            ``(iii) a State, local, or tribal agency 
                        serving youth under the jurisdiction of the 
                        juvenile justice system or criminal justice 
                        system;
                            ``(iv) a State, local, or tribal child 
                        welfare agency;
                            ``(v) a State, local, or tribal agency or 
                        community-based organization, with--
                                    ``(I) expertise in providing 
                                counseling services, and trauma-
                                informed and gender-responsive trauma 
                                prevention, identification, referral, 
                                and support (including treatment) 
                                services; and
                                    ``(II) a proven track record of 
                                serving low-income vulnerable youth and 
                                out-of-school youth; and
                            ``(vi) if the State, local government, or 
                        Indian tribe or tribal organization is seeking 
                        an implementation grant, and has not 
                        established a summer youth employment program, 
                        an entity that is carrying out a State, local, 
                        or tribal summer youth employment program; and
                            ``(vii) an employer or employer 
                        association; and
                    ``(B) that may include--
                            ``(i) an institution of higher education or 
                        tribal college or university;
                            ``(ii) a representative of a labor or 
                        labor-management organization;
                            ``(iii) an entity that carries out a 
                        program that receives funding under the 
                        Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act 
                        of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.) or section 212 
                        of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 
                        17532);
                            ``(iv) a collaborative applicant as defined 
                        in section 401 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
                        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360) or a private 
                        nonprofit organization that serves homeless 
                        individuals and households (including such an 
                        applicant or organization that serves 
                        individuals or households that are at risk of 
                        homelessness in tribal areas) or serves foster 
                        youth;
                            ``(v) an entity that carries out a program 
                        funded under the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                        Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 
                        et seq.), including Native American programs 
                        funded under section 116 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
                        2326) and tribally controlled postsecondary 
                        career and technical institution programs 
                        funded under section 117 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
                        2327);
                            ``(vi) a local or tribal youth committee;
                            ``(vii) a State or local public housing 
                        agency or a tribally designated housing entity; 
                        and
                            ``(viii) another appropriate State, local, 
                        or tribal agency.
            ``(3) Community-based organization partnerships.--A 
        community-based organization referred to in paragraph (1) shall 
        demonstrate that the organization has entered into a 
        partnership with State, local, or tribal entities--
                    ``(A) that shall include--
                            ``(i) a unit of general local government or 
                        tribal government;
                            ``(ii) an agency described in paragraph 
                        (2)(A)(i);
                            ``(iii) a local board or tribal workforce 
                        development agency;
                            ``(iv) a State, local, or tribal agency 
                        serving youth under the jurisdiction of the 
                        juvenile justice system or criminal justice 
                        system;
                            ``(v) a State, local, or tribal child 
                        welfare agency;
                            ``(vi) if the organization is seeking an 
                        implementation grant, and has not established a 
                        summer youth employment program, an entity that 
                        is carrying out a State, local, or tribal 
                        summer youth employment program; and
                            ``(vii) an employer or employer 
                        association; and
                    ``(B) that may include one or more entities 
                described in paragraph (2)(B).
            ``(4) Entities eligible for particular grants.--
                    ``(A) Entities eligible for planning grants.--The 
                Secretary may award a planning grant under this section 
                to an eligible entity that--
                            ``(i) is preparing to establish or expand a 
                        summer youth employment program that meets the 
                        minimum requirements specified in subsection 
                        (d); and
                            ``(ii) has not received a grant under this 
                        section.
                    ``(B) Entities eligible for implementation 
                grants.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary may award 
                        an implementation grant under this section to 
                        an eligible entity that--
                                    ``(I) has received a planning grant 
                                under this section; or
                                    ``(II) has established a summer 
                                youth employment program and 
                                demonstrates a minimum level of 
                                capacity to enhance or expand the 
                                summer youth employment program 
                                described in the application submitted 
                                under subsection (d).
                            ``(ii) Capacity.--In determining whether an 
                        entity has the level of capacity referred to in 
                        clause (i)(II), the Secretary may include as 
                        capacity--
                                    ``(I) the entity's staff capacity 
                                and staff training to deliver youth 
                                employment services; and
                                    ``(II) the entity's existing youth 
                                employment services (as of the date of 
                                submission of the application submitted 
                                under subsection (d)) that are 
                                consistent with the application.
    ``(d) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an 
        eligible entity desiring to receive a grant under this section 
        for a summer youth employment program shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
        including, at a minimum, each of the following:
                    ``(A) With respect to an application for a planning 
                or implementation grant--
                            ``(i) a description of the eligible youth 
                        for whom summer employment services will be 
                        provided;
                            ``(ii) a description of the eligible 
                        entity, and a description of the expected 
                        participation and responsibilities of each of 
                        the partners in the partnership described in 
                        subsection (c);
                            ``(iii) information demonstrating 
                        sufficient need for the grant in the State, 
                        local, or tribal population, which may include 
                        information showing--
                                    ``(I) a high level of unemployment 
                                among youth (including young adults) 
                                ages 14 through 24;
                                    ``(II) a high rate of out-of-school 
                                youth;
                                    ``(III) a high rate of 
                                homelessness;
                                    ``(IV) a high rate of poverty;
                                    ``(V) a high rate of adult 
                                unemployment;
                                    ``(VI) a high rate of community or 
                                neighborhood crime;
                                    ``(VII) a high rate of violence; or
                                    ``(VIII) a high level or rate on 
                                another indicator of need;
                            ``(iv) a description of the strategic 
                        objectives the eligible entity seeks to achieve 
                        through the program to provide eligible youth 
                        with core work readiness skills, which may 
                        include--
                                    ``(I) financial literacy skills, 
                                including providing the support 
                                described in section 129(b)(2)(D);
                                    ``(II) sector-based technical 
                                skills aligned with employer needs;
                                    ``(III) skills that--
                                            ``(aa) are soft employment 
                                        skills, early work skills, or 
                                        work readiness skills; and
                                            ``(bb) include social 
                                        skills, communications skills, 
                                        higher-order thinking skills, 
                                        self-control, and positive 
                                        self-concept; and
                                    ``(IV) (for the hardest-to-employ, 
                                most-at-risk eligible youth) basic 
                                skills like communication, math, and 
                                problem solving in the context of 
                                training for advancement to better jobs 
                                and postsecondary training; and
                            ``(v) information demonstrating that the 
                        eligible entity has obtained commitments to 
                        provide the non-program share described in 
                        paragraph (2) of subsection (h).
                    ``(B) With respect to an application for a planning 
                grant--
                            ``(i) a description of the intermediate and 
                        long-term goals for planning activities for the 
                        duration of the planning grant;
                            ``(ii) a description of how grant funds 
                        will be used to develop a plan to provide 
                        summer employment services for eligible youth;
                            ``(iii) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity will carry out an analysis of best 
                        practices for identifying, recruiting, and 
                        engaging program participants, in particular 
                        the hardest-to-employ, most-at-risk eligible 
                        youth;
                            ``(iv) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity will carry out an analysis of best 
                        practices for placing youth participants--
                                    ``(I) in opportunities that--
                                            ``(aa) are appropriate 
                                        subsidized employment 
                                        opportunities with employers 
                                        based on factors including age, 
                                        skill, experience, career 
                                        aspirations, work-based 
                                        readiness, and barriers to 
                                        employment; and
                                            ``(bb) may include 
                                        additional services for 
                                        participants, including core 
                                        work readiness skill 
                                        development and mentorship 
                                        services;
                                    ``(II) in summer employment that--
                                            ``(aa) is not less than 6 
                                        weeks;
                                            ``(bb) follows a schedule 
                                        of not more than 20 hours per 
                                        week; and
                                            ``(cc) pays not less than 
                                        the applicable Federal, State, 
                                        or local minimum wage; and
                            ``(v) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity plans to develop a mentorship program or 
                        connect youth with positive, supportive 
                        mentorships, consistent with paragraph (3).
                    ``(C) With respect to an application for an 
                implementation grant--
                            ``(i) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity plans to identify, recruit, and engage 
                        program participants, in particular the 
                        hardest-to-employ, most-at-risk eligible youth;
                            ``(ii) a description of the manner in which 
                        the eligible entity plans to place eligible 
                        youth participants in subsidized employment 
                        opportunities, and in summer employment, 
                        described in subparagraph (B)(iv);
                            ``(iii) (for a program serving the hardest-
                        to-employ, most-at-risk eligible youth), a 
                        description of workplaces for the subsidized 
                        employment involved, which may include 
                        workplaces in the public, private, and 
                        nonprofit sectors;
                            ``(iv) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity plans to provide or connect eligible 
                        youth participants with positive, supportive 
                        mentorships, consistent with paragraph (3);
                            ``(v) a description of services that will 
                        be available to employers participating in the 
                        youth employment program, to provide 
                        supervisors involved in the program with 
                        coaching and mentoring on--
                                    ``(I) how to support youth 
                                development;
                                    ``(II) how to structure learning 
                                and reflection; and
                                    ``(III) how to deal with youth 
                                challenges in the workplace;
                            ``(vi) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity plans to offer structured pathways back 
                        into employment and a youth employment program 
                        under this section for eligible youth who have 
                        been terminated from employment or removed from 
                        the program;
                            ``(vii) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity plans to engage eligible youth beyond 
                        the duration of the summer employment 
                        opportunity, which may include--
                                    ``(I) developing or partnering with 
                                a year-round youth employment program;
                                    ``(II) referring eligible youth to 
                                other year-round programs, which may 
                                include--
                                            ``(aa) programs funded 
                                        under section 176C or the Carl 
                                        D. Perkins Career and Technical 
                                        Education Act of 2006 (20 
                                        U.S.C. 2301 et seq.);
                                            ``(bb) after school 
                                        programs;
                                            ``(cc) secondary or 
                                        postsecondary education 
                                        programs;
                                            ``(dd) training programs;
                                            ``(ee) cognitive behavior 
                                        therapy programs;
                                            ``(ff) apprenticeship 
                                        programs; and
                                            ``(gg) national service 
                                        programs;
                                    ``(III) employing a full-time, 
                                permanent staff person who is 
                                responsible for youth outreach, 
                                followup, and recruitment; or
                                    ``(IV) connecting eligible youth 
                                with job development services, 
                                including career counseling, resume and 
                                job application assistance, interview 
                                preparation, and connections to job 
                                leads;
                            ``(viii) evidence of the eligible entity's 
                        capacity to provide the services described in 
                        this subsection; and
                            ``(ix) a description of the quality of the 
                        summer youth employment program, including a 
                        program that leads to a recognized 
                        postsecondary credential.
            ``(2) Indian tribe; tribal organizations.--An eligible 
        entity that is an Indian tribe or tribal organization and 
        desires to receive a grant under this section for a summer 
        youth employment program may, in lieu of submitting the 
        application described in paragraph (1), submit an application 
        to the Secretary that meets such requirements as the Secretary 
        develops after consultation with the tribe or organization.
            ``(3) Mentor.--For purposes of subparagraphs (B)(iv), 
        (B)(v), and (C)(iv) of paragraph (1), a mentor--
                    ``(A) shall be an individual who has been matched 
                with an eligible youth based on the youth's needs;
                    ``(B) shall make contact with the eligible youth at 
                least once each week;
                    ``(C) shall be a trusted member of the local 
                community; and
                    ``(D) may include--
                            ``(i) a mentor trained in trauma-informed 
                        care (including provision of trauma-informed 
                        trauma prevention, identification, referral, or 
                        support services to youth that have experienced 
                        or are at risk of experiencing trauma), 
                        conflict resolution, and positive youth 
                        development;
                            ``(ii) a job coach trained to provide youth 
                        with guidance on how to navigate the workplace 
                        and troubleshoot problems;
                            ``(iii) a supervisor trained to provide at 
                        least two performance assessments and serve as 
                        a reference; or
                            ``(iv) a peer mentor who is a former or 
                        current participant in the youth employment 
                        program involved.
    ``(e) Awards for Populations and Areas.--
            ``(1) Populations.--The Secretary shall reserve, from the 
        amounts made available under section 176A(a)(1)--
                    ``(A) 50 percent to award grants under this section 
                for planning or provision of subsidized summer 
                employment opportunities for in-school youth; and
                    ``(B) 50 percent to award such grants to plan for 
                planning or provision of such opportunities for out-of-
                school youth.
            ``(2) Areas.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In awarding the grants, the 
                Secretary shall consider the regional diversity of the 
                areas to be served, to ensure that urban, suburban, 
                rural, and tribal areas are receiving grant funds.
                    ``(B) Rural and tribal area inclusion.--
                            ``(i) Rural areas.--Not less than 20 
                        percent of the amounts made available under 
                        section 176A(a)(1) for each fiscal year shall 
                        be made available for activities to be carried 
                        out in rural areas.
                            ``(ii) Tribal areas.--Not less than 5 
                        percent of the amounts made available under 
                        section 176A(a)(1) for each fiscal year shall 
                        be made available for activities to be carried 
                        out in tribal areas.
    ``(f) Program Priorities.--In allocating funds under this section, 
the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities--
            ``(1) who propose to coordinate their activities--
                    ``(A) with local or tribal employers; and
                    ``(B) with agencies described in subsection 
                (c)(2)(A)(i) to ensure the summer youth employment 
                programs provide clear linkages to remedial, academic, 
                and occupational programs carried out by the agencies;
            ``(2) who propose a plan to increase private sector 
        engagement in, and job placement through, summer youth 
        employment; and
            ``(3) who have, in their counties, States, or tribal areas 
        (as compared to other counties in their State, other States, or 
        other tribal areas, respectively), a high level or rate 
        described in subsection (d)(1)(A)(iii).
    ``(g) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
        under this section may use the grant funds for services 
        described in subsection (d).
            ``(2) Discretionary uses.--The eligible entity may also use 
        the funds--
                    ``(A) to provide wages to eligible youth in 
                subsidized summer employment programs;
                    ``(B) to provide eligible youth with support 
                services, including case management, child care 
                assistance, child support services, and transportation 
                assistance; and
                    ``(C) to develop data management systems to assist 
                with programming, evaluation, and records management.
            ``(3) Administration.--An eligible entity may reserve not 
        more than 10 percent of the grant funds for the administration 
        of activities under this section.
            ``(4) Carry-over authority.--Any amounts provided to an 
        eligible entity under this section for a fiscal year may, at 
        the discretion of the Secretary, remain available to that 
        entity for expenditure during the succeeding fiscal year to 
        carry out programs under this section.
    ``(h) Program Share.--
            ``(1) Planning grants.--The program share for a planning 
        grant awarded under this section shall be 100 percent of the 
        cost described in subsection (a)(2)(A).
            ``(2) Implementation grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The program share for an 
                implementation grant awarded under this section shall 
                be 50 percent of the cost described in subsection 
                (a)(2)(B).
                    ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary--
                            ``(i) may increase the program share for an 
                        eligible entity; and
                            ``(ii) shall increase the program share for 
                        an Indian tribe or tribal organization to not 
                        less than 95 percent of the cost described in 
                        subsection (a)(2)(B).
                    ``(C) Non-program share.--The eligible entity may 
                provide the non-program share of the cost--
                            ``(i) in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, 
                        including plant, equipment, or services; and
                            ``(ii) from State, local, tribal or private 
                        (including philanthropic) sources and, in the 
                        case of an Indian tribe or tribal organization, 
                        from Federal sources.

``SEC. 176C. YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYMENT COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Grants.--Using the amounts made available under 
        176A(a)(2), the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, 
        planning and implementation grants.
            ``(2) General use of funds.--The Secretary shall award the 
        grants to assist eligible entities by paying for the program 
        share of the cost of--
                    ``(A) in the case of a planning grant, planning a 
                year-round youth employment program to provide 
                subsidized year-round employment opportunities; and
                    ``(B) in the case of an implementation grant, 
                implementation of such a program to provide such 
                opportunities.
    ``(b) Periods and Amounts of Grants.--The planning grants shall 
have the periods and amounts described in section 176B(b)(1). The 
implementation grants shall have the periods and grants described in 
section 176B(b)(2).
    ``(c) Eligible Entities.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a planning or 
        implementation grant under this section, an entity shall, 
        except as provided in paragraph (2)--
                    ``(A) be a--
                            ``(i) State, local government, or Indian 
                        tribe or tribal organization, that meets the 
                        requirements of section 176B(c)(2); or
                            ``(ii) community-based organization that 
                        meets the requirements of section 176B(c)(3); 
                        and
                    ``(B) meet the requirements for a planning or 
                implementation grant, respectively, specified in 
                section 176B(c)(4).
            ``(2) Year-round youth employment programs.--For purposes 
        of paragraph (1), any reference in section 176B(c)--
                    ``(A) to a summer youth employment program shall be 
                considered to refer to a year-round youth employment 
                program; and
                    ``(B) to a provision of section 176B shall be 
                considered to refer to the corresponding provision of 
                this section.
    ``(d) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an 
        eligible entity desiring to receive a grant under this section 
        for a year-round youth employment program shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
        including, at a minimum, each of the following:
                    ``(A) With respect to an application for a planning 
                or implementation grant, the information and 
                descriptions specified in section 176B(d)(1)(A).
                    ``(B) With respect to an application for a planning 
                grant, the descriptions specified in section 
                176B(d)(1)(B), except that the description of an 
                analysis for placing youth in employment described in 
                clause (iv)(II)(bb) of that section shall cover 
                employment that follows a schedule--
                            ``(i) that consists of--
                                    ``(I) not more than 15 hours per 
                                week for in-school youth; and
                                    ``(II) not less than 20 and not 
                                more than 40 hours per week for out-of-
                                school youth; and
                            ``(ii) that depends on the needs and work-
                        readiness level of the population being served.
                    ``(C) With respect to an application for an 
                implementation grant, the descriptions and evidence 
                specified in section 176B(d)(1)(C)--
                            ``(i) except that the reference in section 
                        176(d)(1)(C)(ii) to employment described in 
                        section 176B(d)(1)(B) shall cover employment 
                        that follows the schedule described in 
                        subparagraph (B); and
                            ``(ii) except that the reference to 
                        programs in clause (vii)(II)(aa) of that 
                        section shall be considered to refer only to 
                        programs funded under the Carl D. Perkins 
                        Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
                        U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
            ``(2) Indian tribe; tribal organizations.--An eligible 
        entity that is an Indian tribe or tribal organization and 
        desires to receive a grant under this section for a year-round 
        youth employment program may, in lieu of submitting the 
        application described in paragraph (1), submit an application 
        to the Secretary that meets such requirements as the Secretary 
        develops after consultation with the tribe or organization.
            ``(3) Mentor.--For purposes of paragraph (1), any reference 
        in subparagraphs (B)(iv), (B)(v), and (C)(iv) of section 
        176B(d)(1) to a mentor shall be considered to refer to a mentor 
        who--
                    ``(A) shall be an individual described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 176B(d)(3);
                    ``(B) shall make contact with the eligible youth at 
                least twice each week; and
                    ``(C) may be an individual described in section 
                176B(d)(3)(D).
            ``(4) Year-round employment.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, any reference in section 176B(d)--
                    ``(A) to summer employment shall be considered to 
                refer to year-round employment; and
                    ``(B) to a provision of section 176B shall be 
                considered to refer to the corresponding provision of 
                this section.
    ``(e) Awards for Populations and Areas; Priorities.--
            ``(1) Populations.--The Secretary shall reserve, from the 
        amounts made available under section 176A(a)(2)--
                    ``(A) 50 percent to award grants under this section 
                for planning or provision of subsidized year-round 
                employment opportunities for in-school youth; and
                    ``(B) 50 percent to award such grants to plan for 
                planning or provision of such opportunities for out-of-
                school youth.
            ``(2) Areas; priorities.--In awarding the grants, the 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) carry out section 176B(e)(2); and
                    ``(B) give priority to eligible entities--
                            ``(i) who--
                                    ``(I) propose the coordination and 
                                plan described paragraphs (1) and (2) 
                                of section 176B(f), with respect to 
                                year-round youth employment; and
                                    ``(II) meet the requirements of 
                                section 176B(f)(3); or
                            ``(ii) who--
                                    ``(I) propose a plan to coordinate 
                                activities with entities carrying out 
                                State, local, or tribal summer youth 
                                employment programs, to provide 
                                pathways to year-round employment for 
                                eligible youth who are ending summer 
                                employment; and
                                    ``(II) meet the requirements of 
                                section 176B(f)(3).
    ``(f) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this section may use the grant funds--
            ``(1) for services described in subsection (d);
            ``(2) as described in section 176B(g)(2), with respect to 
        year-round employment programs;
            ``(3) as described in section 176B(g)(3), with respect to 
        activities under this section; and
            ``(4) at the discretion of the Secretary, as described in 
        section 176B(g)(4), with respect to activities under this 
        section.
    ``(g) Program Share.--
            ``(1) Planning grants.--The provisions of section 
        176B(h)(1) shall apply to planning grants awarded under this 
        section, with respect to the cost described in subsection 
        (a)(2)(A).
            ``(2) Implementation grants.--The provisions of section 
        176B(h)(2) shall apply to implementation grants awarded under 
        this section, with respect to the cost described in subsection 
        (a)(2)(B).

``SEC. 176D. EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION.

    ``(a) Performance Measures.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
        performance measures for purposes of annual reviews under 
        subsection (b).
            ``(2) Components.--The performance measures for the 
        eligible entities shall consist of--
                    ``(A) the indicators of performance described in 
                paragraph (3); and
                    ``(B) an adjusted level of performance for each 
                indicator described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Indicators of performance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The indicators of performance 
                shall consist of--
                            ``(i) the percentage of youth employment 
                        program participants who are in education or 
                        training activities, or in employment, during 
                        the second quarter after exit from the program;
                            ``(ii) the percentage of youth employment 
                        program participants who are in education or 
                        training activities, or in employment, during 
                        the fourth quarter after exit from the program;
                            ``(iii) the percentage of youth employment 
                        program participants who obtain a recognized 
                        postsecondary credential, or a secondary school 
                        diploma or its recognized equivalent (subject 
                        to subparagraph (B)), during participation in 
                        or within 1 year after exit from the program; 
                        and
                            ``(iv) the percentage of youth employment 
                        program participants who, during a program 
                        year, are in a youth employment program that 
                        includes an education or training program that 
                        leads to an outcome specified by the Secretary, 
                        which may include--
                                    ``(I) obtaining a recognized 
                                postsecondary credential or employment; 
                                or
                                    ``(II) achieving measurable skill 
                                gains toward such a credential or 
                                employment.
                    ``(B) Indicator relating to credential.--For 
                purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii), youth employment 
                program participants who obtain a secondary school 
                diploma or its recognized equivalent shall be included 
                in the percentage counted as meeting the criterion 
                under such subparagraph only if such participants, in 
                addition to obtaining such diploma or its recognized 
                equivalent, have obtained or retained employment or are 
                in a youth employment program that includes an 
                education or training program leading to a recognized 
                postsecondary credential within 1 year after exit from 
                the program.
            ``(4) Levels of performance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For each eligible entity, there 
                shall be established, in accordance with this 
                paragraph, levels of performance for each of the 
                corresponding indicators of performance described in 
                paragraph (3).
                    ``(B) Identification in application.--Each eligible 
                entity shall identify, in the application submitted 
                under subsection (d) of section 176B or 176C, expected 
                levels of performance for each of those indicators of 
                performance for each program year covered by the 
                application.
                    ``(C) Agreement on adjusted levels of 
                performance.--The eligible entity shall reach agreement 
                with the Secretary on levels of performance for each of 
                those indicators of performance for each such program 
                year. The levels agreed to shall be considered to be 
                the adjusted levels of performance for the eligible 
                entity for such program years and shall be incorporated 
                into the application prior to the approval of such 
                application.
    ``(b) Annual Review.--The Secretary shall carry out an annual 
review of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this subtitle. 
In conducting the review, the Secretary shall review the performance of 
the entity on the performance measures under this section and determine 
if the entity has used any practices that shall be considered best 
practices for purposes of this subtitle.
    ``(c) Report to Congress.--
            ``(1) Preparation.--The Secretary shall prepare a report on 
        the grant programs established by this subtitle, which report 
        shall include a description of--
                    ``(A) the eligible entities receiving funding under 
                this subtitle;
                    ``(B) the activities carried out by the eligible 
                entities;
                    ``(C) how the eligible entities were selected to 
                receive funding under this subtitle; and
                    ``(D) an assessment of the results achieved by the 
                grant programs including findings from the annual 
                reviews conducted under subsection (b).
            ``(2) Submission.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of the Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act, 
        and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
        described in paragraph (1) to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress.
    ``(d) Application to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations.--The 
Secretary may issue regulations that clarify the application of all the 
provisions of this subtitle to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

``SEC. 176E. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated--
            ``(1) to carry out section 176B, $300,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2022 through 2026; and
            ``(2) to carry out section 176C, $400,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.

SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) References.--
            (1) Section 121(b)(1)(C)(ii)(II) of the Workforce 
        Investment and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3152(b)(1)(C)(ii)(II)) is amended by striking ``subtitles C 
        through E'' and inserting ``subtitles C through F''.
            (2) Section 503(b) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3343(b)) is 
        amended by inserting before the period the following: ``(as 
        such subtitles were in effect on the day before the date of 
        enactment of this Act)''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
such Act is amended by striking the item relating to the subtitle 
heading for subtitle E of title I and inserting the following:

              ``Subtitle E--Youth Employment Opportunities

``Sec. 176. Definitions.
``Sec. 176A. Allocation of funds.
``Sec. 176B. Summer employment competitive grant program.
``Sec. 176C. Year-round employment competitive grant program.
``Sec. 176D. Evaluation and administration.
``Sec. 176E. Authorization of appropriations.''.
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