IT Service Corps Act

Bill: 118-hr-3975
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]
Introduced: 2023-06-09
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Latest action: action_date: 2023-06-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3975 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 9, 2023 Mr. Kilmer (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish service programs dedicated to digital equity, and for other purposes.

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