To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 119-hr-2099
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]
Introduced: 2025-03-14
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Latest action: action_date: 2025-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2099 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 14, 2025 Mr. Allen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce A BILL To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs, and for other purposes.

1. State workforce development board Section 101(d)(3)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3111(d)(3)(D) ) is amended— (1) by striking and jobseekers and inserting jobseekers, and entrepreneurs ; and (2) by inserting and entrepreneurial skills development and microenterprise services after occupations . 2. Identification of eligible providers of training services Section 122(a)(2)(C) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3152(a)(2)(C) ) is amended by inserting and providers of entrepreneurial skills development programs after organizations . 3. Required local employment and training activities Section 134(c)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A) ) is amended— (1) in clause (iv)— (A) in subclause (I)— (i) in item (aa), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (cc) provision of information on entrepreneurship, as appropriate; and ; (B) in subclause (II), by adding and after the semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (III) referral to microenterprise services, as appropriate; ; (2) in clause (vi)— (A) in subclause (I), by inserting , which may include resources to support entrepreneurship, after listings ; and (B) in subclause (III), by inserting , which may include entrepreneurship opportunities, after demand ; and (3) in clause (xiii), by inserting or entrepreneurial opportunities after workplace . 4. Evaluations and research Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3224 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (4)— (i) by redesignating subparagraph (K) as subparagraph (L); and (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following: (K) Study on entrepreneurial skills development programs The Secretary shall, through a grant or contract, conduct a three-year multistate study on entrepreneurial skills development programs, which shall include the following: (i) A review of— (I) successful practices for developing entrepreneurial skills of individuals; (II) evidence-based and other best practices for mentoring potential entrepreneurs; (III) the qualifications needed for skills development providers to successfully develop the entrepreneurial skills of individuals; (IV) strategies for engaging employers and other private sector partners; (V) such program outcomes that correlate with entrepreneurial success; (VI) how such programs successfully measure the progress of participants in such programs; (VII) the extent to which such programs lead to industry recognized credentials; (VIII) the impact, including the economic impact, of such programs on States and local communities; (IX) the extent to which such programs affect business development and job creation in States and local communities; (X) how such programs identify potential program participants’ readiness for the program; and (XI) the average earnings of participants who complete such a program three years after the date of completion of such program. (ii) Recommendations for States and local communities to expand access to such programs. ; and (B) in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting which shall include individuals pursuing entrepreneurship, after particular service populations, ; and (2) in subsection (c), by striking the third sentence and inserting the following: Such projects may include demonstration and pilot projects relating to promoting self-employment, promoting entrepreneurship, promoting job creation (especially for in-demand industry sectors or occupations), averting dislocations, assisting dislocated farmers, assisting dislocated fishermen, developing career pathways and encouraging advancements, and promoting public works. .