HB 26-17: The Youth Preparedness Act of 2020 (Passed)

[SevenEleven]

Aye.

[Poirot]

Nay
The exclusion of faith based organizations was added out of the blue at the end. The original proposal included faith based organizations. I understand comments made about religious discrimination as people wanted to have protection and assurances. The indepedent council looking at organizations to see if they meet criteria could do the job of supervision if a criteria of non-discrimination or religious freedom is added.

[Joseph Cao]

I'm with Poirot on this. To be clear, I fully support the bill's aims and much of the programs it establishes, and when it inevitably passes the House I will be the first to cheer the benefits it brings to our nation's youth. But placing a blanket exclusion on faith-based organizations is counterproductive to what the bill aims to do when our goal is to help our youth succeed, regardless of the type of nonprofit organization that does a good enough job at that to receive government assistance. The bill could have been made better and more effective were it not for this particular exclusion.

Nay.

[SevenEleven]

By a vote of 4-2-0-3 this bill passes.

[Mike Thick]

AN ACT

To establish after-school youth development programs across the nation by strengthening employment preparation skills, career exploration, career development, and workforce opportunities

Be it ordained by the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Section 1. Title
a. The title of this legislation shall be the Youth Preparedness Act of 2020

Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to establish or expand activities to—

a. Increase access and opportunities for youth to obtain the education and training that youth need to succeed in the labor market;
b. Support engagement in and the integration of programs and activities offered during out-of-school-time hours through the workforce investment, education, and economic development systems;
c. Improve the quality of the workforce and meet the skill requirements of employers;
d. Engage employers in addressing the training, skill, and employment needs of youth and youth jobseekers, and fostering opportunities for connection and economic mobility; and
e. Include younger youth in the education and workforce investment activities in an age and developmentally appropriate manner.

Section 3. Definitions
As defined in this Act:

a. Community-based organization
    i. The term community-based organization means a youth-serving private nonprofit organization (which may not include a faith-based organization) that—
    ii. is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community;
    iii. has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in workforce development; and
    iv. has demonstrated expertise—
    v. in the planning and delivery of education, training, and related activities that are included in a career pathway;
    vi. in forging coordination and cooperation between educators and other members of the community; and
    vii. in development and implementation of data systems that measure the progress of students and outcomes of career pathways.
b. An independent council shall determine if a Community-based organization meets these standards
    i. These councils will consist of appointees by governors at the state level.

Section 4. Establishment
a. This act shall hereby establish a Workforce readiness program.
The term workforce readiness program means an out-of-school-time program that—
    i. Meets the requirements of section 3;
    ii. is offered by a community-based organization of an eligible entity or a related covered partnership; and
    iii. is intended to help prepare eligible youth for the workforce.

Section 5. Grant program establishment

a. Grants
Using the amounts made available under section 9, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities.
b. General use of funds
Grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis, to assist eligible entities in planning, developing, and implementing nationwide, comprehensive workforce readiness programs, that are—
    i. in out-of-school-time programs;
    ii. carried out by community-based organizations of the eligible entity or related covered partnerships; and
    iii. for eligible youth.
c. Periods of grants
Grants will be awarded for periods of not less than 3 years and not more than 5 years.

People's House of Representatives Assembled
Passed 4-2-0-3 by the People's House of Representatives Assembled
x SevenEleven