HouseH.R. 10704119th Congress
Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2026
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10704 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10704
To direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants for the recruitment,
retention, and advancement of direct care workers.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 1, 2026
Mr. Scott of Virginia (for himself, Mrs. Grijalva, and Ms. Lee of
Nevada) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce, 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 direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants for the recruitment,
retention, and advancement of direct care workers.
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 ``Direct Creation, Advancement, and
Retention of Employment Opportunity Act of 2026'' or the ``Direct CARE
Opportunity Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Apprenticeship program.--The term ``apprenticeship
program'' means an apprenticeship program registered under the
Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National
Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50
et seq.).
(2) Direct care worker.--The term ``direct care worker''
means--
(A) a direct support professional;
(B) a worker providing direct care services, which
may include palliative care, in a home or community-
based setting;
(C) a respite care provider who provides short-term
support and care to an individual in order to provide
relief to a family caregiver;
(D) a direct care worker, as defined in section
799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p);
or
(E) an individual in any other position or job
related to those described in subparagraphs (A) through
(D), as determined by the Secretary of Labor, in
consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services.
(3) Direct support professional.--The term ``direct support
professional'' means a worker who provides services, in a home
or community-based setting, to individuals with disabilities
that promote their independence, well-being, and community
inclusion, including--
(A) providing services related to job coaching and
career development, employment assistance, or the
pursuit of personal goals;
(B) aiding activities of daily living;
(C) supporting communication; or
(D) providing habilitation services or other
supports.
(4) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an
entity that is--
(A) a State;
(B) a labor organization or a joint labor-
management organization;
(C) a nonprofit organization with experience in
aging, disability, supporting the rights and interests
of direct care workers, or training or educating direct
care workers;
(D) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization;
(E) an urban Indian organization;
(F) a State board or local board;
(G) a nonprofit or governmental organization--
(i) with expertise in identifying and
addressing the care needs of older individuals
and individuals with disabilities and their
caregivers; and
(ii) which may include one or more of the
following--
(I) an area agency on aging (as
defined in section 102 of the Older
Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3002));
(II) a center for independent
living (as described in part C of title
VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.)); or
(III) an Aging and Disability
Resource Center (as defined in section
102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965
(42 U.S.C. 3002));
(H) when in partnership with an entity described in
any of subparagraphs (A) through (G) or with a
consortium described in subparagraph (I)--
(i) an institution of higher education; or
(ii) an area career and technical education
school; or
(I) a consortium of entities listed in any of
subparagraphs (A) through (G).
(5) Employ; employer.--The terms ``employ'' and
``employer'' have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of
the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 203 et seq.).
(6) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms ``Indian
tribe'' and ``tribal organization'' have the meanings given
such terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(7) Individual with a significant disability.--The term
``individual with a significant disability'' has the meaning
given the term in section 7 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 705).
(8) 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) or section 102(a)(1)(B) of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1002(a)(1)(B)).
(9) Secretary; secretary of labor.--The terms ``Secretary''
and ``Secretary of Labor'' means the Secretary of Labor, acting
through the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training.
(10) Secretary of health and human services.--The term
``Secretary of Health and Human Services'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator
for the Administration for Community Living.
(11) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the
term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(12) Supportive services.--The term ``supportive services''
means services such as transportation, child care, dependent
care, food, housing, and needs-related payments, that are
necessary to enable an individual to participate in a strategy
to be funded with a grant under this Act.
(13) Workforce innovation and opportunity act terms.--The
terms ``area career and technical education school'', ``career
pathway'', ``career planning'', ``eligible youth'', ``in-demand
industry sector or occupation'', ``individual with a barrier to
employment'', ``individual with a disability'', ``local
board'', ``older individual'', ``one-stop center'', ``on-the-
job training'', ``recognized postsecondary credential'',
``region'', and ``State board'' have the meanings given such
terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(14) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based learning''
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO AWARD GRANTS; DURATION.
(a) Authority To Award Grants.--Not later than 12 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall--
(1) enter into an interagency agreement described in
subsection (b) with the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
and
(2) from the amounts appropriated under section 9(a) (and
not reserved under section 9(a)(2)), and in accordance with
such interagency agreement, award grants to eligible entities
to assist such entities in developing and implementing
strategies for the recruitment, retention, or advancement of
direct care workers.
(b) Interagency Agreement.--
(1) Purposes of agreement.--The Secretary of Labor shall
enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services for--
(A) assistance in administering or awarding grants
under this section; or
(B) technical assistance under this Act.
(2) Contents of agreement.--An agreement entered into under
paragraph (1)--
(A) shall specify--
(i) whether the criteria or procedures to
be developed or used for a purpose described in
paragraph (1) will be the procedures or
criteria of the Secretary of Labor or the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, or
whether a single set of criteria will be
developed by both Secretaries for such purpose;
and
(ii) whether applicants for a grant under
this Act will be required to submit a single
application for joint review by the Secretary
of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services; and
(B) may, for a purpose described in paragraph (1)--
(i) transfer to the Secretary of Health and
Human Services from the Secretary of Labor a
portion of the amounts appropriated by section
9(a) (and not reserved under section 9(a)(2));
or
(ii) transfer to the Secretary of Labor
from the Secretary of Health and Human Services
a portion of the amounts appropriated by
section 9(b).
(c) Duration.--A grant under this Act shall be for not less than 5
years.
SEC. 4. APPLICATIONS; CONSULTATION.
(a) Applications.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under
this Act shall submit to the Secretary an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, may require, which shall include the
information listed in paragraph (2).
(2) Contents.--An application submitted under paragraph (1)
by an eligible entity seeking a grant under this Act shall
include each of the following:
(A) Information with respect to the State or
geographic area to be served by such grant, including
the following:
(i) Demographic information regarding the
population, including a description of the
populations likely to need direct care
services, such as the aging population and
individuals with significant disabilities.
(ii) Projections of unmet need for direct
care services, which may include, enrollment on
a home and community-based services waiting
list (as defined in section 1902(yy)(2) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(yy)(2)),
demand for long-term care provided through the
Department of Veterans Affairs, demand for
services provided under title III of the Older
Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3021 et seq.),
or other relevant data to the extent
practicable.
(iii) Current and projected job openings
for direct care workers and relevant labor
market information related to such workers, and
the geographic scope of the workforce to be
served.
(B) A description of each specific strategy that
the eligible entity will develop and implement using
the grant to reduce barriers to recruitment, retention,
or advancement of direct care workers, including--
(i) a description of how the eligible
entity will consult and coordinate with the
entities described in subsection (b) on the
development and implementation of the strategy;
and
(ii) an assurance that the eligible entity
will implement the strategy in consultation
with--
(I) individuals receiving direct
care services, including the aging
population and individuals with
disabilities; and
(II) individuals performing direct
care services, which may include family
caregivers.
(C) In the case in which a strategy described in
subparagraph (B) will include the provision of wages
(or other compensation or benefits) to direct care
workers (or individuals training to become such
workers) participating in activities carried out under
the strategy--
(i) an assurance that the provision of such
wages will result in a wage for such workers
that is not less than the greater of--
(I) the minimum wage required under
section 6(a) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
206(a)); or
(II) the applicable wage required
by other applicable Federal or State
law, or a collective bargaining
agreement; and
(ii) an assessment of the wages (or other
compensation or benefits) necessary to recruit,
retain, or advance direct care workers.
(D) An assurance that the eligible entity will take
such steps as may be necessary to reduce or eliminate
barriers, including financial barriers, to recipients
of direct care services or other benefits provided by
any individual who is participating in an activity
carried out under the strategy.
(E) An assurance that the eligible entity will not
charge any participant of such an activity who is a
direct care worker or an individual training to be such
a worker for any education, training, or supportive
services or other benefits provided under the activity.
(F) A description of any supportive services and
other benefits that will be provided by such grant to
enable individuals to participate in any of the
activities to be carried out under the strategy.
(G) An assurance that the eligible entity will
provide adequate and safe equipment or facilities for
the training and supervision of direct care workers
participating in any activity carried out under the
strategy, including an assurance that the eligible
entity will provide--
(i) a safe work environment (which may
include the provision of personal protective
equipment and other necessary equipment to
prevent the spread of infectious disease among
workers and recipients of direct care
services);
(ii) a work environment that is free from
discrimination, retaliation, and violence; and
(iii) adequate training for mentors and
qualified instructors to ensure compliance with
this subparagraph, including any equipment that
may be provided under clause (i).
(H) In the case of an eligible entity that will use
the grant to offer an education and training program
described in section 5(a)(2)(A)--
(i) a description of such program,
including any curricula, models, and standards
used under the program, and any recognized
postsecondary credentials for which the program
provides preparation, as applicable, and the
training services, if any, provided under the
program; and
(ii) an assurance that such program will
meet the applicable requirements under section
5(a)(2)(A).
(I) In the case of an eligible entity that will use
such grant for the provision of the career planning
described in section 5(a)(2)(C), a description of such
career planning and how such career planning will meet
the requirements of section 5(a)(2)(C).
(J) In the case of an eligible entity that will use
such grant to develop or implement an innovative model
or process to support the retention and career
advancement of direct care workers, a description of
such model or process.
(K) A description of the outreach efforts that the
eligible entity will use to identify individuals who
may benefit from participating in an activity to be
carried out under a strategy described in subparagraph
(B), including targeted outreach efforts to--
(i) individuals who are recipients of
assistance under a State program funded under
part A of title IV of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
(ii) individuals who are eligible for such
assistance; and
(iii) other individuals with barriers to
employment.
(L) How the eligible entity will collect and submit
to the Secretary workforce data and outcomes of each
strategy funded under such grant, including for
purposes of evaluating or reviewing the strategy under
section 6.
(3) Considerations.--In selecting eligible entities to
receive a grant under this Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) ensure--
(i) to the extent practicable based on the
applications submitted under this subsection,
equitable geographic and demographic diversity,
including among rural and urban areas; and
(ii) that selected eligible entities will
serve areas where direct care work, or a
related occupation, is an in-demand industry
sector or occupation; and
(B) give priority to eligible entities proposing to
predominantly serve the individuals described in
paragraph (2)(K).
(b) Consultation.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under
this Act shall consult on the development and implementation of any
strategy for the recruitment, retention, or advancement of direct care
workers to be funded with such grant, and coordinate the implementation
of such strategy with--
(1) each applicable State board or local board, to the
extent that each such State board or local board is not the
eligible entity; and
(2) to the extent practicable--
(A) institutions of higher education in the State
or local areas to be served by the grant;
(B) the State Apprenticeship Agency recognized
under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the
``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter
663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), for the State or region to
be served by the grant or, if no such agency has been
recognized in the State or region, the Office of
Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor;
(C) the State agency responsible for administering
the State plan under title XIX of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), the State agency
operating a waiver to provide home and community-based
services under section 1915(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396n(c)) or a waiver or demonstration project to
provide such services under section 1115 of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1315), or the State agency with primary
responsibility for providing services and supports for
individuals with intellectual disabilities and
individuals with developmental disabilities;
(D) in the case of an eligible entity that uses the
grant to carry out an education and training program
described in section 5(a)(2)(A), a nonprofit
organization with demonstrated experience in the
development or delivery of curricula or coursework;
(E) an organization that fosters the professional
development and collective engagement of direct care
workers, including labor organizations or joint labor-
management organizations;
(F) a nonprofit or governmental organization
described in section 2(4)(G);
(G) the State Developmental Disability Council (as
such term is used in subtitle B of title I of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of
Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15021 et seq.);
(H) a nonprofit State provider association that
represents providers that employ direct care workers,
where such associations exist; and
(I) an entity that employs direct care workers.
SEC. 5. USES OF FUNDS; ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.
(a) Uses of Funds.--
(1) Development and implementation of strategies.--Each
eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall use such
grant to develop and implement a strategy for the recruitment,
retention, or advancement of direct care workers by carrying
out the requirements of not less than one of the subparagraphs
of paragraph (2), except that an eligible entity described in
section 2(4)(H) shall use such grant to, at a minimum, carry
out the requirements of paragraph (2)(B).
(2) Requirements.--In developing and implementing a
strategy described in paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall
carry out the requirements of not less than one of the
following subparagraphs:
(A) Developing and implementing an education and
training program that--
(i) shall provide each program participant
relevant training regarding the rights of
recipients of direct care services, including
the rights of such recipients to--
(I) receive such services in the
most integrated setting;
(II) exercise self-determination;
and
(III) be free from physical,
sexual, and financial abuse, and
discrimination;
(ii) may include any of the following
training services, which are provided primarily
in-person and not online--
(I) training on the in-demand
skills and competencies of direct care
occupations, including the provision of
culturally competent services to
recipients of direct care; or
(II) an apprenticeship program,
work-based learning, experiential
learning, or on-the-job training
opportunities; and
(iii) in the case in which such program
includes on-the-job training, shall provide a
progressively increasing, clearly defined
schedule of wages to be paid to participants of
such training that--
(I) is consistent with skill gains,
or attainment of a recognized
postsecondary credential to be received
as a result of participation in or
completion of such program; and
(II) ensures that the wage for such
participants is not less than the
greater of--
(aa) the minimum wage
required under section 6(a) of
the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)); or
(bb) the applicable wage
required by other applicable
Federal or State law, or a
collective bargaining
agreement.
(B) Developing and implementing a career pathway
program that leads to higher wages and benefits for
participating direct care workers, which shall
include--
(i) the planning and implementation of the
career pathways program between employers who
hire such participants and such eligible
entity;
(ii) the development and expansion of new
or existing programs that utilize career
pathway design elements, and which may include
the development and expansion of--
(I) dual-enrollment approaches for
secondary students or eligible youth
seeking to participate in a career
pathway program;
(II) multiple entry and exit points
into pathways for participants;
(III) sequenced, connected
curricula, and the establishment of
stackable credentials; or
(IV) supports that help working
students and other nontraditional and
adult student populations persist along
pathways and attain recognized
postsecondary credentials;
(iii) the provision of training services as
described in subparagraph (A)(ii);
(iv) the provision of supportive services;
or
(v) any other evidence-based activities
identified by the eligible entity as necessary
to support the development or implementation of
such career pathway program.
(C) Providing career planning to support the
identification of advancement opportunities and career
pathways for direct care workers, in coordination with
employers, in the State or region to be served by the
grant.
(D) Providing wages (or other compensation or
benefits), supportive services, mentoring, or other
career supports to direct care workers (or individuals
training to be such workers), which provided alone, or
in combination with any of the activities listed in
this paragraph, facilitates the recruitment, retention,
or advancement of such workers.
(E) Any other activity that the Secretary
determines appropriate for implementing a strategy for
the recruitment, retention, or advancement of direct
care workers.
(3) Continuation of existing strategies.--An eligible
entity that, as of the day on which the grant program under
this Act is announced in the Federal Register, has been
implementing a strategy that carries out the requirements of
not less than one of the subparagraphs of paragraph (2) may use
a grant received under this Act to continue implementing such
strategy.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant
under this Act may not use more than 7 percent of the funds of such
grant for costs associated with the administration of the strategies
implemented using the grant, and the evaluations and reports of such
strategies under section 6.
(c) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this Act shall use such grant only to supplement, and not
supplant, the amount of funds that, in the absence of such grant, would
be available for the recruitment, retention, or advancement of direct
care workers in the State or region served by the grant.
SEC. 6. EVALUATIONS AND REPORTS.
(a) Eligible Entities.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant
under this Act shall submit to the Secretary of Labor and the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to each
strategy for the recruitment, retention, or advancement of
direct care workers funded with such grant--
(A) for each year of the grant period, an annual
report on the progress and outcomes of the strategy;
and
(B) not later 6 months after the completion of such
strategy, a final report on the progress and outcomes
of the strategy.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) by
an eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall
include each of the following, which shall be disaggregated in
accordance with paragraph (3):
(A) A description of each strategy funded by the
grant, including--
(i) the number of individuals who are
direct care workers or training to be direct
care workers who participated in the activities
carried out under such strategy;
(ii) a description of each activity carried
out under such strategy; and
(iii) the outcomes of such strategy,
including the number of individuals or families
receiving direct care services or other
benefits provided by participants of any such
activities.
(B) In the case of such a strategy that includes an
education and training program--
(i) the number of participants in such
program who complete such program,
disaggregated by the type of education and
training completed (including work-based
learning, on-the-job training, an
apprenticeship program, and a professional
development or mentoring program);
(ii) the number of such participants who
complete such program and who attain employment
as a direct care worker after participating in
such program, disaggregated in accordance with
clause (i); and
(iii) the submission of the data necessary
(as defined by the Secretary of Labor) to
measure employment outcomes for each such
program with respect to the indicators of
performance on unsubsidized employment, median
earnings, credential attainment, measurable
skill gains, and employer satisfaction, as
determined in accordance with subclauses (I)
through (VI), respectively, of section
116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(i)).
(C) In the case of such a strategy that includes
the provision of supportive services--
(i) the number of participants of such
strategy who--
(I) needed supportive services and
received such services; and
(II) needed supportive services and
did not receive such services; and
(ii) a description of the supportive
services provided.
(D) How the eligible entity evaluates satisfaction
with respect to--
(i) participants of an activity carried out
under the strategy funded by such grant;
(ii) individuals receiving direct care
services or other benefits provided by such
participants, including--
(I) any impact on the health or
health outcomes of such individuals;
and
(II) any impact on the ability of
individuals to transition to or remain
in the community in an environment that
meets the criteria established in
section 441.301(c)(4) of title 42, Code
of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulations); and
(iii) employers of such participants, as
determined in accordance with section
116(b)(2)(A)(i)(VI) of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3141(b)(2)(A)(i)(VI)).
(3) Disaggregation.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
information described in paragraph (2) shall be
disaggregated--
(i) by race, disability, ethnicity, sex,
and age of the individuals receiving direct
care services under this Act;
(ii) by each subpopulation listed in
subparagraphs (A) through (N) of section 3(24)
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3102(24)) of the individuals who are
direct care workers or training to be direct
care workers who participated in a strategy
funded under this Act; and
(iii) by the individuals receiving direct
care services under this Act who are described
in section 4(a)(2)(K).
(B) Exceptions.--The disaggregation described in
clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall
not be required in a case in which the number of
individuals in a category or subpopulation is
insufficient to yield statistically reliable
information or the results would reveal personally
identifiable information about an individual.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the completion
of the final strategy funded by the last grant awarded under this Act,
the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress, and make publicly
available, a report containing--
(1) the progress and outcomes of the strategies identified
in the final reports submitted by eligible entities under
subsection (a)(1)(B);
(2) any specific successful strategies (as determined on
the basis of such final reports) that can also support family
caregivers;
(3) an analysis of the workforce supply, current and
projected shortages, and distribution of direct care workers at
the national, regional, and State levels; and
(4) recommendations for legislative or administrative
action.
SEC. 7. GAO REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the Secretary submits to Congress the
report under section 6(b), the Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report including--
(1) an assessment of the effect that the strategies in the
recruitment, retention, or advancement of direct care workers
funded under this Act have had on the supply of such workers in
the labor market;
(2) any specific successful strategies (as determined on
the basis of the assessment in paragraph (1)) that can also
support family caregivers; and
(3) recommendations for legislative or administrative
actions.
SEC. 8. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 5 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, from the amounts reserved under section 9(a)(2),
the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Health
and Human Services, shall provide technical assistance to eligible
entities receiving a grant under this Act, including technical
assistance to--
(1) ensure that such entities carry out one or more of the
activities described in section 5(a)(2); and
(2) assist such entities in complying with the--
(A) the data collection requirements of section
6(a)(2)(B)(iii); and
(B) the disaggregation requirements of section
6(a)(3).
(b) National Technical Assistance Center.--In addition to
activities authorized under section 411(a)(13) of the Older Americans
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3032(a)(13)) and the activities authorized under
subtitle E of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of
Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15081 et seq.), the amounts appropriated
by section 9(b) of this Act shall be used by the Assistant Secretary
for Aging of the Administration for Community Living of the Department
of Health and Human Services to--
(1) provide the technical assistance described in
subsection (a);
(2) disseminate tools, resources, information, and best
practices to assist State systems (including Medicaid, aging,
disability, and workforce agencies), as well as service
providers, and aging, disability, and labor stakeholders, to
support the development and coordination of policies and
programs that contribute to a stable, robust direct care
workforce;
(3) bolster partnerships and support collaboration between
or among the State systems, service providers, and stakeholders
described in paragraph (2) to support the direct care
workforce; and
(4) any other activities that are necessary to strengthen
the direct care workforce, as determined by the Assistant
Secretary.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to require or authorize the establishment of a new technical assistance
center to carry out the activities authorized under section 411(a)(13)
of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3032(a)(13)).
SEC. 9. FUNDING.
(a) Grant Program.--
(1) In general.--In addition to amounts otherwise
available, there is authorized to be appropriated, and there is
appropriated, for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032,
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
$300,000,000 to carry out this Act (other than section 8(b)),
to remain available until September 30, 2032.
(2) Reservation of funds for technical assistance.--Of the
amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the
Secretary of Labor shall reserve up to 2 percent to provide the
technical assistance described in section 8(a).
(b) National Technical Assistance Center.--In addition to amounts
otherwise available, there is authorized to be appropriated, and there
is appropriated, for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032, out of
any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $6,000,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2032, to carry out--
(1) the activities authorized under section 411(a)(13) of
the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3032(a)(13));
(2) the activities authorized under subtitle E of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of
2000 (42 U.S.C. 15081 et seq.); and
(3) the activities described in section 8(b) of this Act.
<all>