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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4578 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4578
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a
career pathways grant program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 20, 2026
Ms. Hassan (for herself, Mr. Young, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Kaine)
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 establish a
career pathways grant program.
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 ``Gateway to Careers Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. CAREER PATHWAYS GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``SEC. 173. CAREER PATHWAYS GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Career pathway partnership applicant.--
``(A) In general.--The term `career pathway
partnership applicant' means a partnership that
includes--
``(i) a workforce development partner;
``(ii) an education partner; and
``(iii) an employer partner.
``(B) Workforce development partner.--A workforce
development partner described in subparagraph (A) means
one or more of the following:
``(i) A State board or a local board.
``(ii) An industry association or other
representative of multiple employers in the
target industry, including an eligible industry
or sector partnership.
``(iii) A community-based organization with
experience in providing employment, education,
or support services relevant to the career
pathway and student populations receiving
services under the grant under this section.
``(iv) Another State entity with experience
transitioning individuals into the workforce
(including through a community rehabilitation
program (as defined in section 7 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 705))),
such as a State comprehensive rehabilitation
center.
``(C) Education partner.--An education partner
described in subparagraph (A) means one or more of the
following:
``(i) An institution of higher education,
as defined in section 101 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), or a
postsecondary vocational institution, as
defined in section 102(c) of such Act (20
U.S.C. 1002(c)).
``(ii) An area career and technical
education school that provides education at the
postsecondary level.
``(iii) A local educational agency, as
defined under section 8101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
``(iv) An eligible provider, as defined
under section 203.
``(D) Employer partner.--An employer partner
described in subparagraph (A) means a representative of
multiple businesses or other employers in the career
pathways field, including small and medium-sized
employers.
``(2) Eligible industry or sector partnership.--The term
`eligible industry or sector partnership' means--
``(A) an industry or sector partnership, which
shall, at a minimum, include multiple representatives
described in each of clauses (i) through (iii) of
paragraph (26)(A) of section 3; or
``(B) a partnership, of multiple entities described
in section 3(26) and a State board or local board, that
is in the process of establishing an industry or sector
partnership.
``(3) Measurable skill gains.--The term `measurable skill
gains' has the meaning given the term in section
361.155(a)(1)(v) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (or
successor regulations).
``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Labor.
``(5) Universal design for learning.--The term `universal
design for learning' has the meaning given the term in section
103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).
``(b) Program Established.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Education, shall establish a career pathway grant
program, through which the Secretary shall award grants, on a
competitive basis, to State workforce agencies to enable the
State workforce agencies to award subgrants to career pathway
partnership applicants to carry out the activities described in
subsection (e).
``(2) Grant awards to career pathway partnership
applicants.--In the case of a State in which the State
workforce agency does not apply for a grant under this section,
the Secretary may award a grant to a career pathway partnership
applicant to carry out the activities described in subsection
(e) in such State.
``(c) Application for Grants.--A State workforce agency that
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the
Secretary may require.
``(d) Geographic Equity.--In awarding grants under this section,
the Secretary shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution of such
grants, including to rural areas and other regions that have
traditionally been underserved by regional economic development and
industry or sector partnership activities.
``(e) Subgrants to Career Pathway Partnership Applicants and
Technical Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--A State workforce agency that receives a
grant under this section shall use the grant funds--
``(A) to award subgrants to career pathway
partnership applicants; and
``(B) to provide technical assistance in applying
for subgrants under this section to eligible career
pathway partnership applicants.
``(2) Applications.--A career pathway partnership applicant
desiring to receive a subgrant under this section shall submit
an application to the State workforce agency, at such time and
in such manner as the State workforce agency may require. Such
application shall include the following information:
``(A) A description of the career pathway program
that will be supported under the subgrant, including a
description of the in-demand industry sectors or
occupations that will be targeted and the industry-
recognized credentials or other recognized
postsecondary credentials to be awarded.
``(B) A description of how the career pathway
program supported under the subgrant is aligned and
coordinated with other employment, education, and
support services offered in the geographic area served
under the subgrant, including those provided under this
Act, the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001
et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), the
supplemental nutrition assistance program established
under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011
et seq.), and the program of block grants to States for
temporary assistance for needy families under part A of
title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.).
``(C) A description of the populations that will be
served under the subgrant, including an analysis of any
barriers to employment, such as supportive services,
including in postsecondary education, access, and
completion, that such populations face, and an analysis
of how the services to be provided under the subgrant
will address those barriers.
``(D) A description of the activities and services
to be provided under this subgrant, consistent with
paragraph (4).
``(E) A description of the performance outcomes
that the career pathway partnership applicant plans to
achieve, including a description of how the career
pathway partnership applicant will evaluate and measure
student progress and measurable skill gains along a
career pathway.
``(F) Such other information as the State workforce
agency may require.
``(3) Priority.--In awarding subgrants under this
subsection, the State workforce agency shall--
``(A) give priority to career pathway partnership
applicants that include as a partner in the partnership
a public institution of higher education at which the
highest degree that is predominantly awarded to
students is an associate's degree, including 2-year
Tribal Colleges or Universities under section 316 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c),
public 2-year State institutions of higher education,
and the campuses of 4-year public institutions of
higher education at which the highest degree that is
predominantly awarded to students in an associate's
degree;
``(B) give priority to career pathway partnership
applicants that seek to serve individuals with a
barrier to employment or individuals with a barrier to
postsecondary education; and
``(C) give priority to career pathway partnership
applicants that will use subgrant funds for an
activity, strategy, or intervention that--
``(i) demonstrates, using evidence-based
data, improving student outcomes or other
relevant outcomes based on--
``(I) strong evidence from not less
than 1 well-designed and well-
implemented experimental study;
``(II) moderate evidence from not
less than 1 well-designed and well-
implemented quasi-experimental study;
or
``(III) promising evidence from not
less than 1 well-designed and well-
implemented correlational study with
statistical controls for selection
bias;
``(ii) demonstrates a rationale based on
high quality research finding or positive
evaluation that such activity, strategy, or
intervention is likely to improve student
outcomes or other relevant outcomes; and
``(iii) includes ongoing efforts to examine
the effects of such activity, strategy, or
intervention.
``(4) Use of funds.--
``(A) Developing and implementing career pathway
programs.--A career pathway partnership applicant that
receives a subgrant under this subsection shall use the
subgrant funds to carry out activities that support the
development and implementation of a career pathway
program, which shall include one or more of the
following:
``(i) The planning and implementation of
agreements between the partners of the career
pathway partnership applicant to support
seamless transitions between elements of the
career pathway program offered by different
partners, as appropriate.
``(ii) The development and expansion of new
or existing programs at the career pathway
partnership applicant that utilize integrated
education and training strategies, and support
multiple entry and exit points for working
learners, which may include--
``(I) dual-enrollment approaches
for secondary students or disconnected
youth seeking to participate in a
career pathway program;
``(II) strategies that help working
students and other nontraditional and
adult student populations access skills
and recognized credentials; and
``(III) strategies that incorporate
the principles of universal design for
learning and other evidence-based
practices known to support individuals
with disabilities.
``(iii) The provision of evidence-based
professional development for faculty and other
staff at the career pathway partnership
applicant, which may incorporate the principles
of universal design for learning, as
appropriate.
``(iv) The acquisition of equipment
necessary to support the delivery of career
pathway programs supported through the
subgrant, and minor alterations to support the
use of the equipment.
``(v) Any other evidence-based activities
identified by the career pathway partnership
applicant as necessary to support the
development or implementation of career pathway
programs, as long as such activities are
clearly outlined in the subgrant application.
``(B) Student support services.--In addition to the
activities described in subparagraph (A), a career
pathway partnership applicant receiving a subgrant
under this subsection shall use subgrant funds to
provide student support services to students engaged in
career pathway programs to enable career pathway
program participation and completion, which may
include--
``(i) the provision of direct support
services such as childcare, transportation,
mental health and substance use disorder
treatment, assistance in obtaining health
insurance coverage, and assistance in accessing
the supplemental nutrition assistance program
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the special
supplemental nutrition program for women,
infants, and children established by section 17
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1786), housing, and other benefits, as
appropriate;
``(ii) offering career pathway navigation
and case management services, including
providing information and outreach to target
populations to encourage individuals to take
part in programs and service offerings; and
``(iii) the provision of emergency grants
to help students facing financial hardships
that may impact enrollment or completion of an
element of a career pathway program.
``(5) Reports.--
``(A) Report to the secretary.--Each State
workforce agency receiving a grant under this section
shall submit a report to the Secretary, on an annual
basis, describing--
``(i) the activities provided under the
subgrants awarded under this section, including
activities carried out directly by career
pathway partnership applicants;
``(ii) the students receiving services
under the subgrants, disaggregated by age, race
or ethnicity, gender, barriers to employment,
and income;
``(iii) the quality of jobs in which
students receiving services through a career
pathway program carried out through subgrants
under this section are employed after exit from
the program; and
``(iv) indicators of performance for
students receiving services through a career
pathway program carried out through subgrants
under this section, disaggregated by
participant type as described in clause (ii),
including, at a minimum--
``(I) the percentage of program
participants who are in unsubsidized
employment prior to enrollment in the
career pathway program;
``(II) the percentage of program
participants who are in unsubsidized
employment during the second quarter
after exit from the program;
``(III) the percentage of program
participants who are in unsubsidized
employment during the fourth quarter
after exit from the program;
``(IV) the median earnings of
program participants who are in
unsubsidized employment prior to
enrollment in the career pathway
program;
``(V) the median earnings of
program participants who are in
unsubsidized employment during the
second quarter after exit from the
program;
``(VI) the percentage of program
participants who obtain a recognized
postsecondary credential, or a
secondary school diploma or its
recognized equivalent, during
participation in or within 1 year after
exit from the program;
``(VII) the percentage of program
participants who, during a program
year, are in an education or training
program that leads to a recognized
postsecondary credential or employment
and who are achieving measurable skill
gains toward such a credential or
employment; and
``(VIII) the percentage of program
participants receiving support
services, disaggregated by type of
service.
``(B) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall
submit a report to Congress, on a biennial basis, on
the information submitted to the Secretary under
subparagraph (A).
``(f) Duration of Awards.--Each grant and subgrant awarded under
this section shall be for a period of not more than 4 years. A career
pathway partnership applicant may apply for subsequent subgrants after
the completion of a subgrant period.
``(g) Evaluation and Administration.--The Secretary shall reserve--
``(1) not less than 1 percent and not more than 3 percent
of the funds made available under subsection (h) for each
fiscal year to--
``(A) conduct a rigorous, independent evaluation of
the activities funded under this section; and
``(B) disseminate and promote the utilization of
evidence-based practices related to career pathway
programs for postsecondary students; and
``(2) not more than 3 percent of the funds made available
under subsection (h) for each fiscal year for administrative
costs associated in carrying out this section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the activities described in this section,
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2027 and for each
subsequent fiscal year thereafter.''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 172, the following:
``Sec. 173. Career pathways grant program.''.
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