APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021

1 DIVISION H-DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021 The explanatory statement accompanying this division is approved and indicates Congressional intent. Unless otherwise noted, the language set forth in House Report 116-450 carries the same weight as language included in this explanatory statement and should be complied with unless specifically addressed to the contrary in this explanatory statement. While some language is repeated for emphasis, it is not intended to negate the language referred to above unless expressly provided herein.

2 In providing the operating plan required by section 516 of this Act, the departments and agencies funded in this Act are directed to include all programs, projects, and activities, including those in House Report 116-450 and this explanatory statement accompanying this Act. All such programs, projects, and activities are subject to the provisions of this Act. In cases where House Report 116-450 or this explanatory statement directs the submission of a report, that report is to be submitted to the Committees on APPROPRIATIONS of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Where this explanatory statement refers to the Committees or the Committees on APPROPRIATIONS , unless otherwise noted, this reference is to the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies and the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

3 1 Each department and agency funded in this Act shall follow the directions set forth in this Act and the accompanying explanatory statement and shall not reallocate resources or reorganize activities except as provided herein. Funds for individual programs and activities are displayed in the detailed table at the end of the explanatory statement accompanying this Act. Funding levels that are not displayed in the detailed table are identified within this explanatory statement. Any action to eliminate or consolidate programs, projects, and activities should be pursued through a proposal in the President's Budget so it can be considered by the Committees on APPROPRIATIONS .

4 Congressional department and agency is directed to provide the Committees on APPROPRIATIONS , within 3 0 days from the date of enactment of this Act and quarterly thereafter, a summary describing each requested report to the Committees on APPROPRIATIONS along with its status. 2 TITLE I DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION (ET A) TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Dislocated Worker National Reserve Career Pathways for Youth agreement continues to provide $10,000,000 for this activity as described under this heading in House Report 116-450. Strengthening Community College Training Grants (SCCTG).

5 -The agreement provides $45,000,000 for the SCCTG program and directs the Department to follow all requirements for the program as described under this heading in the explanatory statement accompanying the Further Consolidated APPROPRIATIONS Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94) and House Report 116-450, except that the 120 day requirement for the solicitation shall not apply. Worlforce Opportunity for Rural agreement provides $35,000,000 to continue this program in the Appalachian and Delta regions. The Department is strongly encouraged to develop the funding opportunity announcement and make grant awards in concordance with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority.

6 The Department is directed to ensure equal allocation of funds to the Appalachian and Delta regions and broad geographic distribution of funds within these regions, and awards should not exceed $1,500,000 per award. 3 Apprenticeship Grant Program The agreement provides $185,000,000 to support registered apprenticeships and includes new bill language ensuring that equity intermediaries and business and labor industry intermediaries continue to remain eligible for funding under the program. The agreement notes that funding under this program should be prioritized to support State, regional, and local apprenticeship efforts, as well as efforts by intermediaries, to expand registered apprenticeships into new industries and for underserved or underrepresented populations.

7 The agreement directs the Department to provide quarterly briefings on all spending activities under this program to the Committees, and to comply with reporting directives in House Report 116-450, including a detailed spend plan within 90 days of enactment of this Act. JOB CORPS Job Corps .-In addition to the directives included in House Report 116-450, the agreement encourages the Department to ensure sufficient training opportunities and slots are available in regions where a Job Corps Center has closed or remained inactive due to damage caused by a natural disaster. The Department is expected to continue to comply with the directives under the heading "Job Corps" in Senate Report 115-289.

8 4 STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS Unemployment Insurance Compensation National agreement provides an increase of $6,000,000 to help modernize the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Interstate Connection Network hub and support States in administering the UI program. UI Integrity Center of Excellence (UIICE).-The agreement provides $9,000,000 for the continued support of UIICE, including $6,000,000 for the benefit of States to the entity operating the UIICE. Employment Service National agreement provides $2,500,000 and new bill language to reduce the processing backlog for the work opportunity tax credit program and for assisting States in adopting or modernizing information technology for processing of certification requests, which may include training and technical assistance to States.

9 Foreign Labor Certification The agreement urges the Department to provide careful oversight and transparency related to the timely processing of visa applications for temporary employment certifications. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION Open Data Department is encouraged to require any information publicly disclosed related to occupational and professional licenses and certifications, as well as credentials and competencies earned through apprenticeships, whether directly or through contracts, be published using an open source description language that is designed to allow for public search and comparison of such data, including any such data on credentials and competencies.

10 5 Such information may be published through open data formats such as the credential transparency description language specifications or a substantially similar approach. The Department is further encouraged to submit a report to the Committees within 120 days of enactment of this Act, outlining a plan for providing such data, including any challenges, barriers to implementation, as well as anticipated costs. Outlying Areas .-The agreement notes the unique challenges associated with administering Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants for outlying areas. The agreement encourages the Department to provide technical assistance to the outlying areas to address these challenges, and the agreement directs the Department to provide a briefing to the Committees, within 120 days of enactment of this Act, on how the Department intends to provide greater assistance to the outlying areas in administering WIOA grants.