[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5806 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5806
To direct the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible applicants
to provide stipends to individuals enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship
program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 21, 2025
Mr. Smith of Washington introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible applicants
to provide stipends to individuals enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship
program, and for other purposes.
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 ``Pre-Apprenticeship Wrap-around
Support Services Fund Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. GRANTS TO PROVIDE STIPENDS TO INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN A PRE-
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor may make grants to eligible
applicants to provide stipends to individuals enrolled in a pre-
apprenticeship program in accordance with the requirements under this
Act.
(b) Pre-Apprenticeship Program Defined.--For purposes of this Act,
the term ``pre-apprenticeship program'' means a program, initiative, or
set of strategies that--
(1) is designed to prepare individuals to enroll in a
registered apprenticeship program, including preparing
individuals with the skills and competencies necessary to
succeed in such program;
(2) is carried out by an eligible applicant that has
entered into a formal agreement with one or more sponsors of a
registered apprenticeship program; and
(3) includes--
(A) theoretical education (including the use of
curricula); and
(B) training (including hands-on training)--
(i) aligned with industry standards of a
registered apprenticeship program; and
(ii) that does not displace an employee
where such training takes place.
(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act,
an eligible applicant shall submit an application to the Secretary at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
(d) Grant Requirement.--Each grantee shall--
(1) establish primary indicators of performance with
respect to individuals enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship
program, which shall include--
(A) the percentage of such individuals who are
enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program within
12 months after completing a pre-apprenticeship
program;
(B) the percentage of such individuals who are
employed in the industry of the pre-apprenticeship
program in which such individual was enrolled within 12
months after completing the pre-apprenticeship program;
(C) the median earnings of such individuals who are
enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program within
12 months after completing a pre-apprenticeship
program; and
(D) the percentage of such individuals who obtain a
recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary
school diploma (or the recognized equivalent of such
diploma) while enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship or
within one year after completing a pre-apprenticeship
program; and
(2) on an annual basis, collect data with respect to--
(A) the primary indicators of performance under
paragraph (1);
(B) the number of stipends provided through grants
funds under this Act; and
(C) the amount of each such stipend.
(e) Additional Requirement.--Each grantee shall prioritize the
provision of stipends to individuals enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship
program who are also individuals with a barrier to employment.
(f) Use of Stipend.--Each grantee shall ensure that a stipend
awarded pursuant to this section is used only to reimburse for--
(1) necessary transportation costs with respect to a pre-
apprenticeship program, including vehicle mileage and public
transportation costs;
(2) lost hourly wages of an individual enrolled in a pre-
apprenticeship program, in the case that participation in such
program causes a reduction of hours at the place of employment
of such individual; and
(3) financial costs of an individual enrolled in a pre-
apprenticeship program with respect to obtaining industry-based
certifications during the period of enrollment in such program.
(g) Report.--
(1) Report to secretary.--Not later than 1 year after
receiving a grant under this Act, and annually thereafter, each
grantee shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes
the data collected pursuant to subsection (d)(2).
(2) Report to congressional committees.--Not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate a report on the progress and outcomes with respect to
each grant awarded under this Act.
(h) Additional Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Eligible applicant.--The term ``eligible applicant''
means an entity that currently operates or sponsors a pre-
apprenticeship program, including a joint labor-management
partnership, an industry partnership, a local educational
agency, a secondary school, an area career and technical
education school, a State board, a local board, or a community-
based organization.
(2) Grantee.--The term ``grantee'' means an eligible
applicant that receives a grant under this Act.
(3) Individual with a barrier to employment.--The term
``individual with a barrier to employment'' has the meaning
given the term under section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(4) Formal agreement.--The term ``formal agreement'' means
an agreement between an eligible applicant and one or more
sponsors of a registered apprenticeship program that includes
the following:
(A) Enables individuals who successfully complete a
pre-apprenticeship program--
(i) to enter into a registered
apprenticeship program (dependent on
availability and whether such individual meets
the qualifications of such program); and
(ii) to earn credit toward a registered
apprenticeship program.
(B) Provides for a sponsor to review and approve
the training referred to in subsection (b)(3), on an
annual basis.
(5) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given
the term under section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(6) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term
``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship
program that--
(A) is registered with the Department of Labor
pursuant to the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known
as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 29 U.S.C. 50 et
seq.), or is recognized by the Department of Labor as a
State apprenticeship agency; and
(B) complies with the requirements of subpart A of
part 29 and subpart A of part 30 of title 29, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
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