Connecting Youth to Jobs Act

offer employment to all young people who seek it, especially those who have been historically disadvantaged;

create subsidized employment opportunities for young people to address National, State, and local priorities, such as infrastructure enhancement, manufacturing, public works, community development, and the arts; and

support young people with services, including housing, healthcare, transportation, child care, and access to technology.

Qualifying emergency— The term qualifying emergency means—

Eligible youth— The term eligible youth means an individual who is not younger than age 14 and not older than age 24, without regard to immigration status or past or current involvement with the juvenile or criminal justice system.

ESEA terms— The terms local educational agency and State educational agency have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

High-poverty area— The term high-poverty area means a census tract with a youth poverty rate of at least 20 percent during the most recent 5 consecutive years.

Historically high youth unemployment levels— The term historically high youth unemployment levels means any local area with a youth unemployment rate of at least 10 percent, as measured over the most recent decennial censuses, or by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the most recent 5-year period for which data are available.

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).

Public education entity— The term public education entities includes—

Registered apprenticeship program— The term registered apprenticeship programs 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.), including any requirement, standard, or rule promulgated under such Act, as such requirement, standard, or rule was in effect on December 30, 2019 (or successor requirements, standards or rule).

Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor.

Supportive services— The term supportive services means services such as transportation, child care, dependent care, housing, and needs-related payments, that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in activities authorized under this Act.

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), except that such term includes work-based learning in virtual settings.

WIOA terms— The terms in-demand industry sector or occupation, individual with a disability, in-school youth , local area, local board, out-of-school youth, outlying area, poverty line, recognized postsecondary credential, State, State board, and unit of general local government have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

Youth with a barrier to employment— The term youth with a barrier to employment means an eligible youth who—