[Congressional Bills 105th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 17 Introduced in Senate (IS)] 105th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 17 To consolidate certain Federal job training programs by developing a system of vouchers to provide to dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults the opportunity to choose the type of job training that most closely meets the needs of such workers and adults, by establishing a one-stop career center system to provide high quality job training and employment-related services, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 21, 1997 Mr. Daschle (for himself, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Dodd, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Moseley-Braun, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Lautenberg) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To consolidate certain Federal job training programs by developing a system of vouchers to provide to dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults the opportunity to choose the type of job training that most closely meets the needs of such workers and adults, by establishing a one-stop career center system to provide high quality job training and employment-related services, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Working Americans Opportunity Act''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings and purposes. Sec. 3. Definitions. TITLE I--JOB TRAINING VOUCHERS Sec. 101. Establishment. Sec. 102. Individual choice. Sec. 103. Eligibility. Sec. 104. Obtaining a voucher. Sec. 105. Oversight and accountability. Sec. 106. Eligibility requirements for job training providers. Sec. 107. Evaluation of voucher system. Sec. 108. Apportionment of funds. TITLE II--CONSOLIDATION OF FEDERAL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS Sec. 201. Consolidation of programs. TITLE III--EMPLOYMENT-RELATED INFORMATION AND SERVICES THROUGH ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS Sec. 301. One-stop career centers. Sec. 302. Access to information. Sec. 303. Direct loans to United States workers. TITLE IV--REPORTS AND PLANS Sec. 401. Consolidation and streamlining. Sec. 402. Report relating to income support. TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 502. Effective date. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) increasing international competition, technological advances, and structural changes in the economy of the United States present new challenges to private firms and public policymakers in creating a skilled workforce with the ability to adapt to change and progress; (2) a substantial number of workers in the United States lose jobs due to the constantly changing world and national economies rather than cyclical downturns, with more than 2,000,000 full-time workers permanently displaced annually due to plant closures, production cutbacks, and layoffs; (3) the current response of the Federal Government to dislocation and structural employment is a patchwork of categorical programs, with varying eligibility requirements and different sets of services and benefits; (4) the lack of coherence among existing Federal job training programs creates administrative and regulatory obstacles that hamper the efforts of individuals who are seeking new jobs or reemployment; (5) enacted in 1944, the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the ``G.I. Bill of Rights''), helped millions of World War II veterans and, later, Korean and Vietnam War veterans, finance college educations and assisted in building the middle class of the United States; (6) restructuring the current job training system, with respect to dislocated and disadvantaged workers, in a manner that is conceptually similar to the G.I. Bill of Rights will help millions of workers in the United States to become more competitive in today's dynamic world economy, in which most of the workers-- (A) can expect to move to new jobs a number of times, voluntarily or by layoff; and (B) must upgrade their skills continuously; (7) success in this ever-changing environment depends, in part, on an individual's effective management of the individual's career based on personal choice and reliable information; (8) there is insufficient job market information and assistance regarding access to job training opportunities that lead to good employment opportunities; (9) only a small fraction of individuals eligible for current Federal job training are now served, and by removing obstacles and layers of administrative costs, more funds will be made available to individuals to enable such individuals to receive the job training of their choice; and (10) while the Federal Government proceeds to create a new marketplace for job training, the Federal Government must also maintain a commitment to providing intensive services to assist individuals who are economically disadvantaged adults. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to-- (1) enhance the choices available to dislocated workers, and economically disadvantaged adults, who want to upgrade their work skills and learn new skills to compete in a changing economy; (2) enable individuals to make choices that are best for the careers of such individuals; (3) consolidate job training programs and provide a simple voucher system that relies on individual choice and provides high quality job market information; (4) allow an individual to tailor job training and education to the personal needs of such individual so that such individual may remain in long-term employment yet have the means to be flexible when necessary; and (5) create a system that provides timely and reliable information to individuals to use to assist such individuals in making the best choices with respect to the use of vouchers for job training. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Act: (1) Community-based organization.--The term ``community- based organization'' means a private nonprofit organization that-- (A) is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community; and (B) provides job training and employment-related services. (2) Dislocated worker.-- (A) In general.--The term ``dislocated worker'' means an individual who-- (i) has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment, is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation, and is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation; (ii) has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at, a plant, facility, or enterprise; (iii) has been unemployed long-term and has limited opportunities for employment or reemployment in the same or a similar occupation in the area in which such individual resides, including an older individual who may have substantial barriers to employment by reason of age; (iv) was self-employed (including a farmer, a rancher, and a fisher) and is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which such individual resides or because of a natural disaster, subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary; or (v) is an employee of the Department of Defense or of a private defense contractor who has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of the closure or realignment of a military installation, or a reduction in defense spending as determined by the Secretary of Defense. (B) Special rule for self-employed individuals.-- The Secretary of Labor shall establish categories of self-employed individuals and of economic conditions and natural disasters to which subparagraph (A)(iv) applies. (C) Special rule for displaced homemakers.--The term ``dislocated worker'' shall, for the purpose of applying provisions related to job training and employment-related services under titles I and III within a State, include a displaced homemaker (as defined by the Secretary of Labor in regulation), if the State determines that such definition of the term is appropriate and will not adversely affect the delivery of services to other dislocated workers in the State. (3) Economically disadvantaged adult.--The term ``economically disadvantaged adult'' means an individual who is age 18 or older and who had received an income, or is a member of a family that had received a total family income, for the 6- month period prior to application for the activity involved (exclusive of unemployment compensation, child support payments, and welfare payments) that, in relation to family size, does not exceed the higher of-- (A) the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), for an equivalent period; or (B) 70 percent of the lower living standard income level, for an equivalent period. (4) Job training provider.--The term ``job training provider'' means a public agency, private nonprofit organization, or private for-profit entity that delivers job training. (5) Service delivery area.--The term ``service delivery area'' means an area established under section 101 of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1511). (6) State.--The term ``State'', used to refer to a jurisdiction, means any of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. (7) Workforce development entity.--The term ``workforce development entity'' means a private industry council as described in section 102 of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1512), or such successor entity as may be established by Federal statutory law specifically to serve as such entity. TITLE I--JOB TRAINING VOUCHERS SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT. The Secretary of Labor shall, pursuant to the requirements of this title, establish a job training system that provides vouchers to individuals for the purpose of enabling the individuals to obtain job training. SEC. 102. INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. (a) In General.--Upon notification of approval of an application submitted under section 104, an individual may receive a voucher for a 2-year period, beginning on the date on which the application is approved. (b) Use of Vouchers for Job Training.-- (1) In general.--An individual who is a recipient of a voucher under subsection (a) may use such voucher to pay for job training obtained from a job training provider that meets the requirements of section 106. (2) Authorized job training.--The job training described in paragraph (1) may include training through-- (A) associate degree and nondegree programs at-- (i) two- and four-year colleges; (ii) vocational and technical education schools; (iii) private for-profit and not-for-profit training organizations; (iv) public agencies and schools; and (v) community-based organizations; (B) employer work-based training programs; and (C) in the case of individuals who are economically disadvantaged adults, preemployment training programs. SEC. 103. ELIGIBILITY. An individual shall be eligible to receive a voucher under this title if such individual is-- (1) a dislocated worker; or (2) an economically disadvantaged adult. SEC. 104. OBTAINING A VOUCHER. (a) Application.--An individual who desires to receive a voucher under this title shall submit an application to the State at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the State may reasonably require. (b) Assistance to Applicants.-- (1) One-stop career centers.--Each one-stop career center established under section 301 shall-- (A) provide applications for vouchers under this title to interested individuals, assist such individuals in completing such applications, and collect completed applications for determination of eligibility; (B) provide performance-based information to the applicants relating to job training providers eligible to receive payment by vouchers in accordance with section 106; (C) provide information to the applicants on-- (i) the local economy and availability of employment; (ii) profiles of local industries; and (iii) details of local labor market demand; and (D) carry out such other duties relating to the voucher system as may be specified in regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor. (2) Conflict of interest standards.--The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations establishing procedures to ensure that a one-stop career center that is operated by an entity that is concurrently an eligible job training provider under the voucher system provides information to the applicants relating to the other eligible job training providers in the service delivery area in an objective and equitable manner. SEC. 105. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY. (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations that-- (1) specify the-- (A) voucher application requirements; (B) form of the vouchers; (C) use of the vouchers; (D) method of redemption of the vouchers; (E) most expeditious and effective process of distribution (consistent with the findings and purposes of this Act) of the vouchers to eligible individuals; and (F) the arrangements necessary to phase in the voucher system in each State in a timely manner; (2) specify the duties and responsibilities of job training providers under a voucher system under this title; (3) specify the Federal and State responsibilities in oversight of job training providers, including the enforcement responsibilities and the determination of administrative costs with respect to the voucher system under this title; and (4) specify the manner in which economically disadvantaged adults will receive adequate counseling and support services necessary to take full advantage of voucher assistance under this title. (b) Public Comment.--In issuing regulations under subsection (a), the Secretary of Labor shall provide an opportunity for comment from the public, including the business community, labor organizations, and community-based organizations. SEC. 106. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR JOB TRAINING PROVIDERS. (a) Eligibility Requirements.--A job training provider shall be eligible to receive payment by vouchers under this title if such provider-- (1) is-- (A) eligible to participate in programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.); or (B) determined to be eligible under the procedure described in subsection (b); and (2) provides the performance-based information required pursuant to subsection (c). (b) Alternative Eligibility Procedure.-- (1) In general.--The State shall establish an alternative eligibility procedure for job training providers desiring to receive payment by vouchers under this title, but that are not eligible to participate in programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. (2) Procedure requirements.--In establishing the procedure described in paragraph (1), the State shall establish minimum acceptable levels of performance for job training providers based on factors and guidelines developed by the Secretary of Labor in consultation with the Secretary of Education. Such factors shall be comparable in rigor and scope to the provisions of part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099a et seq.) that are used to determine the eligibility of an institution of higher education to participate in programs under such title and are appropriate to the type of job training provider seeking eligibility under this subsection and the nature of the job training to be provided. (3) Limitation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the participation of an institution of higher education in any of the programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is terminated, such institution shall not be eligible to receive funds under this title for a period of 2 years beginning on the date of such termination. (c) Performance-Based Information.-- (1) Contents.--The Secretary of Labor shall identify performance-based information that is to be submitted by job training providers desiring to receive payment by vouchers under this title. Such information may include information relating to-- (A) the percentage of students completing the programs conducted by a job training provider; (B) the rates of licensure of graduates of the programs conducted by such job training provider; (C) the percentage of graduates of the programs conducted by such job training provider that meet industry-specific skill standards; (D) the rates of placement and retention in employment, and earnings of, the graduates of the programs conducted by such job training provider; (E) the percentage of graduates of the programs conducted by such job training provider who obtained employment in an occupation related to such programs conducted by such provider; and (F) the warranties or guarantees provided by such job training provider relating to the skill levels or employment to be attained by graduates of the programs conducted by such provider. (2) Additions.--The State may, pursuant to the approval of the Secretary of Labor, prescribe additional performance-based information that shall be submitted by job training providers pursuant to this subsection. (d) Administration.-- (1) State agency.--The Governor shall designate a State agency to collect, verify, and disseminate the performance- based information submitted pursuant to subsection (c). (2) Application.--A job training provider desiring to be eligible to receive funds under this title shall submit the information required under subsection (c) to the State agency designated under paragraph (1) at such time and in such form as such State agency may require. (3) List of eligible providers.--The State agency designated under paragraph (1) shall compile a list of eligible job training providers, accompanied by the performance-based information submitted, and disseminate such list and information to the one-stop career centers established under section 301, and other appropriate entities within the State. (4) Accuracy of information.-- (A) In general.--If the State agency determines that a job training provider submitted inaccurate performance-based information under this subsection, such provider shall be disqualified from receiving funds under this title for a period of 2 years beginning on the date of such determination, unless such provider can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the State agency designated pursuant to paragraph (1), that the information was provided in good faith. (B) Appeal.--The State shall establish a procedure for a job training provider to appeal a determination by a State agency that results in a disqualification under subparagraph (A). Such procedure shall provide an opportunity for a hearing and include appropriate time limits to ensure prompt resolution of the appeal. (5) Assistance in developing information.--The State agency designated under paragraph (1) may provide technical assistance to a job training provider in developing the performance-based information required under subsection (c). Such assistance may include facilitating the utilization of State administrative records, such as unemployment compensation wage records, and conducting other appropriate coordination activities. (6) Consultation.--The Secretary of Labor shall consult with the Secretary of Education regarding the eligibility of institutions of higher education to participate in programs under this title. SEC. 107. EVALUATION OF VOUCHER SYSTEM. The Secretary of Labor shall annually-- (1) monitor the effectiveness of the voucher system; (2) evaluate the benefit of such system to voucher recipients under this title and the taxpayer; and (3) submit information obtained from such evaluation to the appropriate committees of Congress. SEC. 108. APPORTIONMENT OF FUNDS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor shall, without in any way reducing the commitment of, or the level of effort by, the Federal Government to improve the job training, employment, and earnings of all workers and jobseekers (particularly in hard-to-serve communities), apportion sums appropriated under section 501 to each State for each fiscal year in accordance with subsections (b) and (c), to enable States and service delivery areas in the States to carry out this title and title III. (b) Allocation by Category.-- (1) Funding for dislocated workers.--From the sums appropriated pursuant to section 501 for each fiscal year, the Secretary of Labor shall determine the portion of the sums to be made available for providing job training and employment- related services for dislocated workers under this title and title III, which shall be not less than the total amount made available to the States for such purpose for fiscal year 1997. The Secretary shall apportion such portion among the States, based on consideration of factors described in subsection (c), as appropriate. (2) Funding for economically disadvantaged adults.--From the sums appropriated pursuant to section 501 for each fiscal year, the Secretary of Labor shall determine the portion of the sums to be made available for providing job training and employment-related services for economically disadvantaged adults under this title and title III. The Secretary shall apportion such total amount among the States, based on consideration of factors described in subsection (c), as appropriate. (c) Consideration of Factors for Apportionment to States.--The apportionment of the portions described in subsection (b) by the Secretary to each State shall be based on the following factors: (1) The relative number of unemployed individuals who reside in each State as compared to the total number of unemployed individuals in all the States. (2) The relative excess number of unemployed individuals who reside in each State as compared to the total excess number of unemployed individuals in all the States. (3) The relative number of individuals who have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more and who reside in each State as compared to the total number of such individuals in all the States. (4) The relative number of economically disadvantaged adults who reside in each State as compared to the total number of such adults in all the States. (d) State Reserve.-- (1) Dislocated worker funds.--From the amount apportioned to each State from the portion described in subsection (b)(1), the State may reserve to carry out State activities, including rapid response assistance (as described in section 314(b) of the Job Training Partnership Act, as in existence on the date of enactment of this Act (29 U.S.C. 1661c(b))) and State administration, an amount that is not greater than the proportion of funds reserved for State activities under title III of the Job Training Partnership Act, as in existence on such date (29 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.) for fiscal year 1997. (2) Economically disadvantaged adults.--From the amount apportioned to each State from the portion described in subsection (b)(2), the State may reserve to carry out State activities, including State administration, an amount that is not greater than the proportion of funds reserved for State activities under part A of title II of the Job Training Partnership Act, as in existence on the date of enactment of this Act (29 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) for fiscal year 1997. (e) Consideration of Factors for Apportionment to Service Delivery Areas.--The apportionment of amounts received by each State under subsection (c), and not reserved under subsection (d), to service delivery areas within such State shall be based on the following factors: (1) The relative number of unemployed individuals who reside in each service delivery area within the State as compared to the total number of unemployed individuals in all such service delivery areas. (2) The relative excess number of unemployed individuals who reside in each service delivery area within the State as compared to the total excess number of unemployed individuals in all such service delivery areas. (3) The relative number of individuals who have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more and who reside in each service delivery area within the State as compared to the total number of such individuals in all such service delivery areas. (4) The relative number of economically disadvantaged adults who reside in each service delivery area within the State as compared to the total number of such adults in all such service delivery areas. (f) Funds for Vouchers.--Not less than 75 percent of funds apportioned to a service delivery area under subsection (e) and used for job training under this Act by the service delivery area shall be made available in the form of vouchers to individuals in such area who are eligible under section 103. (g) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``excess number of unemployed individuals'' means the number that represents unemployed individuals in excess of 4.5 percent of the civilian labor force in a State or service delivery area, as appropriate. TITLE II--CONSOLIDATION OF FEDERAL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS SEC. 201. CONSOLIDATION OF PROGRAMS. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the consolidation and streamlining of Federal job training programs should be accomplished without in any way reducing the commitment of, or the level of effort provided by, the Federal Government to improve the job training, employment, and earnings of all workers and jobseekers (particularly in hard-to-serve communities). (b) Repeals of Federal Job Training Programs.--The following provisions are repealed: (1) Section 6(d)(4) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)). (2) Section 106(b)(7) of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1516(b)(7)). (3) Section 123 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1533). (4) Section 204(d) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1604(d)). (5) Part A of title II of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). (6) Section 302(c) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1652(c)). (7) Part A of title III of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1661 et seq.). (8) Section 325 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1662d). (9) Section 325A of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1662d-1). (10) Section 326 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1662e). (11) Sections 301 through 303 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.). (12) The Displaced Homemakers Self-Sufficiency Assistance Act (29 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.). (13) Subtitle C of title VII of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11441 et seq.). (14) Subchapter I of chapter 421 of title 49, United States Code. (15) Title II of Public Law 95-250 (92 Stat. 172). TITLE III--EMPLOYMENT-RELATED INFORMATION AND SERVICES THROUGH ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS SEC. 301. ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS. (a) Establishment.--Each service delivery area receiving funds under this Act shall develop and implement a network of one-stop career centers for the area to provide access for jobseekers, workers, and businesses to a comprehensive array of high quality job training described in section 102(b)(2) and employment-related services (including provision of information) described in subsections (f) and (g). (b) Procedures.--Each workforce development entity for a service delivery area, in conjunction with the appropriate local chief elected official for the area, shall negotiate with the State a method for establishing one-stop career centers (including designating one-stop career center operators) for the area, consistent with criteria established by the Secretary of Labor. (c) Eligible Entities.--Each entity within the service delivery area that provides the services specified in subsection (f) or (g) shall be eligible to be designated as a one-stop career center operator. (d) Performance Standards.--The Secretary of Labor shall establish a performance standard system for assessing the performance of each one-stop career center operator. (e) Period of Selection.--Each one-stop career center operator shall be designated for 2-year period. Every 2 years, the workforce development entity for a service delivery area shall reevaluate the designation of one-stop career center operators for the area, based on performance under the standards established under subsection (d). (f) Employment-Related Services to Individuals.--Each one-stop career center for a service delivery area may make available-- (1) outreach to make individuals aware of, and encourage the use of, services available from workforce development programs operating in the service delivery area; (2) intake and orientation to the information and services available through the one-stop career center; (3) assistance in filing initial claims for unemployment compensation; (4) initial assessments (including appropriate testing) of the skill levels and service needs of individuals, including basic skills, occupational skills, work experience, employability, interest, aptitude, and supportive service needs; (5) job search assistance, including resume and interview preparation and workshops; (6) information relating to the supply, demand, price, and quality of job training available in each service delivery area in the State involved, including performance-based information provided pursuant to section 106(c); (7) job market information, including-- (A) data on the local economy and availability of employment; (B) profiles of local industries; (C) details of local labor market demand; and (D) local demographic and socioeconomic characteristics; (8) referral to appropriate job training and employment services, and to other services described in this subsection, in the service delivery area; (9) supportive services, including child care; (10) job development; and (11) counseling. (g) Employment-Related Services to Employers.--Each one-stop career center for a service delivery area may provide to employers, at the request of the employers-- (1) information relating to supply, demand, price, and quality of job training available in each service delivery area in the State; (2) customized screening and referral of individuals for employment; (3) customized assessment of skills of the workers of the employer; (4) an analysis of the skill needs of the employer; and (5) other specialized employment and training services. SEC. 302. ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that accurate, timely, and relevant data regarding employment, job training, job skills, and job training opportunities are useful for individuals making choices about the careers of such individuals. (b) Authority.--The Secretary of Labor is authorized to make arrangements to develop and provide through one-stop career centers and other appropriate mechanisms relevant job market information to interested individuals, including voucher recipients under title I, jobseekers, employers, and workers. SEC. 303. DIRECT LOANS TO UNITED STATES WORKERS. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program authorized by part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), is a valuable financing tool for United States workers who desire to take advantage of training and education programs, consistent with the goals of such workers, to learn new skills for careers that may bring higher salaries and improved quality of life. (b) Awareness.--The Department of Education shall endeavor to make known the value and availability of direct loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program authorized by part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 through cooperative arrangements with one-stop career centers, training and educational training programs, State agencies, and other Federal agencies. TITLE IV--REPORTS AND PLANS SEC. 401. CONSOLIDATION AND STREAMLINING. (a) Report on Consolidating Noncovered Federal Job Training Programs.--Not later than January 1, 1998, and each year thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that describes how additional Federal job training programs not covered by this Act can be consolidated into a more integrated and accountable workforce development system that better meets the needs of jobseekers, workers, and business. (b) Plan on Use of Common Definitions, Measures, Standards, and Cycles.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall develop a plan that, wherever practicable, requires the Federal job training programs to use common definitions, common outcome measures, common eligibility standards, and common funding cycles in order to make such training programs more accessible. SEC. 402. REPORT RELATING TO INCOME SUPPORT. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) many dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults are unable to enroll in long-term job training because such workers and adults lack income support after unemployment compensation is exhausted; (2) evidence suggests that long-term job training is among the most effective adjustment service in assisting dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults to obtain employment and enhance wages; and (3) there is a need to identify options relating to how income support may be provided to enable dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults to participate in long-term job training. (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that-- (1) examines the need for income support to enable dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults to participate in long-term job training; (2) identifies options relating to how such income support may be provided to such workers and adults; and (3) contains such recommendations as the Secretary of Labor determines are appropriate. TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS SEC. 501. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out titles I and III such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002. (b) Program Year.--Appropriations for any fiscal year for activities carried out under this Act shall be available for obligation only on the basis of a program year. The program year shall begin on July 1 in the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made. SEC. 502. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 1998. <all>