HR 8039

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 24, 2026

Mrs. Bice (for herself and Ms. Jacobs) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to address workforce gaps, 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 “Workforce and Education Partnership Act of 2026”.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

(a) Youth Workforce Development Programs for High-Demand Occupations.—Section 129(b)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(b)(2)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (D)(v), by striking “and” at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by inserting at the end the following:

“(F) developing partnerships between educational institutions (including area career and technical education schools and institutions of higher education) and employers to create or improve workforce development programs to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the regions of the State, as determined based on the most recent analysis conducted under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 102(b)(1).”.

(b) Statewide Adult Workforce Development Programs for High-Demand Occupations.—Section 134(a)(3)(A) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(3)(A)) is amended—

(1) in clause (xiii), by striking “and” at the end;

(2) in clause (xiv), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by inserting at the end the following:

“(xv) developing partnerships between educational institutions (including area career and technical education schools and institutions of higher education) and employers to create or improve workforce development programs to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the regions of the State, as determined based on the most recent analysis conducted under subparagraphs

(B) and (C) of section 102(b)(1).”.

(c) Local Adult Workforce Development Programs for High-Demand Occupations.—Section 134(d)(1)(A) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(1)(A)) is amended—

(1) in clause (xi), by striking “and” at the end;

(2) in clause (xii), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by inserting at the end the following:

“(xiii) the development of partnerships between educational institutions (including area career and technical education schools and institutions of higher education) and employers to create or improve workforce development programs to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the region, as determined based on the most recent analysis conducted by the local board under section 107(d)(2).”. <all>