H.R. 2099

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 14, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Allen · Committee: Committee on Education and Workforce

Table of contents

• H.R. 2099
  • SEC. 1. State workforce development board
  • SEC. 2. Identification of eligible providers of training services
  • SEC. 3. Required local employment and training activities
  • SEC. 4. Evaluations and research

SEC. 1. State workforce development board

• Section 101(d)(3)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act () is amended— 29 U.S.C. 3111(d)(3)(D)
  • by striking and jobseekersand inserting jobseekers, and entrepreneurs; and
  • by inserting after .

SEC. 2. Identification of eligible providers of training services

• Section 122(a)(2)(C) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act () is amended by inserting after . 29 U.S.C. 3152(a)(2)(C)

SEC. 3. Required local employment and training activities

• Section 134(c)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act () is amended— 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)
  • in clause (iv)—
    • in subclause (I)—
      • (i) in item (aa), by striking and inserting a semicolon; and; and
      • (ii) by adding at the end the following:
        • provision of information on entrepreneurship, as appropriate; and
    • in subclause (II), by adding after the semicolon; and
      • referral to microenterprise services, as appropriate;
    • by adding at the end the following:
  • in clause (vi)—
    • in subclause (I), by inserting after ; and
    • in subclause (III), by inserting after ; and
  • in clause (xiii), by inserting after .

SEC. 4. Evaluations and research

• Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act () is amended— 29 U.S.C. 3224
  • in subsection (b)—
    • in paragraph (4)—
      • (i) by redesignating subparagraph (K) as subparagraph (L); and
      • (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following:
        • (K) Study on entrepreneurial skills development programs
          • The Secretary shall, through a grant or contract, conduct a three-year multistate study on entrepreneurial skills development programs, which shall include the following:
            • (i) A review of—
            • successful practices for developing entrepreneurial skills of individuals;
            • evidence-based and other best practices for mentoring potential entrepreneurs;
            • the qualifications needed for skills development providers to successfully develop the entrepreneurial skills of individuals;
            • strategies for engaging employers and other private sector partners;
            • such program outcomes that correlate with entrepreneurial success;
            • how such programs successfully measure the progress of participants in such programs;
            • the extent to which such programs lead to industry recognized credentials;
            • the impact, including the economic impact, of such programs on States and local communities;
            • the extent to which such programs affect business development and job creation in States and local communities;
            • how such programs identify potential program participants’ readiness for the program; and
            • the average earnings of participants who complete such a program three years after the date of completion of such program.
            • (ii) Recommendations for States and local communities to expand access to such programs.
    • in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting after ; and
  • in subsection (c), by striking the third sentence and inserting the following: .