Sponsors (23)
The bill increases and targets YouthBuild funding and services to improve access, supports, and employer-aligned job pathways for disadvantaged young people — at the cost of higher federal spending, earmarked allocations that reduce allocation flexibility, and greater administrative burdens for providers and state agencies.
Young adults, low-income individuals, and nonprofit YouthBuild providers gain more predictable and larger federal funding through FY2032, enabling program expansion and more stable services.
YouthBuild participants (especially low-income young people and parents) receive meals, help applying for SNAP and child-care assistance, and required supportive services for participants with disabilities, reducing food insecurity and barriers to participation.
Young adults and students in YouthBuild get employer-aligned training, stronger apprenticeship pathways, and funded employer partnerships that improve job opportunities and local workforce pipelines.
Taxpayers and the federal budget shoulder higher costs: the bill authorizes increased funding and explicitly adds about $20 million annually from FY2027–2032 to fund the program.
Expanding allowable services (meals, benefits assistance, supportive services) and new program requirements will increase administrative workload and program costs for grantees and state agencies, potentially straining small providers.
Reserving 20% of any funding increase above $125 million for rural and tribal YouthBuild limits the Secretary's flexibility to reallocate funds to other pressing needs or high‑priority areas.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Expands YouthBuild allowable services, creates $20M/year employer‑partnership grants, reserves 20% of excess funds for rural/tribal programs, and sets FY2027–FY2032 funding authorizations.
Official title: To reauthorize the YouthBuild program, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 16, 2026 by Jahana Hayes · Last progress April 16, 2026
Amends the YouthBuild program to expand eligible services, create a dedicated employer-partnership grant program, and set funding levels for FY2027–FY2032. It requires a 20% reservation of amounts above $125 million for rural areas and tribal/Indian-serving entities, allows YouthBuild funds to cover meals, benefit-application assistance, and disability supportive services, updates language for participants, and establishes an annual $20 million employer-partnership grant authorization.