Summary#
This bill reauthorizes and updates the YouthBuild program. It sets annual funding amounts for fiscal years 2027–2032, creates a new YouthBuild employer partnership grant program, and adds allowable services and administrative changes for YouthBuild grants.
Key changes in the bill include:
- A requirement that when total YouthBuild funding in a year is greater than $125,000,000, the Secretary must reserve 20% of the amount above $125,000,000 for grants to programs in rural areas and for programs serving Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
- New allowable activities for YouthBuild programs such as provision of meals, help applying for Federal and State means-tested benefit programs (for example SNAP and child care assistance), and supportive services for participants with disabilities.
- Permission for YouthBuild grantees to use grant funds to meet certain matching requirements under the National and Community Service Act when used consistently with program rules.
- Terminology updates (for example, replacing "youth offender" with "youth justice-involved individual" and "basic skills deficient" with "have foundational skill needs").
- A requirement that the Secretary consult annually with YouthBuild program operators when setting expected performance levels.
- A requirement for the Secretary to try to announce new YouthBuild funding opportunities around the same time each year, and for States receiving grants to help YouthBuild programs access participant wage data while maintaining privacy protections.
- Creation of a new Section 171A, "YouthBuild Employer Partnerships," authorizing grants to consortia that pair a YouthBuild program with public or private employers to develop or expand employment and training opportunities. Priority is given to proposals that partner with joint labor-management apprenticeship programs.
What it means for you#
If you are a YouthBuild program participant or operator, the bill keeps the program funded and lets programs offer more supports like meals, help applying for nutrition or child care benefits, and extra help for participants with disabilities. Programs in rural areas and programs serving Native communities would be more likely to get part of any funding increases. Employers can form partnerships with YouthBuild programs to create job and training pathways, and programs can access state wage data to track outcomes (with privacy protections).
If you are an employer, the bill creates a way to apply for grants with local YouthBuild programs to develop jobs and training aligned with local labor market needs.
Expenses#
The bill authorizes these appropriations for carrying out the YouthBuild section:
- $159,500,000 for fiscal year 2027
- $167,500,000 for fiscal year 2028
- $175,900,000 for fiscal year 2029
- $184,700,000 for fiscal year 2030
- $193,000,000 for fiscal year 2031
- $203,600,000 for fiscal year 2032
In addition, it authorizes $20,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to carry out the new YouthBuild Employer Partnership grants. The bill also requires reserving 20% of any amount above $125,000,000 in a given fiscal year for rural and Native-serving YouthBuild grants.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.