Long-Term Unemployed Assistance Act

Summary

Long-Term Unemployed Assistance Act - Title I: General Purpose and Authority - Declares the purpose of this Act to be the provision of jobs for long-term unemployed individuals through payments for work performed and related costs associated with community improvement projects, State job programs, and repair and renovation of educational facilities. Authorizes appropriations for any fiscal year in amounts necessary to carry out this Act. Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act. Permits, with specified exceptions, title II and III funds to be used only to provide wages and employment benefits to eligible participants for work which the recipient certifies has been performed in one or more authorized activities. Requires recipients to ensure that jobs assisted under this Act be filled in entry level positions in each job category. Permits wage supplements from sources other than this Act, up to 20 percent of the maximum wage authorized under this Act. Limits wages in subsidized employment under this Act to 52 weeks for any individual participant. Permits up to 25 percent of funds provided to a title II or III recipient to be used for the cost of administration (including supervision) and the acquisition of supplies, tools, and equipment, but only for those costs unavailable from sources other than this Act. Requires recipients, to the extent feasible, to ensure that supplies, tools, equipment, or other materials purchased or procured have been manufactured, mined, or produced in the United States. Title II: Work for the Long-Term Unemployed - Part A: General Provisions - Makes individuals aged 16 or older eligible to participate in a program or activity under this title only if the appropriate State employment service agency certifies that such individual: (1) is unemployed; (2) has been unemployed for more than 26 weeks immediately preceding the date of such certification; and (3) has no other suitable work available. Requires that priority be given to those who have exhausted or are otherwise not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, particularly: (1) those who have been unemployed for the longest periods preceding selection; and (2) those residing in families in which no other member is employed on a full-time basis. Allows up to ten percent of eligible participants selected by a recipient for subsidized employment from funds under this Act to be individuals unemployed for less than 26 weeks, if the State employment service agency determines that such individuals: (1) have been employed only intermittently or temporarily, but have experienced substantial periods of unemployment prior to such 26 weeks; (2) are workers with skills necessary to fill nonmanagement positions on a particular project or activity; or (3) have recall rights under a formal agreement with the employer providing the subsidized job position. Provides for other means of certification of eligible participants for programs run by Native American eligible entities. Provides that 90 percent of title II funds shall be available for part B, community improvement jobs, and ten percent for part C, State job programs. Requires that funds for part B and C be used by recipients to provide employment to eligible participants projects meeting specified requirements. Provides that, for purpose of title II, "project" means a definable task or group of related tasks which: (1) will be carried out by a government department, public agency, private nonprofit organization, or private contractor; (2) will be completed within 12 months; (3) will result in a specific product or accomplishment; and (4) would not otherwise be conducted with existing funds. Requires recipients to give priority to projects on the basis of: (1) unemployment severity and duration within localities in its area, (2) degree to which projects will lead to expansion of unsubsidized private employment opportunities; and (3) level of need for activities and services to be provided. Provides to the extent feasible, coordination of employment opportunities established with title II funds with other specified Federal, State, and local activities. Permits title II funds to be used for costs associated with training and related support for a number of participants, if: (1) employers are committed to fill an equal number of unsubsidized jobs with participants who have successfully completed such training; (2) the recipient has an agreement with a qualified public or private nonprofit provider of such training services; and (3) cost of training and support do not exceed, on a weekly basis, the maximum wage payable with funds under this Act. Part B: Jobs in Community Improvement Projects - Requires that funds under this part be used by an eligible entity to carry out community improvement projects for employment of eligible participants. Requires that such projects be carried out so as to provide additional workers for any project or activity eligible for funds under: (1) the community development block grant program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; or (2) the revenue-sharing program. Makes eligible entitles under this part: (1) States; (2) local governments with populations of 50,000 or more; and (3) Native American Indian, Alaska Native, and Oklahoma Indian groups. Provides that States shall qualify as an eligible entity to serve any area of the State: (1) not under the jurisdiction of any other eligible entity; or (2) for which no eligible entity has filed a statement on the use of funds within ten days of allotment of funds. Provides that larger units of local government shall not qualify as the eligible entity to serve any smaller unit which is, or is part of, an eligible entity which has filed a statement on use of funds Sets forth provisions for allotment of part B funds. Directs the Secretary of Labor to reserve two percent of such funds for allotment among Native American eligible entities. Directs the Secretary to allot the remainder among eligible entitles on the basis of the relative numbers of residents of each eligible entity who are: (1) unemployed individuals; (2) unemployed individuals in excess of six and one-half percent of the civilian labor force residing in each eligible entity; and (3) unemployed individuals in excess of the national average rate of unemployment. Directs the Governor to make available at least 75 percent of the amount allotted to a State as an eligible entity to areas of excessive unemployment. Directs the Secretary to notify eligible entities of their preliminary allotments within 15 days after the enactment of an appropriation. Sets forth requirements for receipt of an allotment by an eligible entity. Requires eligible entities, within ten days of receipt of notice, to submit statements which: (1) designate a fiscal agent for receipt of payments; (2) agree to use funds in accordance with this Act; and (3) agree to provide quarterly reports on such use. Directs the Secretary, within ten days after the final day for submission of such statements, to make a final allotment. Sets forth requirements for payment of allotments by the Secretary. Part C: State Job Programs - Requires that specified amounts allotted to each State be used to provide employment for eligible participants in projects under this part through: (1) federally assisted activities administered by the State under the social services block grant program under title XX of the Social Security Act; (2) federally assisted activities administered by the State under the program of weatherization assistance for low-income persons under the Energy Conservation and Production Act; (3) State-supported programs and activities, such as State parks, forests, and conservation programs, State hospitals and other health care facilities, and State correctional institutions and programs; (4) special assistance for areas which have experienced sudden or severe economic dislocations, including large-scale losses of jobs caused by the closing of facilities or mass layoffs; (5) State-directed emergency aid programs to cope with natural disasters, including erosion, flood, drought, and storm damage assistance and control activities; and (6) special assistance to seasonal farmworkers and small farmers in rural, agricultural areas which have experienced substantial losses of jobs due to the rising numbers of farm mortgage foreclosures and other severe economic disruption (in conjunction, as appropriate, with eligible entities under part B or with related programs under the Job Training Partnership Act). Directs States to give special consideration to establishing programs and activities at job sites within areas in the State in which the unemployment rate equals or exceeds the national average. Directs States to evaluate projects on the basis of severity and duration of unemployment within localities and the level of need for activities and services to be provided. Allots funds for this part among the States, in accordance with specified provisions, on the basis of relative numbers of residents who have been unemployed for 26 or more weeks. Requires the Secretary, within ten days after the enactment of an appropriation for this Act, to notify each State of the preliminary allotment. Requires States, within 30 days after receiving notice of such allotment, to submit statements of agreement to use such funds in accordance with this Act and to provide quarterly reports. Directs the Secretary, within 30 days after the final day for such submissions, to make a final allotment. Sets forth requirements for payment of such allotments by the Secretary. Title III: Educational Facility Repair and Renovation Work - Sets forth provisions for school facility repair and renovation projects. Requires that funds made available to any local educational agency (LEA) under this part be used for projects and activities (in accordance with the limitation on the use of funds under title I) to employ eligible participants qualifying under title III provisions) in the repair, renovation, or rehabilitation of public school facilities. Requires that, to the maximum extent feasible, funds under this part be used for projects and activities for which on-site labor can begin within 90 days of receipt of such funds. Requires that such funds be used in accordance with State and local procedures for: (1) assisting SEAs and LEAs to conform their public school facilities with specified requirements under the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and with requirements of any government environmental protection or health and safety programs; (2) public school facilities repair, renovation, or rehabilitation; (3) conversion of presently unused structures into adult training centers; (4) energy efficiency remodeling or renovation; and (5) asbestos detection, removal, or containment in facilities used by students. Requires that funds under this part which are made available to the Secretary of the Interior shall be made available to Indian tribal schools, upon applications containing specified information. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, within 120 days after enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations for such grants program, including priorities for such program. Declares that the Department of the Interior shall be considered a State education agency (SEA) for purposes of requirements for receipt of allotments under this part. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to relieve the Secretary of the Interior of the responsibility to provide adequate and equitable funding under the Snyder Act for the operations and maintenance of Indian tribal school facilities. Directs the Secretary of Education ("the Secretary" for purposes of this title) to make the allotment of the funds available for this title. Directs the Secretary to allot, from funds for this part: (1) one-half of one percent to specified U.S. territories and possessions in accordance with their respective needs; and (2) one-half of one percent to the Secretary of the Interior for grants to Indian tribal schools. Directs the Secretary to allot the remainder among the States on the basis of relative: (1) number of unemployed individuals; (2) number of unemployed individuals in each county in excess of six and one-half percent of the civilian labor force; (3) number of unemployed individuals in each county in excess of the national average unemployment rate; and (4) amount of basic grant funds received under specified provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Prohibits any SEA from reserving more than one percent of the State allotment for administrative costs and four percent to meet special needs. Directs the SEA to allocate the remainder: (1) among the counties on the same basis used for State allotments; and (2) within each county on the basis used by that State in distributing funds under specified provisions of ESEA. Sets forth requirements for receipt of an allotment. Requires SEAs to submit, within ten days after receiving notice of such allotment, a statement of agreement to use such funds in accordance with this Act and to provide quarterly reports. Directs the Secretary, within ten days after the final day for such submissions, to make a final allotment. Sets forth requirements for payment of allotments by the Secretary. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth general requirements relating to employment and projects under this Act. Sets forth nondiscrimination provisions. Prohibits projects involving construction, operation, or maintenance of so much of any facility as is used or is to be used for sectarian instruction or religious worship. Requires that funds under this Act be used only for activities which are in addition to those which would be available in the area in the absence of such funds. Prohibits providing funds for subsidized employment under this Act to private organizations to conduct activities customarily performed by public employees in the area. Limits participation in title II or III activities to residents of the area of the recipient. Prohibits funding of any program involving political activities. Prohibits the employment, in a subsidized wage position under this Act, of individuals who have voluntarily terminated without good cause, within the preceding six months, full-time employment at or exceeding the Federal minimum wage. Makes the State employment service agency, in certifying eligible participants and referring them for employment to recipients under title II or III, responsible for ensuring equal employment opportunities and the full participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, including women and racial and ethnic minorities. Makes each recipient of funds under title II or III responsible for ensuring such opportunities and for full participation in the selection of eligible participants for such employment. Requires that participants in subsidized employment under this Act be paid at least the highest of the Federal, State, or local minimum wage, or the prevailing rate of pay for employment in similar occupations by the same employer. Limits the portion of any wages paid from funds under this Act to $230 per week. Adjusts such maximum annually according to national aggregate wage and salary increases. Permits such wages to be supplemented by other sources, up to an amount equal to 50 percent of such maximum. Requires that participants be allowed sufficient time off from work activities to participate effectively in job search activities. Permits funds under this Act to be used to employ individuals in part-time, flexible-time, and work-sharing employment customarily offered by the employer, if such individuals receive benefits customarily provided with such employment by the same employer. Requires programs under this Act to maintain an individual work record for each participant. Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year to enable the United States Employment Service (USES) to provide funds to State employment service agencies to provide the following services in accordance with agreements with recipients under titles II and III: (1) certification of eligible participants in accordance with title I provisions, and their referral to available job openings; and (2) labor market information and job search services, including counseling and group job search activities (such as job finding clubs), to assist participants in finding regular unsubsidized employment as soon as possible, with increasingly intensive services for those approaching the maximum duration for participants under this Act. Sets forth requirements for quarterly reports by recipients of title II or III funds. Sets forth program labor standards relating to conditions of employment and training, health and safety standards, workers' compensation benefits, and job benefits and working conditions. Prohibits use of funds under this Act for contributions on behalf of any participant to retirement systems or plans. Requires recipients of funds under this Act to provide the Secretary with assurances that none of such funds will be used to assist, promote, or deter union organizing. Requires that an opportunity for comment be provided for any labor organization representing a substantial number of employees engaged in similar work or training in the same areas as that proposed to be funded under this Act. Applies the wage rate requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act to all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in works federally assisted under this Act. Provides that such rates are not required to be paid to participants under this Act unless they are employed in connection with projects funded by this Act in whole or in part, exclusive of wages and benefits, or projects covered by any other statute requiring the payment of such Davis-Bacon Act wage rates. Prohibits displacement of any currently employed worker by participants in programs funded under this Act. Prohibits such programs from impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements. Requires the written concurrence of the labor organization and the employer concerned before any such program which would be inconsistent with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement may be undertaken. Prohibits program participants from being employed or job openings from being filled when: (1) any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job; or (2) the employer terminates the employment of any regular unsubsidized employee in the same or any substantially equivalent job or otherwise reduces the number of regular unsubsidized employees in such jobs. Prohibits the employment of, or the filling of a job opening by, any participant whose wages are subsidized under this Act in any "government" (meaning a State or local government, public agency, or local educational agency) department having 25 or more regular unsubsidized employees, unless the number of such employees currently employed is at least equal to a number determined according to a specified formula. Prohibits creation of jobs in a promotional line that will infringe in any way on the promotional opportunities of currently employed individuals. Requires that quarterly reports submitted under specified provisions of this Act: (1) be transmitted by the recipient to any labor organization representing government employees who are engaged in work similar to that performed by employees whose wages are subsidized under this Act; (2) set forth specified information relating to numbers of unsubsized and subsidized employees of government departments in which subsidized employment is provided under this Act; and (3) include a statement identifying and explaining job reductions in any department where there has been a decline of unsubsidized employees above a specified amount over a certain period. Sets forth procedures for review of complaints by employees or labor organizations concerning violations of this Act by governments. Sets forth requirements relating to payment of funds, fiscal controls, and sanctions under this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

No timeline events have been ingested for this record yet.

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 4 August 1983

  Open at official source

Sponsors

No sponsors or actors listed by the source.

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.