HR 2099 — 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.

Summary

This bill requires states to incorporate into their career services programs (1) information about entrepreneurship, and (2) referrals to microenterprise services. It also requires the Department of Labor to conduct a multistate study of entrepreneurial skills development programs, including a review of successful practices for developing such skills.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html March 14, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands the scope of workforce development to include entrepreneurial skills development and programs.

• 29 U.S.C. 3111(d)(3)(D)

  and jobseekers → jobseekers, and entrepreneurs

  The definition now explicitly includes entrepreneurs as a target group for workforce services.

• 29 U.S.C. 3111(d)(3)(D)

  and entrepreneurial skills development and microenterprise services

  The functions of the State workforce development boards are broadened to include support for entrepreneurial skills and microenterprise services.

• 29 U.S.C. 3152(a)(2)(C)

  and providers of entrepreneurial skills development programs

  Providers of entrepreneurial skills development programs are now included in the list of eligible training providers.

• 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)

  ; and → ;

  The clause punctuation is corrected to properly structure the list of required local employment and training activities.

• 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)

  provision of information on entrepreneurship, as appropriate;

  Local training activities must now provide information on entrepreneurship.

• 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)

  and referral to microenterprise services, as appropriate;

  Local training activities are required to include referral to microenterprise services.

• 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)

  , which may include resources to support entrepreneurship,

  Resources related to entrepreneurship are now explicitly mentioned in the list of local employment and training activities.

• 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)

  , which may include entrepreneurship opportunities,

  The list of demand-related items now includes entrepreneurship opportunities.

• 29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)

  or entrepreneurial opportunities

  References to workplace opportunities now also include entrepreneurial opportunities.

• 29 U.S.C. 3224(b)(4)

  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: 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.

  A multistate study on entrepreneurial skills development programs is mandated to investigate success factors and impacts.

• 29 U.S.C. 3224(b)(5)(A)

  which shall include individuals pursuing entrepreneurship,

  Individuals pursuing entrepreneurship are specifically included among the service populations for evaluations and studies.

• 29 U.S.C. 3224(c)

  Such projects may include demonstration and pilot projects relating to promoting self-employment, promoting entrepreneurship, promoting job creation (especially for in-demand industry sectors or occupations), averting dislocations, assisting dislocated farmers, assisting dislocated fishermen, developing career pathways and encouraging advancements, and promoting public works. → Such projects may include demonstration and pilot projects relating to promoting self-employment, promoting entrepreneurship, promoting job creation (especially for in-demand industry sectors or occupations), averting dislocations, assisting dislocated farmers, assisting dislocated fishermen, developing career pathways and encouraging advancements, and promoting public works.

  The project scope is reiterated to specify a focus on promoting entrepreneurship.

Action History

1. March 14, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. March 14, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. March 14, 2025

   Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sponsors

• Rick W. Allen · Primary
• Mark DeSaulnier · Cosponsor
• Ami Bera · Cosponsor

Subjects