S 1991 — CAREER Act of 2023

(a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”), in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall continue or establish a program to support individuals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce. (b) Grants authorized In carrying out the activities under this section, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, award grants each for a period of not more than 5 years to entities to enable such entities to carry out evidence-based programs to help individuals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce. Such entities shall coordinate, as applicable, with Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as applicable), State boards and local boards (as defined in section 3102 of title 29, lead State agencies with responsibility for a workforce investment activity (as defined in such section 3102), and State agencies responsible for carrying out substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs. (c) Priority (1) In general In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority based on the State in which the entity is located. Priority shall be given among States according to a formula based on the average rates for calendar years 2018 through 2022 described in paragraph (2) and weighted as described in paragraph (3). (2) Rates The rates described in this paragraph are the following: (A) The highest age-adjusted average rates of drug overdose deaths for calendar years 2018 through 2022 based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including, if necessary, provisional data for calendar year 2022. (B) The highest average rates of unemployment for calendar years 2018 through 2022 based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (C) The lowest average labor force participation rates for calendar years 2018 through 2022 based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (3) Weighting The rates described in paragraph (2) shall be weighted as follows: (A) The rate described in paragraph (2)(A) shall be weighted 70 percent. (B) The rate described in paragraph (2)(B) shall be weighted 15 percent. (C) The rate described in paragraph (2)(C) shall be weighted 15 percent. (d) Preference In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to entities located in areas within States with the greatest need, with such need based on the highest mortality rate related to substance use disorder. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term “eligible entity” means an entity that offers treatment or recovery services for individuals with substance use disorders, and partners with one or more local or State stakeholders, which may include local employers, community organizations, the local workforce development board, local and State governments, and Indian Tribes or tribal organizations, to support recovery, independent living, and participation in the workforce. (2) Indian Tribes; tribal organization The terms “Indian Tribe” and “tribal organization” have the meanings given the terms “Indian tribe” and “tribal organization” in section 5304 of title 25. (3) State The term “State” includes only the several States and the District of Columbia. (f) Applications An eligible entity shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. In submitting an application, the entity shall demonstrate the ability to partner with local stakeholders, which may include local employers, community stakeholders, the local workforce development board, local and State governments, and Indian Tribes or tribal organizations, as applicable, to— (1) identify gaps in the workforce due to the prevalence of substance use disorders; (2) in coordination with statewide employment and training activities, including coordination and alignment of activities carried out by entiti...