Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to address the economic and workforce impacts of substance use disorders. It establishes a two-year pilot grant program administered competitively by the Secretary to help eligible State and local boards. These boards will work through participating partnerships with local groups like employers, treatment providers, and community organizations. The grants aim to help workers affected by substance use or help individuals transition into careers supporting those struggling with addiction. Additionally, the bill authorizes specific funding amounts for these grants each fiscal year from 2027 through 2032.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +6
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?
The bill directly addresses the substance use crisis by establishing grants to help affected workers recover and transition into supportive careers.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The program prioritizes individuals with barriers to employment and low labor force participation in economically depressed areas.
- Scored +4
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
Grant funds can be used to provide mental health services and evidence-based outpatient substance use disorder treatment.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Workers and Job Training: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(C)(iii), provides career services, training services, and employability skills training to help program participants maintain employment. This is a positive step to help people get back on their feet and secure stable jobs.
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Access to Health and Recovery Services: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(C)(ii), allows grant funds to be used for supportive services such as evidence-based outpatient treatment, peer recovery support, and health or mental health services. This helps individuals get the direct care they need to maintain their recovery and employment.
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Workforce Development in High-Need Areas: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(B)(ii), helps workers transition into careers that support individuals with substance use disorders, such as treatment providers, peer recovery support, and mental health care. This addresses local workforce shortages and trains professionals to help others in their communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limits on Supportive Services Funds: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(D)(ii), restricts a participating partnership from using more than 10 percent of its grant funds for providing supportive services to program participants. This cap could potentially limit the amount of direct financial or supportive help an individual participant receives.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The program prioritizes individuals with barriers to employment and low labor force participation in economically depressed areas. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Dislocated and incumbent workers of middle age receive support for reemployment and addiction recovery. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Substance use disorders are treated as employment barriers, and participants receive comprehensive supportive and vocational services. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults facing employment barriers and substance use challenges benefit directly from the targeted career and recovery services. Would business owners be better off under this? — Participating partnerships actively engage employers to help them meet hiring requirements and build trained talent pipelines. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The statute explicitly requires equitable geographic distribution of grants, ensuring rural communities severely impacted by the crisis receive support. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans living in areas impacted by substance use disorders can benefit from the career training and supportive health services.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill directly addresses the substance use crisis by establishing grants to help affected workers recover and transition into supportive careers. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation supports partnerships with treatment providers and community health organizations to deliver direct health and recovery services. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Grant funds can be used to provide mental health services and evidence-based outpatient substance use disorder treatment.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides grant funding for workforce development and job training programs targeted at individuals affected by substance use disorders. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Funding workforce initiatives in economically depressed service areas helps integrate individuals into the labor force and supports local economic recovery. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The pilot program engages employers and industry organizations to help connect workers with on-the-job training and customized training programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing career services, training, and employment support helps lift individuals recovering from substance use disorders out of poverty. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Stable employment and supportive recovery services assist vulnerable participants in achieving housing stability.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill ensures equitable distribution of grant awards based on geography, including rural areas impacted by the substance use crisis.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates independent evaluations and quarterly reporting requirements to monitor the effectiveness of the pilot program.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Rick LarsenDemocrat · Washington