A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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
The PARTNERS Act aims to support small and medium-sized businesses in in-demand industry sectors by promoting registered apprenticeships and work-based learning. It accomplishes this through the establishment of industry or sector partnerships. The Secretary of Labor will receive funds from the general fund of the Treasury to provide allotments to eligible States. States will then use these funds to award grants to local or regional partnerships. These partnerships are tasked with engaging businesses and providing support services to workers. The goal is to foster skill development and continuing employment through structured training and mentorship.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill provides specific assistance to help small and medium-sized businesses navigate apprenticeship registration and curriculum development.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill targets individuals with barriers to employment and provides support services like transportation and tools.
- Scored +6
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill promotes registered apprenticeships and work-based learning to foster continuing employment.
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 Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: The bill provides assistance to help these businesses navigate the registration of apprenticeship programs, develop curricula, and connect with education providers (Section 7(b)).
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Career Advancement for Workers: The program focuses on work-based learning that provides paid work experience and classroom instruction intended to lead to continuing employment (Section 3(4)(A)).
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Assistance for Vulnerable Populations: The Act specifically targets service provision for individuals with barriers to employment and populations that have been historically underrepresented in certain industry sectors (Section 5(c)(4)).
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Comprehensive Worker Support: Partnerships can provide essential support services, such as connecting individuals with adult basic education, providing tools and work attire, and offering transportation or child care (Section 7(c)(1)).
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Long-term Stability: Support services are required to be provided for at least 12 months, covering periods of training, transition, and continuing employment to help ensure worker success (Section 7(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limitations on Support Services: While support services like child care and transportation are available, the use of grant funds for these specific services is capped at not more than 5 percent of the received grant funds (Section 7(c)(1)(E)).
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 bill targets individuals with barriers to employment and provides support services like transportation and tools. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides support services intended to help individuals with barriers to employment succeed in training and employment. Would students be better off under this? — The bill enhances educational opportunities through integrated work-based learning and classroom instruction. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill focuses on apprenticeships and work-based learning which are primary career entry points for young adults. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions to support populations that have been historically underrepresented in industry sectors. Would women be better off under this? — The bill includes support services like child care and tracks performance disaggregated by sex.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides specific assistance to help small and medium-sized businesses navigate apprenticeship registration and curriculum development. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes registered apprenticeships and work-based learning to foster continuing employment. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill invests in skill development and industry partnerships to support in-demand industry sectors.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill targets individuals with barriers to employment and provides support services to aid transitions to continuing employment. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill requires reporting on performance disaggregated by race and ethnicity to track progress for underrepresented populations. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill allows for the provision of child care services to support workers in work-based learning programs.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill supports work-based learning that combines paid work experience with classroom instruction.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/11/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors 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.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Brett GuthrieRepublican · Kentucky
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
Haley StevensDemocrat · Michigan