Edward Markey (D-MA)
Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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 pilot program for competitive two-year grants to eligible entities on behalf of participating partnerships. The grants aim to help workers affected by substance use disorders or workers transitioning into support occupations. Funded activities include engaging employers, providing supportive services, and offering career and job training services. The legislation also authorizes appropriations for these grants from fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2032.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +6
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?
The legislation directly addresses the economic and workforce impacts of substance use disorders through targeted grants and treatment support.
- Scored +5
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
Grant funds support outpatient substance use disorder treatment and mental health services for program participants.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The program provides essential supportive services and job training to individuals with barriers to employment and low-income workers.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes new federal appropriations totaling millions of dollars annually from fiscal year 2027 through 2032.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Affected Workers: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(B)(i) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides services and activities to workers, including dislocated workers and individuals with barriers to employment, who are directly or indirectly affected by a substance use disorder. This is positive because it offers targeted assistance to individuals struggling with the economic and personal fallout of the substance use crisis.
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Career Transition Opportunities: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(B)(ii) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, helps workers transition into occupations that support individuals struggling with substance use disorders, such as treatment, peer recovery support, and mental health care. This is positive because it equips workers with new skills for high-demand jobs while strengthening the workforce available to combat the crisis.
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Comprehensive Supportive Services: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(C)(ii) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides supportive services like health services, mental health services, and outpatient substance use disorder treatment to assist participants in maintaining employment and recovery. This is positive because it addresses the holistic needs of individuals, helping them stay employed and healthy for at least 12 months.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Spending Limits on Direct Support: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(D)(ii) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, prohibits a participating partnership from using more than 10 percent of its grant funds to provide supportive services to program participants. This could be considered a negative burden because it restricts the amount of financial aid available for critical supportive needs like treatment and counseling.
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Administrative Cost Restrictions on Partnerships: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(D)(i) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, caps the administrative costs of a participating partnership at 10 percent of the received grant funds. This might be seen as a negative constraint if local organizations struggle to cover the necessary operational and overhead costs required to effectively run these complex programs.
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 provides essential supportive services and job training to individuals with barriers to employment and low-income workers. Would business owners be better off under this? — Employers gain access to customized training programs and support to help hire and retain skilled workers. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Dislocated workers and middle-aged individuals affected by the substance use crisis receive targeted reemployment assistance. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Indian Tribes and tribal organizations are explicitly included as eligible partners to receive grant support for affected communities. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Individuals facing significant barriers to employment, including disabilities related to substance use, receive targeted support. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Grant allocations explicitly account for geographic distribution to support rural communities impacted by substance use disorders. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The pilot program ensures equitable distribution of grants across urban and rural service areas. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults entering the workforce or affected by substance use disorders benefit from targeted career training and support. Would students be better off under this? — Education providers participate in training partnerships that equip workers with new skills for support occupations.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The legislation directly addresses the economic and workforce impacts of substance use disorders through targeted grants and treatment support. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Grant funds support outpatient substance use disorder treatment and mental health services for program participants. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill facilitates access to supportive health services and treatment providers for individuals affected by substance use disorders.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes grant programs to connect workers with employment, on-the-job training, and career transition opportunities. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By helping individuals recover from substance use disorders and re-enter the workforce, the legislation supports local economic participation. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Participating partnerships may engage employers, including small businesses, to connect them with trained workers and support solutions. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes new federal appropriations totaling millions of dollars annually from fiscal year 2027 through 2032.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation mandates quarterly reporting requirements and independent evaluations to measure program effectiveness. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill authorizes a new federally administered competitive grant pilot program through the Department of Labor.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing career training and supportive services helps lift individuals affected by substance use disorders out of unemployment and poverty. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Comprehensive supportive services and stable employment assistance can help vulnerable individuals maintain housing stability.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The pilot program mandates equitable distribution of grant awards based on geography, including rural areas affected by the crisis.
- 9/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.