Workforce Investment Act Amendments of 2003
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2003 | House · vote #175 | On Passage | Passed | 220–204 | See who voted → |
| May 8, 2003 | House · vote #174 | On Motion to Recommit with Instructions | Failed | 202–223 | See who voted → |
Amends WIA to revise Workforce Investment Systems requirements for State and local planning, allocation, work force investment board membership, and performance accountability. Requires State certification of one-stop centers for allocation of infrastructure funds. Consolidates, under a formula grant for a comprehensive program for adult activities, funding for adult job training, dislocated worker retraining, the employment service system, and reemployment grants. Requires youth training programs to spend a greater portion of their funds on out-of-school youth. Reauthorizes various national job training programs, including the Job Corps and programs for Native Americans, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and veterans. Replaces the Youth Opportunity Grants program with a Youth Challenge Grants program for in-school and out-of-school youth.
Directs the Secretary of Labor to allot grants to States to allocate funds to local areas to establish personal reemployment accounts for individuals likely to exhaust their unemployment compensation.
Exempts religious organizations, with respect to their employment of individuals of a particular religion, from WIA nondiscrimination requirements.
Adult Basic Skills Education Act - Revises, reauthorizes, and renames WIA title II as Adult Basic Skills Education (currently the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act). Requires focus on, and State demonstration of progress in, basic skills, such as English language acquisition, reading, writing, and mathematics. Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of national leadership activities.
Repeals Wagner-Peyser Act provisions relating to the U.S. Employment Service.
Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to revise and reauthorize vocational rehabilitation programs. Places the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the Department of Education (currently Office of the Secretary), with an RSA Director (currently Commissioner) appointed by the Secretary of Education (currently President). Revises transitional services for special education students moving from school to post-school activities, and coordination of such services with those under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.