AID Youth Employment Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kelly (IL)
Introduced
Summary
Expand subsidized youth employment by funding competitive grants for paid summer and year-round jobs for 14–24 year olds, focused on marginalized youth, employer-aligned placements, mentoring, and trauma-informed supports. It would set program rules on wages, mentor contact, supportive services, and coordination with other federal youth programs.
Show full summary
- Youth and families: Marginalized and at-risk youth aged 14–24 would get paid work, mentoring, and supports like transportation and mental health. Year-round placements cap in-school hours to part-time and set 20–40 hours per week for out-of-school youth.
- Tribal and rural communities: Indian tribes and tribal organizations could apply under alternative processes and receive a larger federal share for implementation costs, with the Secretary required to fund at least 95 percent of those costs and a year-round set-aside of not less than 5 percent for tribal activities.
- Local programs and employers: States, local governments, community groups, schools, and employers could win competitive planning and implementation grants that generally require a 50 percent non-federal match. Up to 10 percent of appropriated funds may be reserved for technical assistance to help applicants.
*The bill would authorize up to $1.8 billion for subsidized summer grants and up to $2.4 billion for year-round grants, with up to 10 percent of those amounts reserved for technical assistance.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Subsidized summer jobs for youth
This bill would create competitive grants to run paid summer jobs for youth. Planning grants would be up to $250,000 for one year; implementation grants would be up to $6,000,000 for three years. The federal grant would generally cover up to 50% of program costs; for Indian tribes, at least 95%. Grantees would provide the rest with cash or in‑kind; tribes could count some federal sources. States, local governments, tribes, and community groups could apply, and tribes could use an alternative application process after consultation. Mentors would contact youth at least once each week. Up to $1.8 billion of available funds could be used for summer jobs, and $375 million per year is authorized for 2026–2030 for this section. The Secretary could reserve up to 10% for technical help and oversight.
Year-round subsidized jobs for youth
This bill would create competitive grants for year‑round paid jobs for youth. Planning grants would be up to $250,000 for one year; implementation grants would be up to $6,000,000 for three years. In‑school youth would be limited to 15 hours of work per week. Out‑of‑school youth would have 20 to 40 hours per week, based on needs and readiness. Programs would plan for mental health help, transportation, and child care. Mentors would contact youth at least twice each week. Up to $2.4 billion of available funds could be used for year‑round jobs, and $500 million per year is authorized for 2026–2030. The Secretary could reserve up to 10% for technical help and oversight.
Performance checks and annual reports
The Secretary would set performance measures and a continuous improvement system for funded programs. The Secretary would review each grantee every year and publish program quality information. Measures would include employment or education in the second and fourth quarter after exit, and credentials or measurable skill gains. The Secretary would send an initial report to Congress within three years and then every year after.
Who qualifies and how subsidies work
This bill would set who can take part and how jobs are subsidized. Eligible youth would be ages 14 to 24 and be in school, out of school, or unemployed. It would define “marginalized” youth, including those who are homeless, in foster care, justice‑involved, not enrolled or at risk of dropping out, or living in underserved communities facing trauma or discrimination. It would define “subsidized employment” as a job where the employer gets a full or partial payment to offset hiring costs. These rules would guide who local programs reach and how employers receive support.
Tribal program rules clarified
The Secretary could issue rules to explain how these programs apply to Indian tribes and tribal organizations. This would help tailor grant rules and administration to tribal contexts.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kelly (IL)
IL • D
Cosponsors
Case
HI • D
Sponsored 8/19/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 2/13/2026
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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