Helping to Encourage Real Opportunities (HERO) for Youth Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
Introduced
Summary
Expands youth access to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The bill broadens the credit so more young people and employers can qualify year round, raises the credit amount, and adds a new "disconnected youth" category.
Show full summary
- Employers: Makes part-time, school-year hires eligible by covering youth who work up to 20 hours per week between September 16 and April 30 while regularly attending secondary school. It also raises the credit amount for eligible youth, though the text does not list the new dollar value.
- Young people and families: Creates a new "disconnected youth" pathway for ages 16 to under 25 who have not recently attended school or worked and who lack basic skills. It also includes ages 16 to under 21 who were in foster care during the prior 12 months as a qualifying group.
- Program rules and timing: Replaces "summer" limits with a year-round framework across the statute and applies these changes to workers who begin employment after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Broader tax credit for youth hiring
If enacted, employers could claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for more youth hires. The credit would be available year-round, not just in summer. Part-time students could qualify. They must work 20 hours a week or less between September 16 and April 30 while attending secondary school. Employers could also claim the credit for “disconnected youth” ages 16 to 24 who meet certification and self-certification rules. They must show that for the last 6 months they did not regularly attend school or work and they lack basic skills. Foster youth ages 16 to 20 could qualify if certified and they were in foster care within the last 12 months. These rules would apply to hires who start work after the bill is enacted.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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