Labor Department Ends Mandatory Outreach to Protected Groups
Published Date: 6/23/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 24, 2026, organizations that get money from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) won’t have to follow the old rules about affirmative outreach. This means they no longer must actively reach out to certain groups to promote their programs. The change simplifies things for recipients without affecting funding amounts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory Outreach Requirement Removed
Starting July 24, 2026, organizations that receive Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I financial assistance are no longer required by 29 CFR 38.40 to conduct affirmative outreach to demographic groups (for example, by race, sex, disability, age, or national origin). Recipients are free to continue voluntary outreach, but the federal rule that said they "must take appropriate steps" to reach particular groups has been rescinded.
Voluntary Outreach Still Allowed
The rule makes clear recipients may still choose to do outreach on their own and may use WIOA funds to recruit participants and partner with community groups. The Department will also continue its own outreach work (for example through ODEP-funded centers such as the LEAD Center and CAPE-Youth and initiatives like RETAIN and NEON) to connect individuals with disabilities and others to workforce services.
No New Costs; Small-Entity Relief
The Department certified that rescinding the affirmative outreach rule will not impose new compliance costs and "will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities" under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The rule also does not change WIOA funding amounts.
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