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119-hr-10704119th CongressWALLET

Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a federal grant program to recruit, retain, and advance direct care workers. The bill would have the Department of Labor, working with Health and Human Services, fund training, career pathways, wage support, and technical assistance to grow the direct care workforce.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Training, wages, and supports for direct care workers

If enacted, grant recipients would have to use funds for recruiting, retaining, or advancing direct care workers. Grants could pay for training, career pathways, career planning, wages or benefits, mentoring, and supportive services. On-the-job training must pay a clear, rising wage schedule and at least the greater of the federal minimum wage or any applicable state or contract wage. Grantees could not charge participants and must use funds to supplement, not replace, existing State or regional funding. No more than 7% of each grant may pay administrative, evaluation, or reporting costs.

Grants to grow the direct care workforce

If enacted, the Department of Labor would award federal grants to recruit, retain, and advance direct care workers. States, labor groups, nonprofits, Tribes, workforce boards, and partnered colleges could apply. The program would get $300 million each year for fiscal years 2027–2032. Grants must be awarded within 12 months and last at least five years. The Secretary would prioritize diverse places and areas where direct care jobs are in demand.

Technical help and national center for direct care

If enacted, the Secretary would set aside up to 2% of each year's grant appropriation for technical assistance starting within 5 months after enactment. The bill would also provide $6 million a year for FY2027–FY2032 for a National Technical Assistance Center to support training, tools, and state/provider partnerships. These funds would help grantees meet data and program requirements.

Reporting, evaluation, and GAO study on direct care

If enacted, each grantee would file annual progress reports and a final report within 6 months after each strategy ends. Reports must include counts, training completions, post-program employment, WIOA-style employment metrics, and supportive services needed and received, disaggregated by race, disability, age, sex, and WIOA groups. The Secretary would submit a consolidated report to Congress within one year after the final funded strategy ends. The GAO would study program effects and report to Congress within one year after the Secretary's report.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

  • Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

  • Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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