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119-hr-1434119th CongressWALLET

Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act

Sponsored By: Representative Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]

Introduced

Summary

Federally funded expansion of subsidized summer jobs for youth. This bill would create a Department of Labor program to grow summer employment for people under 25 and fund pilots that test new ways to boost school, work, and justice outcomes.

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  • Youth and families: Grants would require at least 4 weeks of paid summer work, pay at the higher of federal, state, or local minimum wage, and add coaching, mentoring, digital literacy, and connections to education or training to improve graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and employment while aiming to reduce arrests and incarceration.
  • Local governments, nonprofits, and employers: Eligible entities like States, local governments, local boards, and nonprofits could receive grants to start or scale programs. Funding prioritizes high youth unemployment or violent crime areas and serving underserved youth. Forty-five percent of funds go to expansion grants and 45 percent go to innovation grants.
  • Program learning and oversight: Five percent of funds support independent impact evaluations that must begin within 3 years and measure outcomes at 1, 3, and 5 years. Another 5 percent funds an Advisory Board to review applications, guide technical assistance, and approve evidence-based innovations.

*Would authorize about $1.1 billion in appropriations across 2026–2030, increasing federal spending over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Five-year funding for summer jobs

If enacted, Congress would authorize $200 million in FY2026, $210 million in FY2027, $220 million in FY2028, $230 million in FY2029, and $240 million in FY2030. Each year, 45% would go to expansion grants and 45% to innovation grants. Another 5% would fund program evaluations and 5% would fund the Advisory Board. These funds would still need to be approved each year through appropriations.

More paid summer jobs for youth

If enacted, the Labor Department would award competitive grants to expand summer jobs for people under age 25. Funded programs would need to offer at least 4 weeks of paid work and pay at least the highest minimum wage that applies. They would have to do fair outreach, match youth to employers, and give coaching and mentoring. Programs would also help youth connect to school, apprenticeships, or job training and support employers so jobs fit skills and needs. The Secretary would favor places with higher youth joblessness and violent crime and programs that reach more underserved youth, including rural and suburban youth.

New supports in youth jobs programs

If enacted, separate grants would help current summer youth jobs programs add new, evidence‑based features. Examples include intensive mentoring, tutoring, job training, social‑emotional learning, mental health and substance use supports, and help with money, housing, and transportation. Programs could also use virtual learning, learn‑and‑earn models, digital badges, more private‑sector jobs in in‑demand fields, and multi‑year ladders of summer jobs. New ideas not on the list could be approved if the Secretary, with the Advisory Board, expects they can show evidence. The Secretary would prioritize high‑need areas and programs serving more underserved youth.

Advisory board and required evaluations

If enacted, grant recipients would need to start a yearly performance check within 1 year and continue it during the grant. The Secretary would hire independent researchers to evaluate each program, starting within 3 years, and track results at 1, 3, and 5 years on school, jobs, wages, and crime. Studies would use random assignment when possible. An Advisory Board inside the Labor Department would review applications, give technical help, approve new program elements, and publish a database of completed studies. States, cities, local workforce boards, nonprofits, and U.S. territories could apply for these grants.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 2/18/2025

  • Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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