NO BOSS Act
Sponsored By: Senator Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced
Summary
Broadens access to self-employment assistance. The NO BOSS Act would let more unemployed people qualify and set standardized, state-approved entrepreneurial activities while requiring Labor Department rules and giving States a two-year transition.
Show full summary
- Workers and aspiring entrepreneurs: Unemployed people would no longer need to be likely to exhaust regular unemployment compensation to join self-employment assistance programs. They would qualify by completing State-approved entrepreneurial training, business counseling, technical assistance, or by submitting a State-approved business plan and market feasibility study.
- State workforce agencies: States would decide which activities count and may change their laws before the two-year delayed effective date. The Department of Labor would provide guidance that includes a model list of qualifying activities and best practices for verifying completion.
- Federal rules and timing: The Secretary of Labor would issue regulations after public notice and comment and Office of Management and Budget approval, and the bill sets a two-year delay before these amendments take effect.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More self-employment help for job seekers
If enacted, this bill would change State self-employment assistance (SEA) programs. You would no longer have to be likely to run out of regular unemployment benefits to join SEA. SEA activities would have to be approved by the State and either include entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical help, or follow a State‑approved business plan and market feasibility study. The Labor Department would issue a model list of allowed SEA activities and guidance on verifying completion. The Labor Department would write rules after public notice and comment and OMB approval. The changes would take effect two years after enactment, but States could change their laws sooner.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
OK • R
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 8/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov