ACCESS Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5295

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-10-18T08:05:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The ACCESS Act aims to increase public awareness of skilled trade programs and improve access to career counseling for secondary students. It amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a federal law that funds workforce development programs, to promote education and training in high-skill, high-wage jobs, including trades like construction, manufacturing, and other in-demand sectors.

Key Provisions

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Requires states receiving WIOA funds to conduct outreach efforts, such as public service announcements, social media campaigns, and other media, to highlight career and technical education (CTE) programs. These programs, often offered by community-based organizations, prepare young people for skilled trades and emerging professions.
• Labor Market Information Services: Mandates that local workforce development boards provide information on job opportunities in high-skill, high-wage sectors, including skilled trades. This includes career awareness activities, one-on-one counseling, and exploration opportunities to help individuals understand local job markets.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new requirement under WIOA's statewide activities section (Section 129(b)(2)) for public awareness campaigns focused on CTE and skilled trades, shifting existing subparagraphs to make room for this addition.
• Revises the local requirements section (Section 129(c)(2)(M)) to expand services beyond general employment info, explicitly including career counseling and exploration tailored to high-demand trades and professions. This broadens the scope from basic job information to more proactive career guidance.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: State and local workforce boards, funded through the U.S. Department of Labor, will need to allocate resources for campaigns and counseling services, potentially increasing administrative costs but also enhancing program effectiveness.
• Citizens: Secondary students and eligible youth (typically ages 14-24) gain better access to information about skilled trade careers, which could lead to higher enrollment in training programs and reduced skills gaps in industries like manufacturing and infrastructure. Community-based organizations may see more partnerships and funding opportunities.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic workforce development.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Youth and Students: Secondary school students and young job seekers who benefit from increased awareness and counseling to pursue skilled trades.
• Educators and Workforce Providers: Teachers, career counselors, and local workforce boards responsible for implementing new outreach and services.
• Community Organizations: Non-profits offering CTE programs that prepare individuals for trades, gaining visibility through required campaigns.
• Employers and Industries: Businesses in high-demand sectors like skilled trades, potentially seeing a larger pool of trained workers.
• State and Federal Agencies: Entities administering WIOA funds, such as state education departments and the Department of Labor, tasked with oversight and funding distribution.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens WIOA's focus on youth employment without creating new entitlements or mandates outside existing funding structures, ensuring compliance with federal grant requirements. No challenges to enforceability are evident.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate workforce training for economic productivity; no apparent free speech or privacy issues from awareness campaigns.
• Political: Supports bipartisan goals of addressing labor shortages in trades amid aging workforces and infrastructure needs, potentially appealing to vocational education advocates. It encourages equitable access to career paths, indirectly promoting social mobility without controversial elements like quotas.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Access to Career Counseling for Every Secondary Student Act — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (3 pages)