Bill · S. 5524· Senate(119-S-5524)
Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act
- Introduced
- 9/24/2026
- Last activity
- 9/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to address the economic and workforce impacts of substance use disorders. It establishes a pilot program for competitive two-year grants to eligible entities on behalf of participating partnerships. The grants aim to help workers affected by substance use disorders or workers transitioning into support occupations. Funded activities include engaging employers, providing supportive services, and offering career and job training services. The legislation also authorizes appropriations for these grants from fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2032.
Yes· 3 of 20
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?+6
The legislation directly addresses the economic and workforce impacts of substance use disorders through targeted grants and treatment support.
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+5
Grant funds support outpatient substance use disorder treatment and mental health services for program participants.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
The program provides essential supportive services and job training to individuals with barriers to employment and low-income workers.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill authorizes new federal appropriations totaling millions of dollars annually from fiscal year 2027 through 2032.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Affected Workers: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(B)(i) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides services and activities to workers, including dislocated workers and individuals with barriers to employment, who are directly or indirectly affected by a substance use disorder. This is positive because it offers targeted assistance to individuals struggling with the economic and personal fallout of the substance use crisis.
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Career Transition Opportunities: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(B)(ii) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, helps workers transition into occupations that support individuals struggling with substance use disorders, such as treatment, peer recovery support, and mental health care. This is positive because it equips workers with new skills for high-demand jobs while strengthening the workforce available to combat the crisis.
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Comprehensive Supportive Services: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(C)(ii) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides supportive services like health services, mental health services, and outpatient substance use disorder treatment to assist participants in maintaining employment and recovery. This is positive because it addresses the holistic needs of individuals, helping them stay employed and healthy for at least 12 months.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Spending Limits on Direct Support: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(D)(ii) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, prohibits a participating partnership from using more than 10 percent of its grant funds to provide supportive services to program participants. This could be considered a negative burden because it restricts the amount of financial aid available for critical supportive needs like treatment and counseling.
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Administrative Cost Restrictions on Partnerships: Section 2, adding subsection (e)(4)(D)(i) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, caps the administrative costs of a participating partnership at 10 percent of the received grant funds. This might be seen as a negative constraint if local organizations struggle to cover the necessary operational and overhead costs required to effectively run these complex programs.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For People With Disabilities+3Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Students+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Opioid Crisis Response+6Improves Mental Health Access+5Improves Healthcare Access+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+4Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2Reduces Government Spending-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3Reduces Homelessness+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- 9/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.