# Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act of 2021: Plain Language Summary

This bill creates a federal grant program to hire and train people for contact tracing and pandemic response jobs. Contact tracing is the work of tracking down people who've been exposed to COVID-19 and notifying them so they can get tested or quarantine. The bill also covers other pandemic-related work like cleaning, disinfection, and helping people deal with the economic fallout from the pandemic. Essentially, the federal government would give money to states, territories, tribal nations, and local governments to recruit, train, and employ workers for these positions.

The money would be distributed based on several factors: first, how many contact tracing jobs each area needs; second, which areas have the highest unemployment rates; third, which regions have been hit hardest by COVID-19; and fourth, which areas are preparing for potential surges. The bill prioritizes reaching underserved communities, including low-income populations, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural areas. States receiving grants must pass at least 40 percent of the money to local governments within 30 days, and they can use up to 5 percent to partner with community organizations for outreach and education about these job opportunities.

The bill specifically targets people who've been hit hard by the pandemic—those who lost jobs, became self-employed and lost income, or were furloughed. It also aims to help people transition out of these temporary pandemic jobs by providing assistance with finding new employment or pursuing education and training in related fields like public health. The application process is designed to move quickly, with the Department of Labor issuing requirements within 10 days of the bill becoming law and awarding grants within about 60 days total.

Jobs to Fight COVID–19 Act of 2021

Morelle, Joseph D.

Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants to states and other governmental and native American entities to (1) support the recruitment, placement, and training of&#8212;and provide employment to&#8212;certain individuals seeking employment in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) contact tracing and pandemic response positions; and (2) assist with the transition to new employment or education and training of these individuals in preparation for and upon termination of such employment. The employees must be paid at least the required prevailing wage and fringe benefit rates. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments, must establish and implement a national evidence-based system for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, surveillance, containment, and mitigation. The CDC shall also award grants or contracts to these entities for such activities and to public entities to implement multilingual and culturally appropriate COVID-19 awareness campaigns.