P.L. 93–618, Approved January 3, 1975 (88 Stat. 1978)

Trade Act of 1974

* * * * * * *

SEC. 221. [19 U.S.C. 2271] PETITIONS.

(a)(1) A petition for certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance for a group of workers under this subchapter may be filed simultaneously with the Secretary and with the Governor of the State in which such workers’ firm or subdivision is located by any of the following:

(A) The group of workers (including workers in an agricultural firm or subdivision of any agricultural firm).

(B) The certified or recognized union or other duly authorized representative of such workers.

(C) Employers of such workers, one-stop operators or one-stop partners (as defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801)), including State employment security agencies, or the State dislocated worker unit established under title I of such Act, on behalf of such workers.

(2) Upon receipt of a petition filed under paragraph (1), the Governor shall—

(A) ensure that rapid response assistance and appropriate core and intensive services (as described in section 134 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864)) authorized under other Federal laws are made available to the workers covered by the petition to the extent authorized under such laws; and

(B) assist the Secretary in the review of the petition by verifying such information and providing such other assistance as the Secretary may request.

(3) Upon receipt of the petition, the Secretary shall promptly publish notice in the Federal Register that the Secretary has received the petition and initiated an investigation.

(b) If the petitioner, or any other person found by the Secretary to have a substantial interest in the proceedings, submits not later than 10 days after the date of the Secretary’s publication under subsection (a) a request for a hearing, the Secretary shall provide for a public hearing and afford such interested persons an opportunity to be present, to produce evidence, and to be heard.

SEC. 222. [19 U.S.C. 2272] GROUP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

(a) In General.—A group of workers (including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm) shall be certified by the Secretary as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under this chapter pursuant to a petition filed under section 221 if the Secretary determines that—

(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers’ firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and

(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm or subdivision have decreased absolutely;

(ii) imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have increased; and

(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii) contributed importantly to such workers’ separation or threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or production of such firm or subdivision; or

(B)(i) there has been a shift in production by such workers’ firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or directly competitive with articles which are produced by such firm or subdivision; and

(ii)(I) the country to which the workers’ firm has shifted production of the articles is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States;

(II) the country to which the workers’ firm has shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; or

(III) there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with articles which are or were produced by such firm or subdivision.

(b) Adversely Affected Secondary Workers.—A group of workers (including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm) shall be certified by the Secretary as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance benefits under this chapter pursuant to a petition filed under section 221 if the Secretary determines that—

(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in the workers’ firm or an appropriate subdivision of the firm have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2) the workers’ firm (or subdivision) is a supplier or downstream producer to a firm (or subdivision) that employed a group of workers who received a certification of eligibility under subsection (a), and such supply or production is related to the article that was the basis for such certification (as defined in subsection (c) (3) and (4)); and

(3) either—

(A) the workers’ firm is a supplier and the component parts it supplied to the firm (or subdivision) described in paragraph (2) accounted for at least 20 percent of the production or sales of the workers’ firm; or

(B) a loss of business by the workers’ firm with the firm (or subdivision) described in paragraph (2) contributed importantly to the workers’ separation or threat of separation determined under paragraph (1).

(1) The term “contributed importantly” means a cause which is important but not necessarily more important than any other cause.

(2)(A) Any firm, or appropriate subdivision of a firm, that engages in exploration or drilling for oil or natural gas shall be considered to be a firm producing oil or natural gas.

(B) Any firm, or appropriate subdivision of a firm, that engages in exploration or drilling for oil or natural gas, or otherwise produces oil or natural gas, shall be considered to be producing articles directly competitive with imports of oil and with imports of natural gas.

(3) Downstream producer.—The term “downstream producer” means a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes for a firm or subdivision, including a firm that performs final assembly or finishing, directly for another firm (or subdivision), for articles that were the basis for a certification of eligibility under subsection (a) of a group of workers employed by such other firm, if the certification of eligibility under subsection (a) is based on an increase in imports from, or a shift in production to, Canada or Mexico.

(4) Supplier.—The term “supplier” means a firm that produces and supplies directly to another firm (or subdivision) component parts for articles that were the basis for a certification of eligibility under subsection (a) of a group of workers employed by such other firm.

SEC. 223. [19 U.S.C. 2273] DETERMINATIONS BY SECRETARY OF LABOR.

(a) As soon as possible after the date on which a petition is filed under section 221, but in any event not later than 40 days after that date, the Secretary shall determine whether the petitioning group meets the requirements of section 222 and shall issue a certification of eligibility to apply for assistance under this subchapter covering workers in any group which meets such requirements. Each certification shall specify the date on which the total or partial separation began or threatened to begin.

(b) A certification under this section shall not apply to any worker whose last total or partial separation from the firm or appropriate subdivision of the firm before his application under section 231 occurred—

(1) more than one year before the date of the petition on which such certification was granted, or

(2) more than 6 months before the effective date of this chapter.

(c) Upon reaching his determination on a petition, the Secretary shall promptly publish a summary of the determination in the Federal Register together with his reasons for making such determination.

(d) Whenever the Secretary determines, with respect to any certification of eligibility of the workers of a firm or subdivision of the firm, that total or partial separations from such firm or subdivision are no longer attributable to the conditions specified in section 222, he shall terminate such certification and promptly have notice of such termination published in the Federal Register together with his reasons for making such determination. Such termination shall apply only with respect to total or partial separations occurring after the termination date specified by the Secretary.

SEC. 224. [19 U.S.C. 2274] STUDY BY SECRETARY OF LABOR WHEN INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION BEGINS INVESTIGATION.

(a) Whenever the International Trade Commission (hereafter referred to in this chapter as the “Commission”) begins an investigation under section 202 with respect to an industry, the Commission shall immediately notify the Secretary of such investigation, and the Secretary shall immediately begin a study of—

(1) the number of workers in the domestic industry producing the like or directly competitive article who have been or are likely to be certified as eligible for adjustment assistance, and

(2) the extent to which the adjustment of such workers to the import competition may be facilitated through the use of existing programs.

(b) The report of the Secretary of the study under subsection (a) shall be made to the President not later than 15 days after the day on which the Commission makes its report under section 202(f). Upon making his report to the President, the Secretary shall also promptly make it public (with the exception of information which the Secretary determines to be confidential) and shall have a summary of it published in the Federal Register.

SEC. 225. [19 U.S.C. 2275] BENEFIT INFORMATION TO WORKERS.

(a) The Secretary shall provide full information to workers about the benefit allowances, training, and other employment services available under this subchapter and about the petition and application procedures, and the appropriate filing dates, for such allowances, training and services. The Secretary shall provide whatever assistance is necessary to enable groups of workers to prepare petitions or applications for program benefits. The Secretary shall make every effort to insure that cooperating State agencies fully comply with the agreements entered into under section 239(a) and shall periodically review such compliance. The Secretary shall inform the State Board for Vocational Education or equivalent agency and other public or private agencies, institutions, and employers, as appropriate, of each certification issued under section 223 and of projections, if available, of the needs for training under section 236 as a result of such certification.

(b)(1) The Secretary shall provide written notice through the mail of the benefits available under this subchapter to each worker whom the Secretary has reason to believe is covered by a certification made under subchapter A of this chapter—

(A) at the time such certification is made, if the worker was partially or totally separated from the adversely affected employment before such certification, or

(B) at the time of the total or partial separation of the worker from the adversely affected employment, if subparagraph (A) does not apply.

(2) The Secretary shall publish notice of the benefits available under this chapter to workers covered by each certification made under subchapter A in newspapers of general circulation in the areas in which such workers reside.

SEC. 231. [19 U.S.C. 2291] QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKERS.

(a) Payment of a trade readjustment allowance shall be made to an adversely affected worker covered by a certification under subchapter A who files an application for such allowance for any week of unemployment which begins more than 60 days after the date on which the petition that resulted in such certification was filed under section 221, if the following conditions are met:

(1) Such worker’s total or partial separation before his application under this chapter occurred—

(A) on or after the date, as specified in the certification under which he is covered, on which total or partial separation began or threatened to begin in the adversely affected employment,

(B) before the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date on which the determination under section 223 was made, and

(2) Such worker had, in the 52-week period ending with the week in which such total or partial separation occurred, at least 26 weeks of employment at wages of $30 or more a week in adversely affected employment with a single firm or subdivision of a firm, or, if data with respect to weeks of employment with a firm are not available, equivalent amounts of employment computed under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. For the purposes of this paragraph, any week in which such worker—

(A) is on employer-authorized leave for purposes of vacation, sickness, injury, maternity, or inactive duty or active duty military service for training,

(B) does not work because of a disability that is compensable under a workmen’s compensation law or plan of a State or the United States,

(C) had his employment interrupted in order to serve as a full-time representative of a labor organization in such firm or subdivision, or

(D) is on call-up for purposes of active duty in a reserve status in the Armed Forces of the United States, provided such active duty is “Federal service” as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8521(a)(1),

shall be treated as a week of employment at wages of $30 or more, but not more than 7 weeks, in case of weeks described in subparagraph (A) or (C), or both (and not more than 26 weeks, in the case of weeks described in subparagraph (B) or (D), may be treated as weeks of employment under this sentence.

(3) Such worker—

(A) was entitled to (or would be entitled to if he applied therefor) unemployment insurance for a week within the benefit period (i) in which such total or partial separation took place, or (ii) which began (or would have begun) by reason of the filing of a claim for unemployment insurance by such worker after such total or partial separation;

(B) has exhausted all rights to any unemployment insurance, except additional compensation that is funded by a State and is not reimbursed from any Federal funds, to which he was entitled (or would be entitled if he applied therefor); and

(4) Such worker, with respect to such week of unemployment, would not be disqualified for extended compensation payable under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 by reason of the work acceptance and job search requirements in section 202(a)(3) of such Act.

(5) Such worker—

(A)(i) is enrolled in a training program approved by the Secretary under section 236(a), and

(ii) the enrollment required under clause (i) occurs no later than the latest of—

(I) the last day of the 16th week after the worker’s most recent total separation from adversely affected employment which meets the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2),

(II) the last day of the 8th week after the week in which the Secretary issues a certification covering the worker,

(III) 45 days after the later of the dates specified in subclause (I) or (II), if the Secretary determines there are extenuating circumstances that justify an extension in the enrollment period, or

(IV) the last day of a period determined by the Secretary to be approved for enrollment after the termination of a waiver issued pursuant to subsection (c),

(B) has, after the date on which the worker became totally separated, or partially separated, from the adversely affected employment, completed a training program approved by the Secretary under section 236(a), or

(b)(1) If—

(A) the Secretary determines that—

(i) the adversely affected worker—

(I) has failed to begin participation in the training program the enrollment in which meets the requirement of subsection (a)(5), or

(II) has ceased to participate in such training program before completing such training program, and

(ii) there is no justifiable cause for such failure or cessation, or

(B) the certification made with respect to such worker under subsection (c)(1) is revoked under subsection (c)(2),

no trade readjustment allowance may be paid to the adversely affected worker under this part for the week in which such failure, cessation, or revocation occurred, or any succeeding week, until the adversely affected worker begins or resumes participation in a training program approved under section 236(a).

(2) The provisions of subsection (a)(5) and paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any week of unemployment which begins—

(A) after the date that is 60 days after the date on which the petition that results in the certification that covers the worker is filed under section 221, and

(B) before the first week following the week in which such certification is made under subchapter (A).

(1) Issuance of waivers.—The Secretary may issue a written statement to an adversely affected worker waiving the requirement to be enrolled in training described in subsection (a)(5)(A) of this section if the Secretary determines that it is not feasible or appropriate for the worker, because of 1 or more of the following reasons:

(A) Recall.—The worker has been notified that the worker will be recalled by the firm from which the separation occurred.

(B) Marketable skills.—The worker possesses marketable skills for suitable employment (as determined pursuant to an assessment of the worker, which may include the profiling system under section 303(j) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 503(j)), carried out in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary) and there is a reasonable expectation of employment at equivalent wages in the foreseeable future.

(i) old-age insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) (except for application therefor); or

(ii) a private pension sponsored by an employer or labor organization.

(D) Health.—The worker is unable to participate in training due to the health of the worker, except that a waiver under this subparagraph shall not be construed to exempt a worker from requirements relating to the availability for work, active search for work, or refusal to accept work under Federal or State unemployment compensation laws.

(E) Enrollment unavailable.—The first available enrollment date for the approved training of the worker is within 60 days after the date of the determination made under this paragraph, or, if later, there are extenuating circumstances for the delay in enrollment, as determined pursuant to guidelines issued by the Secretary.

(F) Training not available.—Training approved by the Secretary is not reasonably available to the worker from either governmental agencies or private sources (which may include area vocational education schools, as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 (20 U.S.C. 2302), and employers), no training that is suitable for the worker is available at a reasonable cost, or no training funds are available.

(2) Duration of waivers.—

(A) In general.—A waiver issued under paragraph (1) shall be effective for not more than 6 months after the date on which the waiver is issued, unless the Secretary determines otherwise.

(B) Revocation.—The Secretary shall revoke a waiver issued under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the basis of a waiver is no longer applicable to the worker and shall notify the worker in writing of the revocation.

(3) Agreements under section 239.—

(A) Issuance by cooperating states.—Pursuant to an agreement under section 239, the Secretary may authorize a cooperating State to issue waivers as described in paragraph (1).

(B) Submission of statements.—An agreement under section 239 shall include a requirement that the cooperating State submit to the Secretary the written statements provided under paragraph (1) and a statement of the reasons for the waiver.

SEC. 232. [19 U.S.C. 2292] WEEKLY AMOUNTS.

(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the trade readjustment allowance payable to an adversely affected worker for a week of total unemployment shall be an amount equal to the most recent weekly benefit amount of the unemployment insurance payable to the worker for a week of total unemployment preceding the worker’s first exhaustion of unemployment insurance (as determined for purposes of section 231(a)(3)(B)) reduced (but not below zero) by—

(1) any training allowance deductible under subsection (c); and

(2) income that is deductible from unemployment insurance under the disqualifying income provisions of the applicable State law or Federal unemployment insurance law.

(b) Any adversely affected worker who is entitled to trade readjustment allowances and who is undergoing training approved by the Secretary shall receive for each week in which he is undergoing any such training, a trade readjustment allowance in an amount (computed for such week) equal to the amount computed under subsection (a) or (if greater) the amount of any weekly allowance for such training to which he would be entitled under any other Federal law for the training of workers, if he applied for such allowance. Such trade readjustment allowance shall be paid in lieu of any training allowance to which the worker would be entitled under such other Federal law.

(c) If a training allowance under any Federal law other than this Act is paid to an adversely affected worker for any week of unemployment with respect to which he would be entitled (determined without regard to any disqualification) to a trade readjustment allowance if he applied for such allowance, each such week shall be deducted from the total number of weeks of trade readjustment allowance otherwise payable to him under section 233(a) when he applies for a trade readjustment allowance and is determined to be entitled to such allowance. If such training allowance paid to such worker for any week of unemployment is less than the amount of the trade readjustment allowance to which he would be entitled if he applied for such allowance, he shall receive, when he applies for a trade readjustment allowance and is determined to be entitled to such allowance, a trade readjustment allowance for such week equal to such difference.

SEC. 233. [19 U.S.C. 2293] LIMITATIONS ON TRADE READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES.

(a)(1) The maximum amount of trade readjustment allowances payable with respect to the period covered by any certification to an adversely affected worker shall be the amount which is the product of 52 multiplied by the trade readjustment allowance payable to the worker for a week of total unemployment (as determined under section 232(a)), but such product shall be reduced by the total sum of the unemployment insurance to which the worker was entitled (or would have been entitled if he had applied therefor) in the worker’s first benefit period described in section 231(a)(3)(A).

(2) A trade readjustment allowance shall not be paid for any week occurring after the close of the 104-week period (or, in the case of an adversely affected worker who requires a program of remedial education (as described in section 236(a)(5)(D)) in order to complete training approved for the worker under section 236, the 130-week period) that begins with the first week following the week in which the adversely affected worker was most recently totally separated from adversely affected employment—

(A) within the period which is described in section 231(a)(1), and

(B) with respect to which the worker meets the requirements of section 231(a)(2).

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in order to assist the adversely affected worker to complete training approved for him under section 236, and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, payments may be made as trade readjustment allowances for up to 52 additional weeks in the 52-week period that—

(A) follows the last week of entitlement to trade readjustment allowances otherwise payable under this chapter; or

(B) begins with the first week of such training, if such training begins after the last week described in subparagraph (A).

Payments for such additional weeks may be made only for weeks in such 26-week period during which the individual is participating in such training.

(b) A trade readjustment allowance may not be paid for an additional week specified in subsection (a)(3) if the adversely affected worker who would receive such allowance did not make a bona fide application to a training program approved by the Secretary under section 236 within 210 days after the date of the worker’s first certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance issued by the Secretary, or, if later, within 210 days after the date of the worker’s total or partial separation referred to in section 231(a)(1).

(c) Amounts payable to an adversely affected worker under this part shall be subject to such adjustment on a week-to-week basis as may be required by section 232(b).

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or other Federal law, if the benefit year of a worker ends within an extended benefit period, the number of weeks of extended benefits that such worker would, but for this subsection, be entitled to in that extended benefit period shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the number of weeks for which the worker was entitled, during such benefit year, to trade readjustment allowances under this part. For purposes of this paragraph, the terms “benefit year” and “extended benefit period” shall have the same respective meanings given to them in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970.

(e) No trade readjustment allowance shall be paid to a worker under this part for any week during which the worker is receiving on-the-job training.

(f) For purposes of this chapter, a worker shall be treated as participating in training during any week which is part of a break in training that does not exceed 30 days if—

(1) the worker was participating in a training program approved under section 236(a) before the beginning of such break in training, and

(2) the break is provided under such training program.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in order to assist an adversely affected worker to complete training approved for the worker under section 236 which includes a program of remedial education (as described in section 236(a)(5)(D)), and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, payments may be made as trade readjustment allowances for up to 26 additional weeks in the 26-week period that follows the last week of entitlement to trade readjustment allowances otherwise payable under this chapter.

SEC. 234. [19 U.S.C. 2294] APPLICATION OF STATE LAWS.

Except where inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter and subject to such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the availability and disqualification provisions of the State law—

(1) under which an adversely affected worker is entitled to unemployment insurance (whether or not he has filed a claim for such insurance), or

(2) if he is not so entitled to unemployment insurance, of the State in which he was totally or partially separated,

shall apply to any such worker who files a claim for trade readjustment allowances. The State law so determined with respect to a separation of a worker shall remain applicable, for purposes of the preceding sentence, with respect to such separation until such worker becomes entitled to unemployment insurance under another State law (whether or not he has filed a claim for such insurance).

Part II—Training, Other Employment Services, and Allowances

SEC. 235. [19 U.S.C. 2295] EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.

The Secretary shall make every reasonable effort to secure for adversely affected workers covered by a certification under subchapter A of this chapter counseling, testing, and placement services, and supportive and other services, provided for under any other Federal law, including the services provided through one-stop delivery systems described in section 134(c) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864(c)). The Secretary shall, whenever appropriate, procure such services through agreements with the States.

SEC. 236. [19 U.S.C. 2296] TRAINING.

(a)(1) If the Secretary determines that—

(A) there is no suitable employment (which may include technical and professional employment) available for an adversely affected worker,

(B) the worker would benefit from appropriate training,

(D) training approved by the Secretary is reasonably available to the worker from either governmental agencies or private sources (which may include area vocational education schools, as defined in section 195(2) of the Vocational Education Act of 1963, and employers)^[331]

(E) the worker is qualified to undertake and complete such training, and

(F) such training is suitable for the worker and available at a reasonable cost,

the Secretary shall approve such training for the worker. Upon such approval, the worker shall be entitled to have payment of the costs of such training (subject to the limitations imposed by this section) paid on his behalf by the Secretary directly or through a voucher system. Insofar as possible, the Secretary shall provide or assure the provision of such training on the job, which shall include related education necessary for the acquisition of skills needed for a position within a particular occupation.

(2)(A) The total amount of payments that may be made under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year shall not exceed $220,000,000.

(B) If, during any fiscal year, the Secretary estimates that the amount of funds necessary to pay the costs of training approved under this section will exceed the amount of the limitation imposed under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall decide how the portion of such limitation that has not been expended at the time of such estimate is to be apportioned among the States for the remainder of such fiscal year.

(3) For purposes of applying paragraph (1)(C), a reasonable expectation of employment does not require that employment opportunities for a worker be available, or offered, immediately upon the completion of training approved under this paragraph (1).

(4)(A) If the costs of training an adversely affected worker are paid by the Secretary under paragraph (1), no other payment for such costs may be made under any other provision of Federal law.

(B) No payment may be made under paragraph (1) of the costs of training an adversely affected worker if such costs—

(i) have already been paid under any other provision of Federal law, or

(ii) are reimbursable under any other provision of Federal law and a portion of such costs have already been paid under such other provision of Federal law.

(C) The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to, or take into account, any funds provided under any other provision of Federal law which are used for any purpose other than the direct payment of the costs incurred in training a particular adversely affected worker, even if such use has the effect of indirectly paying or reducing any portion of the costs involved in training the adversely affected worker.

(5) The training programs that may be approved under paragraph (1) include, but are not limited to—

(A) employer-based training, including—

(i) on-the-job training, and

(ii) customized training,

(B) any training program provided by a State pursuant to (29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,

(D) any program of remedial education,

(E) any training program (other than a training program described in paragraph (7)) for which all, or any portion, of the costs of training the worker are paid—

(i) under any Federal or State program other than this chapter, or

(ii) from any source other than this section, and

(F) any other training program approved by the Secretary.

(6)(A) The Secretary is not required under paragraph (1) to pay the costs of any training approved under paragraph (1) to the extent that such costs are paid—

(i) under any Federal or State program other than this chapter, or

(ii) from any source other than this section.

(B) Before approving any training to which subparagraph (A) may apply, the Secretary may require that the adversely affected worker enter into an agreement with the Secretary under which the Secretary will not be required to pay under this section the portion of the costs of such training that the worker has reason to believe will be paid under the program, or by the source, described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).

(7) The Secretary shall not approve a training program if—

(A) all or a portion of the costs of such training program are paid under any nongovernmental plan or program,

(B) the adversely affected worker has a right to obtain training or funds for training under such plan or program, and

(C) such plan or program requires the worker to reimburse the plan or program from funds provided under this chapter, or from wages paid under such training program, for any portion of the costs of such training program paid under the plan or program.

(8) The Secretary may approve training for any adversely affected worker who is a member of a group certified under subchapter A at any time after the date on which the group is certified under subchapter A, without regard to whether such worker has exhausted all rights to any unemployment insurance to which the worker is entitled.

(9) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which set forth the criteria under each of the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) that will be used as the basis for making determinations under paragraph (1).

(b) The Secretary may, where appropriate, authorize supplemental assistance necessary to defray reasonable transportation and subsistence expenses for separate maintenance when training is provided in facilities which are not within commuting distance of a worker’s regular place of residence. The Secretary may not authorize—

(1) payments for subsistence that exceed whichever is the lesser of (A) the actual per diem expenses for subsistence, or (B) payments at 50 percent of the prevailing per diem allowance rate authorized under the Federal travel regulations, or

(2) payments for travel expenses exceeding the prevailing mileage rate authorized under the Federal travel regulations.

(c) The Secretary shall pay the costs of any on-the-job training of an adversely affected worker that is approved under subsection (a)(1) in equal monthly installments, but the Secretary may pay such costs, notwithstanding any other provision of this section, only if—

(1) no currently employed worker is displaced by such adversely affected worker (including partial displacement such as a reduction in the hours of nonovertime work, wages, or employment benefits),

(2) such training does not impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements,

(3) in the case of training which would be inconsistent with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, the written concurrence of the labor organization concerned has been obtained,

(4) no other individual is on layoff from the same, or any substantially equivalent, job for which such adversely affected worker is being trained,

(5) the employer has not terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise reduced the workforce of the employer with the intention of filling the vacancy so created by hiring such adversely affected worker,

(6) the job for which such adversely affected worker is being trained is not being created in a promotional line that will infringe in any way upon the promotional opportunities of currently employed individuals,

(7) such training is not for the same occupation from which the worker was separated and with respect to which such worker’s group was certified pursuant to section 222,

(8) the employer is provided reimbursement of not more than 50 percent of the wage rate of the participant, for the cost of providing the training and additional supervision related to the training,

(9) the employer has not received payment under subsection (a)(1) with respect to any other on-the-job training provided by such employer which failed to meet the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), and

(10) the employer has not taken, at any time, any action which violated the terms of any certification described in paragraph (8) made by such employer with respect to any other on-the-job training provided by such employer for which the Secretary has made a payment under subsection (a)(1).

(d) A worker may not be determined to be ineligible or disqualified for unemployment insurance or program benefits under this subchapter because the individual is in training approved under subsection (a), because of leaving work which is not suitable employment to enter such training, or because of the application to any such week in training of provisions of State law or Federal unemployment insurance law relating to availability for work, active search for work, or refusal to accept work. The Secretary shall submit to the Congress a quarterly report regarding the amount of funds expended during the quarter concerned to provide training under subsection (a) and the anticipated demand for such funds for any remaining quarters in the fiscal year concerned.

(e) For purposes of this section the term “suitable employment” means, with respect to a worker, work of a substantially equal or higher skill level than the worker’s past adversely affected employment, and wages for such work at not less than 80 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage.

(f) For purposes of this section, the term “customized training” means training that is—

(1) designed to meet the special requirements of an employer or group of employers;

(2) conducted with a commitment by the employer or group of employers to employ an individual upon successful completion of the training; and

(3) for which the employer pays for a significant portion (but in no case less than 50 percent) of the cost of such training, as determined by the Secretary.

SEC. 237. [19 U.S.C. 2297] JOB SEARCH ALLOWANCES.

(a) Job Search Allowance Authorized.—

(1) In general.—An adversely affected worker covered by a certification issued under subchapter A of this chapter may file an application with the Secretary for payment of a job search allowance.

(2) Approval of applications.—The Secretary may grant an allowance pursuant to an application filed under paragraph (1) when all of the following apply:

(A) Assist adversely affected worker.—The allowance is paid to assist an adversely affected worker who has been totally separated in securing a job within the United States.

(B) Local employment not available.—The Secretary determines that the worker cannot reasonably be expected to secure suitable employment in the commuting area in which the worker resides.

(i) the later of—

(I) the 365th day after the date of the certification under which the worker is certified as eligible; or

(II) the 365th day after the date of the worker’s last total separation; or

(ii) the date that is the 182d day after the date on which the worker concluded training, unless the worker received a waiver under section 231(c).

(b) Amount of Allowance.—

(1) In general.—An allowance granted under subsection (a) shall provide reimbursement to the worker of 90 percent of the cost of necessary job search expenses as prescribed by the Secretary in regulations.

(2) Maximum allowance.—Reimbursement under this subsection may not exceed $1,250 for any worker.

(3) Allowance for subsistence and transportation.—Reimbursement under this subsection may not be made for subsistence and transportation expenses at levels exceeding those allowable under section 236(b) (1) and (2).

(c) Exception.—Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Secretary shall reimburse any adversely affected worker for necessary expenses incurred by the worker in participating in a job search program approved by the Secretary.

SEC. 238. [19 U.S.C. 2298] RELOCATION ALLOWANCES.

(a) Relocation Allowance Authorized.—

(1) In general.—Any adversely affected worker covered by a certification issued under subchapter A of this chapter may file an application for a relocation allowance with the Secretary, and the Secretary may grant the relocation allowance, subject to the terms and conditions of this section.

(2) Conditions for granting allowance.—A relocation allowance may be granted if all of the following terms and conditions are met:

(A) Assist an adversely affected worker.—The relocation allowance will assist an adversely affected worker in relocating within the United States.

(B) Local employment not available.—The Secretary determines that the worker cannot reasonably be expected to secure suitable employment in the commuting area in which the worker resides.

(D) Suitable employment obtained.—The worker—

(i) has obtained suitable employment affording a reasonable expectation of long-term duration in the area in which the worker wishes to relocate; or

(ii) has obtained a bona fide offer of such employment.

(E) Application.—The worker filed an application with the Secretary before—

(i) the later of—

(I) the 425th day after the date of the certification under subchapter A of this chapter; or

(II) the 425th day after the date of the worker’s last total separation; or

(ii) the date that is the 182d day after the date on which the worker concluded training, unless the worker received a waiver under section 231(c).

(b) Amount of Allowance.—The relocation allowance granted to a worker under subsection (a) includes—

(1) 90 percent of the reasonable and necessary expenses (including, but not limited to, subsistence and transportation expenses at levels not exceeding those allowable under section 236(b) (1) and (2) specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary) incurred in transporting the worker, the worker’s family, and household effects; and

(2) a lump sum equivalent to 3 times the worker’s average weekly wage, up to a maximum payment of $1,250.

(1) the relocation occurs within 182 days after the filing of the application for relocation assistance; or

(2) the relocation occurs within 182 days after the conclusion of training, if the worker entered a training program approved by the Secretary under section 236(b) (1) and (2).

Subchapter C—General Provisions

SEC. 239. [19 U.S.C. 2311] AGREEMENTS WITH STATES.

(a) The Secretary is authorized on behalf of the United States to enter into an agreement with any State, or with any State agency (referred to in this subchapter as “cooperating States” and “cooperating States agencies” respectively). Under such an agreement, the cooperating State agency (1) as agent of the United States, will receive applications for, and will provide, payments on the basis provided in this chapter, (2) where appropriate, but in accordance with subsection (f), will afford adversely affected workers testing, counseling, referral to training and job search programs, and placement services, (3) will make any certifications required under section 231(c)(2), and (4) will otherwise cooperate with the Secretary and with other State and Federal agencies in providing payments and services under this chapter.

(b) Each agreement under this subchapter shall provide the terms and conditions upon which the agreement may be amended, suspended, or terminated.

(c) Each agreement under this subchapter shall provide that unemployment insurance otherwise payable to any adversely affected worker will not be denied or reduced for any week by reason of any right to payments under this chapter.

(d) A determination by a cooperating State agency with respect to entitlement to program benefits under an agreement is subject to review in the same manner and to the same extent as determinations under the applicable State law and only in that manner and to that extent.

(e) Any agreement entered into under this section shall provide for the coordination of the administration of the provisions for employment services, training, and supplemental assistance under sections 235 and 236 of this Act and under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 upon such terms and conditions as are established by the Secretary in consultation with the States and set forth in such agreement. Any agency of the State jointly administering such provisions under such agreement shall be considered to be a cooperating State agency for purposes of this chapter.

(f) Each cooperating State agency shall, in carrying out subsection (a)(2)—

(1) advise each worker who applies for unemployment insurance of the benefits under this chapter and the procedures and deadlines for applying for such benefits,

(2) facilitate the early filing of petitions under section 221 for any workers that the agency considers are likely to be eligible for benefits under this chapter,

(3) advise each adversely affected worker to apply for training under section 236(a) before, or at the same time, the worker applies for trade readjustment allowances under part I of subchapter B, and

(4) as soon as practicable, interview the adversely affected worker regarding suitable training opportunities available to the worker under section 236 and review such opportunities with the worker.

SEC. 240. [19 U.S.C. 2312] ADMINISTRATION ABSENT STATE AGREEMENT.

(a) In any State where there is no agreement in force between a State or its agency under section 239, the Secretary shall arrange under regulations prescribed by him for performance of all necessary functions under subchapter B of this chapter, including provision for a fair hearing for any worker whose application for payments is denied.

(b) A final determination under subsection (a) with respect to entitlement to program benefits under subchapter B of this chapter is subject to review by the courts in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided by section 205(g) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. sec. 405(g)).

SEC. 241. [19 U.S.C. 2313] PAYMENTS TO STATES.

(a) The Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each cooperating State the sums necessary to enable such State as agent of the United States to make payments provided for by this chapter.

(b) All money paid a State under this section shall be used solely for the purposes for which it is paid; and money so paid which is not used for such purposes shall be returned, at the time specified in the agreement under this subchapter, to the Secretary of the Treasury.

(c) Any agreement under this subchapter may require any officer or employee of the State certifying payments or disbursing funds under the agreement or otherwise participating in the performance of the agreement, to give a surety bond to the United States in such amount as the Secretary may deem necessary, and may provide for the payment of the cost of such bond from funds for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

SEC. 242. [19 U.S.C. 2314] LIABILITIES OF CERTIFYING AND DISBURSING OFFICERS.

(a) No person designated by the Secretary, or designated pursuant to an agreement under this subchapter, as a certifying officer, shall, in the absence of gross negligence or intent to defraud the United States, be liable with respect to any payment certified by him under this chapter.

(b) No disbursing officer shall, in the absence of gross negligence or intent to defraud the United States, be liable with respect to any payment by him under this chapter if it was based upon a voucher signed by a certifying officer designated as provided in subsection (a).

SEC. 243. [19 U.S.C. 2315] FRAUD AND RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS.

(a)(1) If a cooperating State agency, the Secretary, or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any person has received any payment under this chapter to which the person was not entitled, including a payment referred to in subsection (b), such person shall be liable to repay such amount to the State agency or the Secretary, as the case may be, except that the State agency or the Secretary may waive such repayment if such agency or the Secretary determines, in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Secretary, that—

(A) the payment was made without fault on the part of such individual, and

(B) requiring such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience.

(2) Unless an overpayment is otherwise recovered, or waived under paragraph (1), the State agency or the Secretary shall recover the overpayment by deductions from any sums payable to such person under this chapter, under any Federal unemployment compensation law administered by the State agency or the Secretary, or under any other Federal law administered by the State agency or the Secretary which provides for the payment of assistance or an allowance with respect to unemployment, and, notwithstanding any other provision of State law or Federal law to the contrary, the Secretary may require the State agency to recover any overpayment under this chapter by deduction from any unemployment insurance payable to such person under the State law, except that no single deduction under this paragraph shall exceed 50 percent of the amount otherwise payable.

(b) If a cooperating State agency, the Secretary, or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that an individual—

(1) knowingly has made, or caused another to make, a false statement or representation of a material fact, or

(2) knowingly has failed, or caused another to fail, to disclose a material fact,

and as a result of such false statement or representation, or of such nondisclosure, such individual has received any payment under this chapter to which the individual was not entitled, such individual shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be ineligible for any further payments under this chapter.

(c) Except for overpayments determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, no repayment may be required, and no deduction may be made, under this section until a determination under subsection (a)(1) by the State agency or the Secretary, as the case may be, has been made, notice of the determination and an opportunity for a fair hearing thereon has been given to the individual concerned, and the determination has become final.

(d) Any amount recovered under this section shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States.

SEC. 244. [19 U.S.C. 2316] PENALTIES.

Whoever makes a false statement of a material fact knowing it to be false, or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact, for the purpose of obtaining or increasing for himself or for any other person any payment authorized to be furnished under this chapter or pursuant to an agreement under section 239 shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

SEC. 245. [19 U.S.C. 2317] AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In general.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Labor, for the period beginning October 1, 2001, and ending December 31, 2007, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, other than subpart D.

(b) Period of Expenditure.—Funds obligated for any fiscal year to carry out activities under sections 235 through 238 may be expended by each State receiving such funds during that fiscal year and the succeeding two fiscal years.

SEC. 246. [19 U.S.C. 2318] DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR ALTERNATIVE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR OLDER WORKERS.

(a) In General.—

(1) Establishment.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002, the Secretary shall establish an alternative trade adjustment assistance program for older workers that provides the benefits described in paragraph (2).

(2) Benefits.—

(A) Payments.—A State shall use the funds provided to the State under section 241 to pay, for a period not to exceed 2 years, to a worker described in paragraph (3)(B), 50 percent of the difference between—

(i) the wages received by the worker from reemployment; and

(ii) the wages received by the worker at the time of separation.

(B) Health insurance.—A worker described in paragraph (3)(B) participating in the program established under paragraph (1) is eligible to receive, for a period not to exceed 2 years, a credit for health insurance costs under section 35 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section 201 of the Trade Act of 2002.

(3) Eligibility.—

(A) Firm eligibility.—

(i) In general.—The Secretary shall provide the opportunity for a group of workers on whose behalf a petition is filed under section 221 to request that the group of workers be certified for the alternative trade adjustment assistance program under this section at the time the petition is filed.

(ii) Criteria.—In determining whether to certify a group of workers as eligible for the alternative trade adjustment assistance program, the Secretary shall consider the following criteria:

(I) Whether a significant number of workers in the workers’ firm are 50 years of age or older.

(II) Whether the workers in the workers’ firm possess skills that are not easily transferable.

(III) The competitive conditions within the workers’ industry.

(iii) Deadline.—The Secretary shall determine whether the workers in the group are eligible for the alternative trade adjustment assistance program by the date specified in section 223(a).

(B) Individual Eligibility.—A worker in the group that the Secretary has certified as eligible for the alternative trade adjustment assistance program may elect to receive benefits under the alternative trade adjustment assistance program if the worker—

(i) is covered by a certification under subchapter A of this chapter;

(ii) obtains reemployment not more than 26 weeks after the date of separation from the adversely affected employment;

(iii) is at least 50 years of age;

(iv) earns not more than $50,000 a year in wages from reemployment;

(v) is employed on a full-time basis as defined by State law in the State in which the worker is employed; and

(vi) does not return to the employment from which the worker was separated.

(4) Total amount of payments.—The payments described in paragraph (2)(A) made to a worker may not exceed $10,000 per worker during the 2-year eligibility period.

(5) Limitation on other benefits.—Except as provided in paragraph (2)(B), if a worker is receiving payments pursuant to the program established under paragraph (1), the worker shall not be eligible to receive any other benefits under this title.

(b) Termination.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), no payments may be made by a State under the program established under subsection (a)(1) after the date that is 5 years after the date on which such program is implemented by the State.

(2) Exception.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a worker receiving payments under the program established under subsection (a)(1) on the termination date described in paragraph (1) shall continue to receive such payments if the worker meets the criteria described in subsection (a)(3)(B).

SEC. 247. [19 U.S.C. 2319] DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this chapter—

(1) The term “adversely affected employment” means employment in a firm or appropriate subdivision of a firm, if workers of such firm or subdivision are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under this chapter.

(2) The term “adversely affected worker” means an individual who, because of lack of work in adversely affected employment—

(A) has been totally or partially separated from such employment, or

(B) has been totally separated from employment with the firm in a subdivision of which such adversely affected employment exists.

(3) [Repealed.^[332]]

(4) The term “average weekly wage” means one-thirteenth of the total wages paid to an individual in the high quarter. For purposes of this computation, the high quarter shall be that quarter in which the individual’s total wages were highest among the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters immediately before the quarter in which occurs the week with respect to which the computation is made. Such week shall be the week in which total separation occurred, or, in cases where partial separation is claimed, an appropriate week, as defined in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

(5) The term “average weekly hours” means the average hours worked by the individual (excluding overtime) in the employment from which he has been or claims to have been separated in the 52 weeks (excluding weeks during which the individual was sick or on vacation) preceding the week specified in the last sentence of paragraph (4).

(6) The term “partial separation” means, with respect to an individual who has not been totally separated, that he has had—

(A) his hours of work reduced to 80 percent or less of his average weekly hours in adversely affected employment, and

(B) his wages reduced to 80 percent or less of his average weekly wage in such adversely affected employment.

(7) [Repealed.^[333]]

(8) The term “State” includes the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and the term “United States” when used in the geographical sense includes such Commonwealth.

(9) The term “State agency” means the agency of the State which administers the State law.

(10) The term “State law” means the unemployment insurance law of the State approved by the Secretary of Labor under section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

(11) The term “total separation” means the layoff or severance of an individual from employment with a firm in which, or in a subdivision of which, adversely affected employment exists.

(12) The term “unemployment insurance” means the unemployment compensation payable to an individual under any State law or Federal unemployment compensation law, including chapter 85 of title 5, United States Code, and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The terms “regular compensation”, “additional compensation”, and “extended compensation” have the same respective meanings that are given them in section 205(2), (3), and (4) of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).

(13) The term “week” means a week as defined in the applicable State law.

(14) The term “week of unemployment” means a week of total, part-total, or partial unemployment as determined under the applicable State law or Federal unemployment insurance law.

(15) The term “benefit period” means, with respect to an individual—

(A) the benefit year and any ensuing period, as determined under applicable State law, during which the individual is eligible for regular compensation, additional compensation, or extended compensation, or

(B) the equivalent to such a benefit year or ensuing period provided for under the applicable Federal unemployment insurance law.

(16) The term “on-the-job training” means training provided by an employer to an individual who is employed by the employer.

(17)(A) The term “job search program” means a job search workshop or job finding club.

(B) The term “job search workshop” means a short (1 to 3 days) seminar designed to provide participants with knowledge that will enable the participants to find jobs. Subjects are not limited to, but should include, labor market information, resume writing, interviewing techniques, and techniques for finding job openings.

(C) The term “job finding club” means a job search workshop which includes a period (1 to 2 weeks) of structured, supervised activity in which participants attempt to obtain jobs.

SEC. 248. [19 U.S.C. 2320] REGULATIONS.

The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

SEC. 249. [19 U.S.C. 2321] SUBPOENA POWER.^[334]

(a) The Secretary may require by subpoena the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence necessary for him to make a determination under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) If a person refuses to obey a subpoena issued under subsection (a), a United States district court within the jurisdiction of which the relevant proceeding under this chapter is conducted may, upon petition by the Secretary, issue an order requiring compliance with such subpoena.

* * * * * * *

[Internal Reference.—SSAct Title IX heading has a footnote referring to P.L. 93-618.]

^[331] As in original; probably should insert a comma.

^[332] P.L. 97-35, §2511(1); 95 Stat. 888.

^[333] P.L. 97-35, §2511(1); 95 Stat. 888.

^[334] P.L. 111–5, §§ 1858(c)(1), (2), 1893, temporarily substituted “Subpoena” for “Subpena” in section header and “subpoena” for “subpena” wherever appearing in text.

Compilation of the Social Security Laws

P.L. 93–618, Approved January 3, 1975 (88 Stat. 1978)

Trade Act of 1974

Part II—Training, Other Employment Services, and Allowances

Subchapter C—General Provisions