Labor Department removes affirmative outreach rule for workforce programs

The Labor Department has finalized a rule that rescinds a 2016 requirement forcing recipients of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I funds to conduct affirmative outreach. Under the old rule, organizations receiving federal money for job training had to take reasonable steps to proactively reach out to specific demographic groups, including people with disabilities, different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those with limited English proficiency.

Why it matters: This action shifts the responsibility for proactive recruitment away from a federal compliance checklist and back to individual state or local workforce agencies. For organizations that were spending resources specifically to meet this regulatory requirement, the burden of proof has changed from demonstrating active outreach to ensuring they are not actively discriminating against applicants.

Who it affects

• State and local workforce development boards receiving WIOA Title I funds

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This information is based on a final rule published by the Labor Department in the Federal Register; you should check the full document for specific regulatory text before making compliance decisions.

Agency: Labor Department,
Source: Federal Register — read the official document