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ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED 1

AN ACT

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To mobilize the human and financial resources of the Nation to combat poverty in the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Economic Opportunity Act of 1964."

FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSE

SEC. 2. Although the economic well-being and prosperity of the United States have progressed to a level surpassing any achieved in world history, and although these benefits are widely shared throughout the Nation, poverty continues to be the lot of a substantial number of our people. The United States can acheive its full economic and social potential as a nation only if every individual has the opportunity to contribute to the full extent of his capabilities and to participate in the workings of our society. It 42 USC is therefore, the policy of the United States to eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this Nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity. It is the purpose of this Act to strengthen, supplement, and coordinate efforts in furtherance of that policy.

It is the sense of the Congress that it is highly desirable to employ the resources of the private sector of the economy of the United States in all such efforts to further the policy of this Act.

TITLE I-WORK TRAINING AND WORK-STUDY

PROGRAMS

PART A JOB CORPS

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

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SEC. 101. This part establishes a Job Corps for low-income, disadvantaged young men and women, sets forth standards and procedures for selecting individuals as enrollees in the Job Corps, authorizes the establishment of residential and/or nonresidential centers in which enrollees will participate in intensive programs 42 USC of education, vocational training, work experience, counseling, 2711 and other activities, and prescribes various other powers, duties, and responsibilities incident to the operation and continuing development of the Job Corps. Its purpose is to assist young persons who need and can benefit from an unusually intensive program, operated in a group setting, to become more responsible, employable, and productive citizens; and to do so in a way that contributes, where feasible, to the development of National, State, and

1 Amendments included through December 23, 1967.

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community resources, and to the development and dissemination of techniques for working with the disadvantaged that can be widely utilized by public and private institutions and agencies.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JOB CORPS

SEC. 102 There is hereby established within the Office of Eco

42 USC nomic Opportunity a "Job Corps".

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INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR THE JOB CORPS

SEC. 103. To become an enrollee in the Job Corps, a young man or woman must be a person who—

(1) is a permanent resident of the United States who has attained age fourteen but not attained age twenty-two at the time of enrollment;

(2) is a low-income individual or member of a low-income family who requires additional education, training, or intensive counseling and related assistance in order to secure and hold meaningful employment, participate successfully in regular schoolwork, qualify for other training programs suitable to his needs, or satisfy Armed Forces requirements;

(3) is currently living in an environment so characterized by cultural deprivation, a disruptive homelife, or other disorienting conditions as to substantially impair his prospects for successful participation in any other program providing needed training, education, or assistance;

(4) is determined, after careful screening as provided for in sections 104 and 105, to have the present capabilities and aspirations needed to complete and secure the full benefit of the program authorized in this part, and to be free of medical and behavioral problems so serious that he could not or would not be able to adjust to the standards of conduct and discipline or pattern of work and training which that program involves; and

(5) meets such other standards for enrollment as the Director may prescribe (including special standards for the enrollment on a residential basis of 14 and 15 year olds) and agrees to comply with all applicable Job Corps rules and regulations.

SCREENING AND SELECTION OF APPLICANTS GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 104. (a) The Director shall prescribe necessary rules for the screening and selection of applicants for enrollment in the Job Corps. To the extent practicable, these rules shall be implemented through arrangements which make use of agencies and organizations such as community action agencies, public employ42 USC ment offices, professional groups, and labor organizations. The rules shall establish specific standards and procedures for conducting screening and selection activities; shall encourage recruitment through agencies and individuals having contact with youths over substantial periods of time and able, accordingly,

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