WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today proposed rules concerning management of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Reform Act of 2002. A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register lays out changes that would ensure the administration of TAA programs will be more aligned with the employment and training services offered through the nation’s One-Stop service delivery system established by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA).

“These proposed rules are designed to provide trade-affected workers with increased access to services that will help them return to work in growing industries with sustainable employment opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “The changes being proposed will support flexible training options and offer workers a network of opportunities to prepare for new careers.”

The TAA program assists individuals who have become unemployed as a result of increased imports or shifts in production to foreign countries. TAA-certified workers may access a menu of services that include training, income support, relocation allowances, job search allowances, and a health insurance coverage tax credit.

Changes to the TAA regulations proposed in today’s NPRM would incorporate many of the Bush Administration’s reforms to the program making services more available to workers. These include flexible training options, including distance learning, enhanced training provider performance, and an equitable distribution of training funds to states. The proposed changes further integrate the TAA program with the One-Stop delivery system and other employment and training services.

The public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed rules. Comments will be addressed before the final rule is implemented.

To access the proposed rule, please visit http://www.dol.gov/eta/regs/fedreg/proposed/taa.htm. For additional information about the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, please visit www.doleta.gov/tradeact/.