S. 4391 – Investing in Digital Skills Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 4:53 PM UTC

The Investing in Digital Skills Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to make digital literacy and information literacy core objectives of adult education and workforce programs. It adds clear definitions for digital literacy and expands program goals to include digital technology skills. The changes affect federal, state, and local agencies that run adult education, family literacy, and workforce development programs and the adults they serve.

Key Provisions

Adds a definition of “digital literacy skills” by referencing the Museum and Library Services Act.
Updates the purpose clause to explicitly include digital literacy and information literacy as needed for employment and full participation in adult life.
Revises definitions to require development and use of digital technology skills and to include digital‑skill activities alongside family literacy programs.
Introduces a definition of “information literacy” covering the ability to find, evaluate, and use information in various formats.
Expands program objectives to include solving problems and using digital technology at proficiency levels needed for work, parenting, and civic life.
Minor wording change in the financial‑assistance prohibition clause, replacing “title” with “Act.”

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3857)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

May 22, 2024

View full timeline

SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 22, 2024

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3857)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

May 22, 2024

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 4391 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. Susan M. CollinsR-ME · May 22, 2024

Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Investing in Digital Skills Act, a bill that would help strengthen computer skills in the American workforce. This bill, which I am introducing today…

Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Investing in Digital Skills Act, a bill that would help strengthen computer skills in the American workforce. This bill, which I am introducing today with my colleague Senator Tim Kaine, would make important updates to the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, known as WIOA, to help workers meet the digital skills demands of today's jobs.

A key goal of WIOA is to help Americans overcome barriers to obtaining high-quality jobs and careers. The law requires State and local service providers to offer adult education and skills development programs that accelerate achievement of diplomas and credentials among American workers. This Investing in Digital Skills Act would allow information literacy and digital skills to be included among the skills development programs within these adult education programs.

Our legislation would help prepare individuals for the evolving demands of the digital economy, enhancing their employability and skill sets in a technologically advanced job market. Recent research conducted in partnership between National Skills Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92 percent of jobs require digital skills, yet more than 30 percent of workers lack even foundational digital abilities. The research also found huge financial incentives for this upskilling: Jobs that require at least one digital skill earn 23 percent more than a job requiring none.

This issue is important to Mainers. Lisa Robertson, the director of York Adult Education, wrote to me, saying, ``Your bill would address a significant gap in current workforce development initiatives by recognizing the importance of digital skills training for adult learners. In today's rapidly evolving job market, proficiency in digital literacy is no longer just a valuable asset; it is essential for individuals to succeed. . . .'' I appreciate Lisa's insights about today's workforce needs. By modernizing WIOA with new tools to teach digital skills, the Investing in Digital Skills Act would help Americans maintain their competitive edge in workforce.

I urge my colleagues to support our legislation.

Sen. Susan M. CollinsR-ME · May 22, 2024

Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Investing in Digital Skills Act, a bill that would help strengthen computer skills in the American workforce. This bill, which I am introducing today…

Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Investing in Digital Skills Act, a bill that would help strengthen computer skills in the American workforce. This bill, which I am introducing today with my colleague Senator Tim Kaine, would make important updates to the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, known as WIOA, to help workers meet the digital skills demands of today's jobs.

A key goal of WIOA is to help Americans overcome barriers to obtaining high-quality jobs and careers. The law requires State and local service providers to offer adult education and skills development programs that accelerate achievement of diplomas and credentials among American workers. This Investing in Digital Skills Act would allow information literacy and digital skills to be included among the skills development programs within these adult education programs.

Our legislation would help prepare individuals for the evolving demands of the digital economy, enhancing their employability and skill sets in a technologically advanced job market. Recent research conducted in partnership between National Skills Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92 percent of jobs require digital skills, yet more than 30 percent of workers lack even foundational digital abilities. The research also found huge financial incentives for this upskilling: Jobs that require at least one digital skill earn 23 percent more than a job requiring none.

This issue is important to Mainers. Lisa Robertson, the director of York Adult Education, wrote to me, saying, ``Your bill would address a significant gap in current workforce development initiatives by recognizing the importance of digital skills training for adult learners. In today's rapidly evolving job market, proficiency in digital literacy is no longer just a valuable asset; it is essential for individuals to succeed. . . .'' I appreciate Lisa's insights about today's workforce needs. By modernizing WIOA with new tools to teach digital skills, the Investing in Digital Skills Act would help Americans maintain their competitive edge in workforce.

I urge my colleagues to support our legislation.

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued May 22, 2024

II

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4391

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 22, 2024

Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. Kaine) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to recognize digital skills and digital literacy as critical adult education and literacy objectives, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Investing in Digital Skills Act.

2.

Definitions

Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (15) through (71) as paragraphs (16) through (72), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:

(15)

Digital literacy skills

The term digital literacy skills has the meaning given the term in section 202 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9101).

.

3.

Adult digital literacy skills

(a)

Purpose

Section 202 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3271) is amended—

(1)

by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1)

assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills (including digital literacy skills and information literacy) necessary for employment, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation in all aspects of adult life;

; and

(2)

in paragraph (4)(A)—

(A)

in clause (i), by striking and at the end; and

(B)

by inserting after clause (ii) the following:

(iii)

digital literacy skills and information literacy; and

.

(b)

Definitions

Section 203 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3272) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (17) as paragraphs (11) through (18), respectively;

(2)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

(B)

by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

(C)

by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

(C)

develop and use digital technology skills; and

;

(3)

in paragraph (2), by inserting , digital skills activities offered in conjunction with other adult education and literacy activities after family literacy activities;

(4)

in paragraph (9), by adding at the end the following:

(E)

Digital literacy and information literacy activities to enable parents or family members to develop and use digital literacy skills and information literacy to support their children’s learning.

; and

(5)

by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

(10)

Information literacy

The term information literacy means the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, understand, evaluate, analyze, and effectively use information (which encompasses spoken and broadcast words and videos, printed materials, and digital content, data, and images).

.

(6)

in paragraph (14), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by striking and solve problems, and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting solve problems, and use digital technology at levels of proficiency necessary to function effectively as an employee, a parent or a family member, and a member of society..

4.

Prohibition on financial assistance for programs that involve political activities

Section 194(6) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3254(6)) is amended by striking title and inserting Act.