FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 1127
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 68 L 15
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Creating the agricultural labor skills and safety program.
Sponsors: House Committee on Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Chandler and Sells).
Labor: 2/2/15, 2/17/15 [DPS];
Appropriations: 2/26/15, 2/27/15 [DPS(LAB)].
Background:
The Department of Labor and Industries (Agency) is responsible for regulating safety in the workplace. The Agency creates educational materials, such as safety videos, and makes those available on its website. Some materials, such as videos on tractor safety and heat exposure, focus on the agricultural industry.
Five years ago, money was appropriated to implement an agricultural worker safety grant to provide agricultural workers training related to farm skills, English as a second language, and other skills. The grant was administered by the Agency with the Department of Agriculture. Funding for that grant program was not renewed.
Summary:
Subject to appropriated funds, the Department of Commerce (Department) must create and administer the Agricultural Labor Skills and Safety Grant Program. The Department must select one grant recipient that has a community-based organization whose primary purpose is to provide services to Washington agricultural workers. The Department must ensure that participation in training is voluntary. Training is intended to improve the employability of workers living in Washington and to improve skills of those who work on a permanent, local seasonal, or seasonal migrant basis, and who intend to return to Washington to work in agriculture.
The grant recipient must work with agricultural employee and employer organizations to:
design and implement the skills program and provide health and safety training;
develop a plan to increase the number of skilled agricultural workers through outreach;
evaluate trainings and service delivery strategies for agricultural workers and employers;
partner with an agricultural employee and an agricultural employer organization that has focused on agricultural labor and employment issues and services for at least 10 years and has experience in providing training to agricultural employees; and
use a training delivery system that is sensitive to the needs of agricultural employees and employers.
The grant recipient may receive up to $1 million per year. The provisions creating the grant program expire July 1, 2018.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 90 | 8 | |
Senate | 49 | 0 |
Effective: | July 24, 2015 |