S-3451

AN ACT Relating to the Washington work opportunities program; adding new sections to chapter 74.25 RCW; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the development of innovative, performance-based programs that successfully provide public assistance recipients workplace orientation and placement in long-term, viable jobs are in the public interest. The development of alternative specialized services, beyond those currently offered, will address the specific job placement needs of public assistance recipients.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. For the purposes of sections 2 through 4 of this act:

(1) "Employee" means a recipient of aid to families with dependent children under RCW 74.08.025 and participating in the program.

(2) "Employer" means a private or public employer who serves as the prospective regular employer for participants in the program.

(3) "Program" means the Washington work opportunities program created under section 3 of this act.

(4) "Vendor" means a private entity providing the recruitment, training, counseling, placement, and retention services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The Washington work opportunities program is established to foster job training, provide a productive work force for the state, and encourage financial independence from public assistance.

(2) The Washington work opportunities program shall be administered by the department of social and health services through contracts with private vendors. The private vendors shall:

(a) Recruit employers to participate in the program who agree to employ participants who successfully complete preemployment orientation and the on-the-job training phase;

(b) Serve as a resource for potential employers seeking trained employees;

(d) Orient prospective employees participating in the program prior to placement with an employer;

(e) Agree to pay the wages of the employee during the first four months of employment at the state minimum wage or above; and

(f) Provide support services at least once a week to the employee who is working on site with the employer to insure that the employee's level of work is satisfactory.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) Funds authorized under RCW 74.25.010 and 74.25.020 shall be paid to the employee through the vendor during the period prior to permanent hiring by the employer.

(2) For the services provided as specified in section 3 of this act, a vendor shall be paid, in addition to the work supplementation funds provided in subsection (1) of this section. Payments shall be made in the following increment: (a) Two-thirds of the fee when the employee is hired and placed on the payroll of the employer; and (b) one-third of the fee when the employee hired has remained on the job for a period of two months.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. There is appropriated to the department of social and health services, for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund, _____________, or as much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. For the biennium ending June 30, 1993, the payment of expenses from federal funds collected or received by the department of social and health services under the family support act of 1988 shall not exceed one million dollars for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 2 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 74.25 RCW.