SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6723

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Labor, Commerce & Trade, February 1,  1996

                Ways & Means, February 6, 1996

Title:  An act relating to safeguarding employment, training, and development programs for young men and women in Washington state.

Brief Description:  Establishing responsibilities of the employment security department for youth development and training programs.

Sponsors:  Senators Pelz, Goings, Hargrove, Heavey, Wojahn, Rasmussen, Winsley and Kohl.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  1/23/96, 2/1/96 [DP].

Ways & Means:  2/5/96, 2/6/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Franklin, Fraser, Newhouse and Wojahn.

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786-7430)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6723 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Bauer, Drew, Fraser, Hargrove, Kohl, Long, McDonald, Moyer, Pelz, Quigley, Roach, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Sutherland, West, Winsley and Wojahn.

Staff:  Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background:  A major portion of youth employment programs in Washington State have traditionally been funded by the federal government.  They include:

Summer Youth Employment Program (Title II-B): This program serves economically disadvantaged youth between the ages 14-21.  The primary thrust of the program is to provide young individuals with direct job experience, pre-employment training, and work related skills.  In addition, participants are given educational opportunities in order to maintain their academic achievement levels during the summer months.  A total of 7,312 youth participated in this program in 1995.

Year Round Youth Employment (Title II-C):  This year round program is intended to improve the long-term employability of economically disadvantaged youth, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the ability of young individuals to successful transition from school to work.  This program had over 4,500 participants in the state during 1995.

For 1996, Washington's share of the funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program (Title II-B) was $16.5 million.  Previously passed federal legislation eliminated funding for the program in 1997.  In addition, Washington's share of the Year Round Youth Employment Program (Title II-C) has dropped from $12 million in 1995 to $2.45 million in 1996.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Legislature recognizes the importance of employment and training programs in providing disadvantaged youth with opportunities to develop work ethics, attain economic self-sufficiency, and put their talents and enthusiasm to constructive uses.

The Employment Security Department is directed to administer a comprehensive set of employment and training services to disadvantaged youth including summer employment, work skills training, school to work transition services, and on the job training.  The department is authorized to contract with organizations to deliver program services.

The employment and training programs are required to adhere to the following guidelines: (a) coordinate with the Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordination Board in program development and implementation; (b) adhere to the state's comprehensive plan for work force training; (c) consult on an on-going basis with business, labor, private industry councils, and community leaders to ensure a high level of public/private partnerships; (d) promote activities that demonstrate a record of success; (e) develop program goals and indicators that are consistent with those adopted by the Workforce Training and Education Coordination Board; (f) support the development of the state's one-stop-shop approach to the delivery of program services; (g) support the state's development of a school to work transition system; (h) maintain a low administrative overhead with a target of below 10 percent; and (i) support, as appropriate, participation in high skills training.

The programs funded under the act are required to be evaluated in order to determine their impact and effectiveness.  The department is directed to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on an annual basis.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The provision providing an unspecified appropriation to the Department of Employment Security is removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 19, 1996.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. 

Testimony For (Labor, Commerce & Trade):  Existing year round youth employment and training programs are being drastically reduced by Congress while summer youth programs are eliminated.  State support is necessary if Washington is to maintain employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

Testimony Against (Labor, Commerce & Trade):  None.

Testified (Labor, Commerce & Trade):  Kari Quistad, Karen Vialle, Tom Ryan, March Burch, Tacoma/Pierce Co. PIC (pro); Karen White, Seattle/King Co. PIC (pro); Anne Keeney, Ken Wong, Youth Eastside Services (pro); Larry Malo, Employment Security Department (pro).

Testimony For (Ways & Means):  The federal government has reduced or eliminated funding for the summer youth and year round youth employment and training programs.  The positive impact that these programs have on an individual's life was discussed.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means):  None.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Chris Webster, Employment Security Department (pro); Iralena Beckman, former participant (pro); John Loyal, Pacific PIC (pro).