6723-S

AN ACT Relating to safeguarding employment, training, and development programs for young men and women in Washington state; adding new sections to chapter 50.72 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The Washington state legislature recognizes the importance of employment and training programs in providing disadvantaged young men and women with opportunities to develop a work ethic, attain economic self-sufficiency, and put their talents and enthusiasm to constructive uses. In addition, successful employment and training programs, such as summer employment, play a key role in supporting strong families and promoting young individuals to invest in their communities.

It is the intent of the legislature to ensure that effective youth employment and training programs are maintained and that recent reductions in federal funds do not prevent disadvantaged young men and women from being productive members of society.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The employment security department is required to administer the provision of services to disadvantaged young men and women. Such services may include any of the following:

(1) General employment and training services, such as:

(a) Summer youth employment;

(b) Assessment;

(d) Work skills training and development;

(e) Work experience including on-the-job training;

(f) Preapprenticeship and apprenticeship training;

(g) School-to-work transition services;

(h) Basic skills remediation; and

(i) Job search assistance.

(2) Leadership development services, including:

(a) Communication and team building;

(b) Conflict resolution;

(d) Leadership development.

(3) Support services, including:

(a) Payment of support services and needs-based payments or wages; and

(b) Case management and follow-up services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The employment security department is authorized to:

(1) Contract to deliver program services;

(2) Allocate funds to service providers;

(3) Carry out the duties specified in sections 2 through 5 of this act; and

(4) Establish administrative rules in accordance with the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Either directly or by promoting programs funded under sections 2 through 5 of this act that, to the greatest extent possible, adhere to the following guidelines, the employment security department shall:

(1) Coordinate with the Washington state work force training and education coordination board in program development and implementation;

(2) Adhere to the state’s comprehensive plan for work force training;

(3) Consult on an on-going basis with business, labor, private industry councils, and community leaders to ensure a high level of public/private partnerships;

(4) Promote program activities that demonstrate a record of success;

(5) Develop program goals and indicators that are consistent with those adopted by the work force training and education coordination board, including but not limited to (a) measures of gaining and retaining employment, (b) measures of earnings, and (c) level of customer satisfaction;

(6) Support the development of the state's one-stop-shop approach to the delivery of program services;

(7) Address unmet community needs;

(8) Support the state's development of a school-to-work transition system;

(9) Maintain a low administrative overhead, with a target of below ten percent of program funds;

(10) Encourage local support through matching funds; and

(11) Support, as appropriate, participation in high skills training.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The programs and services funded under sections 2 through 4 of this act shall be evaluated to determine their impact and effectiveness in achieving the program indicators established pursuant to section 4(5) of this act. The department shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature on an annual basis.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. The rules under this act shall meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 2 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 50.72 RCW.