SB 5955-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/17/03)

Finds that the department of community, trade, and economic development has, through its individual development accounts program, shown the value of economic development efforts that focus on providing individuals with resources, skills, and incentives to engage in gainful employment.

Declares an intent to promote economic development by creating the personal reemployment account program in the department to provide for the establishment of personal reemployment accounts for certain individuals identified as likely to have problems becoming reemployed. The personal reemployment account program is to assist such individuals by accelerating reemployment, promoting retention in employment, and providing enhanced flexibility, choice, and control in obtaining intensive reemployment, training, and supportive services.

Declares an intent to operate the program with funds granted to the state from the federal government and private resources.

Provides that, prior to the establishment of a personal reemployment account for an eligible individual, the department of community, trade, and economic development and the one-stop delivery system established under the federal work force investment act shall ensure that the individual: (1) Is informed of the requirements applicable to the personal reemployment account;

(2) Has the option to develop a personal reemployment plan which will identify the employment goals and appropriate combination of services selected by the individual to achieve the employment goals; and

(3) Signs an attestation that the individual will comply with the requirements relating to the personal reemployment accounts under this chapter and federal law and will reimburse the account or, if the account has been terminated, the program for any amounts expended from the account that are not allowable.

Requires the department to conduct periodic interviews with recipients to assist them in meeting their individual employment goals if, after they exhaust any unemployment compensation due to them, they have remaining balances in their personal reemployment account.