BILL REQ. #:  H-0311.1 

Read first time 01/14/09.   Referred to Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to lifelong learning accounts; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Lifelong learning accounts are portable employee-owned and employer-matched savings accounts dedicated to covering the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment for working adults seeking education and training to improve their position in the workforce. The legislature finds that lifelong learning accounts allow employers and workers to coinvest in their futures. The legislature further finds that, combined with free career advising, lifelong learning accounts can make a significant difference in the lives of workers and their families, as well as for employers in need of well-trained workers. The legislature intends to facilitate the creating of lifelong learning accounts for workers in the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The workforce training and education coordinating board shall establish a state lifelong learning account steering committee. The steering committee shall consist of representatives from the: (a) Association of Washington business; (b) higher education coordinating board; (c) state board for community and technical colleges; (d) department of community, trade, and economic development; (e) Washington state hospital association; (f) Pacific mountain workforce development council; and (g) state and regional AFL-CIO and SEIU.
     (2) The steering committee shall: (a) Develop a policy framework to establish a statewide lifelong learning account program; (b) identify technical and budget issues along with recommendations on how to resolve them; (c) provide for continuing outreach to workers, employers, and foundations, willing to participate in and fund lifelong learning accounts; and (d) design a performance accountability system.
     (3) The steering committee shall receive staff and logistical support from the workforce training and education coordinating board. The workforce training and education coordinating board shall enter into an interagency agreement with the higher education coordinating board to provide technical expertise in the development of infrastructure and software plans necessary for the lifelong learning account program.
     (4) The steering committee shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by September 1, 2010, and every two years thereafter, regarding the numbers and characteristics of participating workers and employers, the status of outreach efforts, and other appropriate performance outcome measures identified by the steering committee.