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2009 SESSION

095830720
HOUSE BILL NO. 1660
Offered January 14, 2009
Prefiled December 15, 2008
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-225.1 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 2.2-203.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to telework.
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Patrons-- Scott, J.M. and Hugo
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 2.2-225.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-225.1. (Expires July 1, 2018) Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance.

A. There is hereby established the Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance in the office of the Secretary of Technology, consisting of a director, appointed by the Secretary of Technology, and such additional telework and broadband professionals as deemed necessary. The goals of the Office are to encourage telework as a family-friendly, business-friendly public policy that promotes workplace efficiency and reduces strain on transportation infrastructure. In conjunction with efforts to promote telework, the Office shall work with public and private entities to develop widespread access to broadband services. It shall be the duty of the director Director of the Office to advise the Secretary and the Board of Directors of the Innovative Technology Authority, generally.

B. The director Director shall have the following duties:

1. Promote and encourage use of telework alternatives for public and private employees, including but not limited to appropriate policy and legislative initiatives. Upon request, the Director may advise and assist private sector employers in the Commonwealth in planning, developing, and administering programs, projects, plans, policies, and other activities for telecommuting by private sector employees and in developing incentives provided by the private sector to encourage private sector employers in the Commonwealth to utilize employee telecommuting.

2. Assist state agencies in establishing telework policies. Advise and assist state agencies, and upon request of the localities, advise and assist localities in planning, developing, and administering programs, projects, plans, policies, and other activities to promote telecommuting by employees of state agencies or localities.

3. Support the efforts of both public and private entities within the Commonwealth to enhance or facilitate the deployment of, and access to competitively priced, advanced electronic communications services (commonly known as broadband) and Internet access services of general application throughout the Commonwealth.

4. Specifically work towards establishing affordable, accessible broadband services to unserved areas of the Commonwealth and monitor advancements in communication that will facilitate this goal.

5. Advocate for, and facilitate the development and deployment of, applications, programs, and services including, but not limited to telework, telemedicine, and e-learning that will bolster the usage of and demand for broadband level telecommunications.

6. Serve as a broadband information and applications clearinghouse for the Commonwealth and a coordination point for broadband-related services and programs in the Commonwealth.

7. Advise the Secretary on broadband adoption, deployment, and application issues.

8. Coordinate activities regarding telework with, and regularly report to, a panel consisting of the Secretaries of Administration, Commerce and Trade, Finance, Technology, and Transportation. The Secretary of Technology shall serve as chair of the panel. Additional members may be designated by the Governor. Staff support for the panel shall be provided by the offices of the Secretaries of Technology and Transportation and the Governor shall designate additional agencies to provide staff support as necessary.

9. The Director shall report annually to the General Assembly on telework participation levels and trends of both private and public sector employees in the Commonwealth.

C. The Office shall not have the power to consolidate or otherwise have authority over advanced communications projects being conducted by public or private bodies outside of the executive branch of government.

2.  That § 2.2-203.2 of the Code of Virginia is repealed.