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1997 SESSION

972615482
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 651
Offered January 20, 1997
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study ways to encourage business participation in school-to-work transition initiatives, mentoring, and apprenticeship programs.
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Patron-- Wagner
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Referred to Committee on Education
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WHEREAS, recognizing the need to provide broad opportunities for students in the public schools to explore career options, receive advanced technical skills training, and enhance their eligibility for postsecondary education and successful employment, the 1995 Session of the General Assembly authorized local school boards to establish school-to-work programs for public school students in grades five through twelve; and

WHEREAS, to enhance these transition programs, school boards are to "develop appropriate interagency linkages with public and private institutions of higher education, labor and industry councils, the business community, rehabilitative services providers, and employment and guidance services to assist such students in acquiring necessary work habits, developing marketable skills, and identifying career goals through a broad range of educational and career opportunities and mentoring and apprenticeship programs"; and

WHEREAS, to demonstrate support for these and other school-to-work initiatives, the 1996 Session created the School-To-Work Transition Grants Program, providing for competitive grants for model programs promoting the effective transition from the school environment to the workplace and for school-to-work transition programs established pursuant to § 22.1-209.01; and

WHEREAS, the participation of businesses in school-to-work programs and other initiatives, such as apprenticeships and mentoring programs, is essential to ensure increased opportunities for the education and training of the Commonwealth's young people; and

WHEREAS, the creation of incentives to enhance business participation in these programs requires consideration of a variety of financial and policy issues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study ways to encourage business participation in school-to-work transition initiatives, mentoring, and apprenticeship programs. The joint subcommittee shall consider, among other things, current school-to-work, mentoring, and apprenticeship programs in the Commonwealth and in other states; the feasibility and appropriateness of providing financial incentives, such as tax credits, to encourage business participation in such initiatives; potential business liability and labor law concerns; and such other issues as the joint subcommittee deems appropriate.

The joint subcommittee shall consist of nine members as follows: five members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 5,400.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request. The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.