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1998 SESSION

989403705
SENATE BILL NO. 699
Senate Amendments in [ ] -- February 16, 1998
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 16 of Title 23 an article numbered 2.1, consisting of sections numbered § 23-220.5 and § 23-220.6, relating to creation of the Employment and Economic Improvement Program for Disadvantaged Persons.
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Patrons-- Maxwell, Edwards, Lambert, Miller, Y.B. and Reasor; Delegates: Christian, Crittenden, Darner, Jones, J.C., McEachin, Melvin and Spruill
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Referred to the Committee on Education and Health
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 16 of Title 23 an article numbered 2.1, consisting of sections numbered § 23-220.5 and § 23-220.6, as follows:

§ 23-220.5. Economic and Employment Improvement Program for Disadvantaged Persons; [ Board Department ] to administer; promulgation of regulations.

A. With such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose, there is hereby created the Economic and Employment Improvement Program for Disadvantaged Persons to improve the employability of and provide assistance to disadvantaged persons through education and skills training. The program shall be administered by the [ State Board for Community Colleges Governor's Education and Training Department ] , in collaboration with the Private Industry Councils ("PICs"), the Virginia Employment Commission ("VEC"), the Department of Education, the Department of Labor and Industry, and the [ Governor's Education and Training Department ("GETD") State Board for Community Colleges ] . The [ Board Department ] , in collaboration with such agencies, shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the program and designate projects to receive grants awarded pursuant to this section.

B. On and after July 1, 1998, the Program shall consist of up to ten grant projects located in regions throughout the Commonwealth to provide equal geographical distribution of such projects. Priority for awarding such grants shall be given to projects designed to serve persons (i) historically under-represented in Virginia institutions of higher education, and in management and administrative levels in the business community; (ii) located in counties, cities and towns with high local stress indicators and in economically depressed regions of the Commonwealth; (iii) disproportionately represented in the workforce in minimum wage jobs and occupations requiring minimum education, training, and skills; (iv) displaced by technological advances in industry; and (v) having any combination thereof. Grants for all projects shall be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants responding to requests for proposals. Upon appropriation of funds for the purposes of this section, the Board shall issue a request for proposals for projects for the program. Grants shall be awarded by May 1, 1999.

§ 23-220.6. Eligible projects; criteria for award of grants.

Eligible projects shall (i) satisfy the criteria for receiving awards pursuant to subsection B of § 23-220.5; (ii) provide assistance to and improve the employability of African-American males through education and skill training; (iii) provide training and education reflective of current and projected workforce needs in the Commonwealth; (iv) coordinate and provide delivery of services, such as community-business outreach programs through the schools or departments of business, or community outreach programs at two- and four-year public and private institutions of higher education; and (v) encourage mentoring partnerships between corporations and financially stressed businesses. Grant recipients may work collaboratively, upon request, to provide approved service delivery.