Delaware-2015-SB229-Draft

Amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code, Subchapter I, by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 5007A. Short Title.

This Act may be known and cited as the "Work a Day Earn a Pay Public Works Jobs Program Act."

§ 5007B. Statement of purpose.

On December 9, 2015, the Work a Day Earn a Pay Task Force issued a report recommending that the State of Delaware establish a Work a Day Earn a Pay (WDEP) Public Works Jobs Program in the State of Delaware. The WDEP Public Works Jobs Program is intended to be a State sponsored program aimed at unemployed workers and young adults entering the work force within the State. The goal of the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program is to provide entry-level positions for inexperienced or unemployed workers for public works projects. The WDEP Public Works Jobs Program is being created to reduce current unemployment rates and income disparities, aid economically disadvantaged populations, and help reduce crime rates in areas and populations with high rates of unemployment.

§5007C. Work a Day Earn a Pay Public Works Jobs Program.

(a)The General Assembly may appropriate funding for the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program in an amount not to exceed $2 million annually from the State Strategic Fund.

(b) The WDEP Public Works Jobs Program shall, among other things:

(1) Offer employment to unemployed, at-risk or disadvantaged individuals that may experience barriers to employment opportunities;

(2) Be open to Delaware residents ages 17 and older, who are drug and alcohol free;

(3) Implement the recommendations in the report of the WDEP Task Force;

(4) Provide temporary employment in areas such as public works projects, litter control, river and stream cleanup projects, park cleanup projects, and housing renovation and improvement projects;

(5) Teach participants tangible job skills;

(6) Partner with non-profit agencies in each county;

(7) Partner with government agencies;

(8) Encourage private sector companies to participate in and be active partners in the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program;

(9) Lay the groundwork for a sustainable long-term WDEP Public Works Jobs Program.

(c)The Council on Development Finance shall provide oversight and direction for the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program.The Council may delegate the administration of the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program to one or more non-profit agencies.The Council shall accept grant applications from qualified non-profit organizations beginning on October 1, 2016, and shall make grant awards on or before March 30, 2017 and each year thereafter, contingent upon funding.

(d)The Council shall be responsible for developing measurable goals and objectives for the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program.The Council shall track the measurable progress of the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program.Any state agencies involved in the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program shall fully cooperate with and provide data and information to assist the Council in carrying out its duties.

(e) The Council shall prepare an annual report on the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program to the Governor and members of the General Assembly.This report shall detail progress toward the goals and objectives and implementation of this Act.All state agencies shall cooperate with the Council on the creation and dissemination of the report.The report shall also identify barriers to achieving the goals of the Program along with the effective strategies and policies that can help overcome the barriers and realize the goals of the Program.

(f) The Council shall accept and administer grant monies.

(g) The Council shall accept and receive, in furtherance of its function, funds, grants and services from the federal government or its agencies, from departments, agencies and instrumentalities of state or local government or from private and civic sources.

SPONSOR:	Sen. Marshall & Rep. Mulrooney