PRINTER'S NO. 4043
No. 2915 Session of 1998
INTRODUCED BY FLICK, OLASZ, PERZEL, SCHULER, BROWNE, L. I. COHEN, CORNELL, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HERMAN, SEYFERT AND DALLY, NOVEMBER 2, 1998
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, NOVEMBER 2, 1998
AN ACT 1 Establishing a unified workforce investment system; 2 restructuring certain administrative functions, procedures 3 and entities; transferring workforce development functions of 4 Commonwealth agencies; establishing the Pennsylvania Human 5 Resources Investment Council; and authorizing local workforce 6 investment boards. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions 9 Section 101. Short title. 10 Section 102. Declaration of policy. 11 Section 103. Definitions. 12 Section 104. Conflicts of interest. 13 Chapter 3. Council 14 Section 301. Establishment. 15 Section 302. Membership. 16 Section 303. Powers and duties. 17 Section 304. State performance measures. 18 Chapter 5. Local Workforce Investment Boards 19 Section 501. Establishment.
1 Section 502. Membership. 2 Section 503. Powers and duties. 3 Section 504. Local performance measures. 4 Chapter 7. Implementation. 5 Section 701. Replacement of State Job Training Coordinating 6 Council. 7 Section 702. Continuation of Pennsylvania Human Resources 8 Investment Council. 9 Chapter 9. Miscellaneous Provisions 10 Section 901. Construction. 11 Section 902. Regulations abrogated. 12 Section 903. Severability. 13 Section 904. Effective date. 14 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 15 hereby enacts as follows: 16 CHAPTER 1 17 PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS 18 Section 101. Short title. 19 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Workforce 20 Investment Act. 21 Section 102. Declaration of policy. 22 The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: 23 (1) It is the intent of this act to address more 24 effectively the potential of citizens, employers and 25 communities in this Commonwealth by: 26 (i) Recognizing that the skills and knowledge of the 27 Commonwealth's workforce are the keys to providing 28 enhanced opportunities for individuals and economic 29 competitive advantages for businesses and communities. 30 (ii) Expanding and providing for more efficient and 19980H2915B4043 - 2 -
1 coordinated administration of workforce investment 2 activities. 3 (iii) Effecting the maximum feasible return on 4 investment for the citizens of this Commonwealth. 5 (iv) Promoting the coordination and integration of 6 workforce investment, economic development and education 7 policies. 8 (2) The express goals of the Pennsylvania Workforce 9 Investment System are: 10 (i) Economic opportunity for all citizens and 11 businesses. 12 (ii) Economic self-sufficiency and individual 13 responsibility. 14 (iii) An educated workforce with relevant skills for 15 personal growth and economic prosperity. 16 (3) These goals are to be attained through fostering a 17 dynamic world-class workforce in which citizens and 18 businesses in this Commonwealth possess the knowledge and 19 skills to succeed and excel in a highly competitive and 20 rapidly changing world. 21 (4) Achievement of a world-class workforce in this 22 Commonwealth is best accomplished through a unified workforce 23 investment system that is dedicated to and operates in 24 adherence with the following basic philosophy and core 25 values: 26 (i) Economic competitiveness based on improvements 27 in productivity, quality and service. 28 (ii) Excellence and informed choice in education, 29 training opportunities, workplace preparation and career 30 decision making. 19980H2915B4043 - 3 -
1 (iii) A strong work ethic, mutual respect, a 2 commitment to lifelong learning and the valuing of all 3 workers and their work. 4 (iv) Stewardship of public resources; emphasizing 5 private sector solutions to workforce investment goals 6 supplemented by limited government involvement when 7 necessary. 8 (v) The highest quality delivery of market-driven 9 services which are readily identifiable and easily 10 accessible and which consider the abilities and work- 11 support needs of a diverse population. 12 (vi) Continuous quality improvement through 13 cooperation and collaboration among all who participate 14 and are engaged in this endeavor in order for individuals 15 to earn family-sustaining wages for economic self- 16 sufficiency. 17 Section 103. Definitions. 18 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 19 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 20 context clearly indicates otherwise: 21 "Agreement of mutual responsibility." A written plan which 22 assures that each of the parties responsible for achieving 23 mutually agreed upon workforce investment goals understands the 24 responsibilities and obligations to be undertaken by the direct 25 recipient of public funds, the time frames within which each 26 obligation is to be completed, the consequences or corrective 27 action which may exist for failure to comply and the actions to 28 be undertaken to support the efforts of the applicant. 29 "Certify." An approval issued by the Pennsylvania Human 30 Resources Investment Council to a local workforce investment 19980H2915B4043 - 4 -
1 board that satisfies the eligibility requirements established by 2 the Commonwealth. 3 "Chief elected executive official." A mayor or elected 4 executive in a mayor-council form of government in a city 5 operating under an optional charter form of government pursuant 6 to the act of July 15, 1957 (P.L.901, No.399), known as the 7 Optional Third Class City Charter Law, or if no mayor or elected 8 executive is elected under an optional charter, the president or 9 chairperson of the legislative policymaking governing body; a 10 mayor of a city of the third class operating under a commission 11 form of government pursuant to the act of June 23, 1931 12 (P.L.932, No.317), known as The Third Class City Code; a mayor 13 or elected executive in a home rule charter or optional plan 14 municipality pursuant to 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. III, Subpt. E (relating 15 to home rule and optional plan government) or if no mayor or 16 elected executive is elected in the home rule charter or 17 optional plan municipality, the president or chairperson of the 18 legislative policymaking governing body; the mayor of a city of 19 the first class under the act of April 21, 1949 (P.L.665, 20 No.155), known as the First Class City Home Rule Act; a mayor of 21 a borough or incorporated town; the chairperson of the board of 22 county commissioners; the chairperson of the board of township 23 commissioners; or the chairperson of the board of township 24 supervisors. 25 "Council." The Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment 26 Council established in section 301. 27 "Customer." An employer, job seeker or jobholder who wishes 28 to engage in workforce investment activities that fall within 29 the purview of this act. The term does not include a service 30 provider. 19980H2915B4043 - 5 -
1 "Employment." Work that is employer based or 2 entrepreneurial. 3 "Facilitated assistance." Person-to-person interaction to 4 assist a customer: 5 (1) With using the information access system. 6 (2) With securing services such as customer assessment, 7 employment opportunity development, employment search and 8 referral, career exploration, postemployment services and 9 customer case management. 10 (3) By enhancing the ability of the customer to become 11 more self-directed in utilizing the workforce investment 12 system. 13 (4) By holding the customer accountable to an agreement 14 of mutual responsibility. 15 "Information access." An information system which: 16 (1) Makes use of a combination of technologies and means 17 of access. 18 (2) Is readily identifiable and easily accessible. 19 (3) Enables the sharing of workforce investment 20 information across all parts of the workforce investment 21 system and is available to all customers. 22 "Invest." To oversee and monitor funds appropriated by the 23 Federal Government and designated by the Governor or funds 24 specifically appropriated by State government for workforce 25 investment purposes according to a strategy established by the 26 Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council to receive an 27 acceptable return on investment. This term includes evaluating 28 unified workforce investment plans submitted by local workforce 29 investment boards and other purposes or programs administered by 30 the council. 19980H2915B4043 - 6 -
1 "Lifelong learning." Formal and informal learning and 2 training activities, as well as work experience, that develop 3 the knowledge and the learning skills of students and customers 4 to enhance learning, employability and the quality of life for 5 each individual in society. 6 "Local career development marketplace" or "Team Pennsylvania 7 Career Link." A collaborative network of service providers 8 designed to deliver to workforce investment customers high- 9 quality information access, facilitated assistance, lifelong 10 learning and transitional or work support services or 11 activities, combined with economic investment services and 12 activities, at a county or multicounty level. 13 "Local workforce investment board." An entity certified by 14 the Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council and 15 organized to further the goals and purpose of this act. 16 "Municipality." Every county, city, borough, incorporated 17 town, township and home rule or optional plan or optional 18 charter municipality. 19 "Participating agencies." All of the following: 20 (1) The Department of Aging. 21 (2) The Department of Community and Economic 22 Development. 23 (3) The Department of Education. 24 (4) The Department of Labor and Industry. 25 (5) The Department of Public Welfare. 26 (6) An agency designated by Executive Order. 27 (7) Any agency that oversees and monitors funds 28 appropriated by the Federal Government and designated by the 29 Governor or funds specifically appropriated by State 30 government for workforce investment that falls under the 19980H2915B4043 - 7 -
1 authority of the Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment 2 Council. 3 "Return on investment." The economic or social impact of 4 public workforce investments evaluated according to cost benefit 5 criteria determined by the Pennsylvania Human Resources 6 Investment Council to measure and maximize the beneficial 7 results in the advancement of the goals and purposes of this 8 act. The criteria include the components of cost, time and 9 opportunities. Opportunities may include social and economic 10 benefits of job preparation and placement that enable people to 11 obtain and retain employment, thereby eliminating dependency on 12 assistance and freeing funds for reinvestment in people and 13 developing capacity to improve a region's ability to attract and 14 retain business and industry. The replacement of private 15 investments in workforce development with public funds shall be 16 applied in the negative in evaluating return on investment. 17 "Service provider." Any individual, partnership or 18 corporation, whether for profit or nonprofit, including the 19 principals thereof, or secondary or postsecondary educational 20 institution or intermediate unit or any public agency, whose 21 business, in whole or in part, is to provide workforce 22 investment services and activities, based upon agreement or 23 contract, for monetary remuneration. 24 "System." The unified system for the delivery of workforce 25 investment programs to assure a well-educated highly skilled 26 workforce for the Commonwealth. 27 "Transitional support." Wage loss or subsistence programs, 28 such as public assistance, unemployment compensation and 29 workers' compensation, that are designed to provide temporary 30 income during a defined interim period to enable a customer to 19980H2915B4043 - 8 -
1 pursue employment opportunities and obtain and engage in 2 employment. 3 "Work support." Assistance that helps a customer secure and 4 maintain employment, such as assistance in securing child care, 5 transportation, vocational rehabilitation goods or services or 6 case management. 7 "Workforce development" or "workforce investment." 8 Information access, facilitated assistance, lifelong learning 9 activities, including, but not limited to, vocational education 10 programs, programs in community colleges, postsecondary 11 education institutions authorized to grant associate, 12 baccalaureate and advanced degrees and transitional support and 13 work support services or activities which enable customers to 14 engage in or prepare for employment opportunities. 15 Section 104. Conflicts of interest. 16 (a) Voting.--A member of the Human Resources Investment 17 Council or a member of a local workforce investment board may 18 not vote on any substantive or financial decision that affects 19 the member's organization directly or indirectly through 20 organizational partnerships. 21 (b) Lobbying.--An individual who is registered as a lobbyist 22 under the act of September 30, 1961 (P.L.1778, No.712), known as 23 the Lobbying Registration and Regulation Act, may not serve as a 24 member of the Human Resources Investment Council or a member of 25 a local workforce investment board. 26 (c) Policy.--The council shall adopt a conflict of interest 27 policy designed to preclude any material conflict of interest or 28 impropriety with respect to the duties and activities of members 29 of the Human Resources Investment Council or members of local 30 workforce investment boards or their officers, employees and 19980H2915B4043 - 9 -
1 members of their immediate families. 2 CHAPTER 3 3 COUNCIL 4 Section 301. Establishment. 5 The Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council is 6 established to implement a unified system for the delivery of 7 workforce investment programs to assure a well educated, highly 8 skilled workforce. The council is vested with the authority to 9 coordinate the Commonwealth's existing Federal and State 10 workforce investment programs into an integrated system, which 11 directs Federal, State and local resources to existing programs 12 with track records of success and new programs of recognized 13 potential. 14 Section 302. Membership. 15 (a) General rule.--The council shall be established in 16 accordance with the compositional requirements for state human 17 resource investment councils set forth in the Workforce 18 Investment Act (Public Law 105-220, 112 Stat. 936) or a 19 federally permissible alternative. A majority of the membership 20 of the council shall be private sector employer representatives. 21 In addition, the following persons shall serve on the council: 22 (1) The Governor. 23 (2) The Secretary of Aging. 24 (3) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development. 25 (4) The Secretary of Education. 26 (5) The Secretary of Labor and Industry. 27 (6) The Secretary of Public Welfare. 28 (7) Four members of the General Assembly. Two members 29 shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the 30 Senate, one of whom shall be recommended by the Minority 19980H2915B4043 - 10 -
1 Leader of the Senate; two members shall be appointed by the 2 Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be 3 recommended by the Minority Leader of the House of 4 Representatives. 5 (8) The following shall be appointed by the Governor for 6 a term of at least two years: 7 (i) Private sector employer representatives from 8 various regions of this Commonwealth. 9 (ii) Chief elected executive officials representing 10 both cities and counties. 11 (iii) Representatives of individuals and 12 organizations that have experience with youth activities. 13 (iv) Representatives of individuals and 14 organizations that have expertise in the delivery of 15 workforce investment activities, including chief 16 executive officers of community colleges and community- 17 based organizations. 18 (v) Representatives of organized labor. 19 (vi) Other individuals or representatives of 20 entities as may be deemed appropriate by the Governor. 21 (b) Chairperson.--The Governor shall designate, to serve at 22 the Governor's pleasure, a member from the private sector to 23 serve as chairperson of the council. The chairperson shall be 24 authorized to designate another member to preside at meetings in 25 the chairperson's absence. 26 (c) Designees.--Each member may designate an individual to 27 represent the member at a specified meeting. A designee may not 28 vote but may otherwise act on behalf of the member. The 29 designation must be in writing and be delivered to the 30 chairperson and shall be in effect only for the meeting date 19980H2915B4043 - 11 -
1 specified. 2 (d) Staff.--The council may employ a limited staff to 3 implement the decisions of the council. 4 (e) Meetings.--The council shall meet quarterly and 5 additionally at such time and places as it shall determine. 6 Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or at the 7 request of a majority of the members. 8 (f) Executive committee.--An executive committee that 9 includes representation from the private sector may be 10 established and authorized under the council to oversee and 11 monitor the Commonwealth's unified workforce investment system. 12 The organization framework may utilize existing staff structure 13 or develop its own staffing arrangement. 14 (g) Subcommittees.--The chairperson may establish 15 subcommittees, appoint members and delegate duties to 16 subcommittees as the chairperson deems necessary to fulfill the 17 council's responsibilities. A subcommittee shall be chaired by a 18 member of the council. 19 (h) Compensation.--Members shall receive no compensation, 20 but shall be entitled to receive an allowance for expenses 21 incurred in the performance of duties. 22 (i) Personnel, equipment, resources.--The policy and program 23 offices of the Department of Aging, the Department of Community 24 and Economic Development, the Department of Education, the 25 Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Public 26 Welfare shall provide such personnel, equipment and resources as 27 are required for the functioning of the council. 28 Section. 303. Powers and duties. 29 The council, in furtherance of sections 102 and 104, shall 30 have the following powers and duties: 19980H2915B4043 - 12 -
1 (1) To develop, adopt and assure adherence to systemwide 2 standards, principles, policies, goals, financial resource 3 investment priorities and strategies for workforce investment 4 and workforce investment return on investment criteria to 5 maintain continuously a competitive advantage for this 6 Commonwealth. 7 (2) To monitor and assure collaboration of the 8 investment of all funds specifically appropriated by the 9 Federal Government and designated by the Governor or funds 10 specifically appropriated by State government, for workforce 11 investment, under any of the following: 12 (i) The Adult Education Act (Public Law 89-750, 20 13 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.). 14 (ii) The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 15 Technology Education Act (Public Law 88-210, 20 U.S.C. § 16 2301 et seq.). 17 (iii) The Community Services Block Grant Act (Public 18 Law 97-35, 95 Stat. 511). 19 (iv) The Food Stamp Act of 1977 (Public Law 88-525, 20 7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.). 21 (v) The Job Training Partnership Act (Public Law 97- 22 300, 29 U.S.C. § 1501 et seq.). 23 (vi) The National and Community Service Trust Act of 24 1993 (Public Law 103-82, 107 Stat. 785). 25 (vii) Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 26 (Public Law 89-73, 42 U.S.C. § 3056 et seq.). 27 (viii) The Personal Responsibility and Work 28 Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104- 29 193, 110 Stat. 2105). 30 (ix) The School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 19980H2915B4043 - 13 -
1 (Public Law 103-239, 108 Stat. 568). 2 (x) The Trade Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-618, 19 3 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq.). 4 (xi) The Vocational Rehabilitation Act (41 Stat. 5 735, 29 U.S.C. § 31 et seq.). 6 (xii) The Wagner-Peyser Act (48 Stat. 113, 29 U.S.C. 7 § 49 et seq.). 8 (xiii) The act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), 9 known as the Workers' Compensation Act. 10 (xiv) The act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 11 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment 12 Compensation Law. 13 (xv) Article XIX-A of the act of March 10, 1949 14 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949. 15 (xvi) The act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.492, 16 No.116), known as the Customized Job Training Act. 17 (xvii) The act of October 22, 1986 (P.L.1452, 18 No.143), known as the Pennsylvania Adult Basic and 19 Literacy Education Act. 20 (xviii) Any other Federal or State statute of 21 similar intent and purpose. 22 (3) To examine Federal and State statutes and 23 regulations in order to assess whether they present barriers 24 to achieving the provisions of this act and to recommend to 25 the Federal Government, the Governor and the General Assembly 26 amendments to statutes and regulations and waivers for 27 regulations to eliminate barriers and to promote the 28 provisions of this act. 29 (4) To develop and disseminate appropriate and necessary 30 research and statistical information, to set the requisite 19980H2915B4043 - 14 -
1 protocols and standards for common data reference, to engage 2 in or sponsor studies to identify workforce investment system 3 needs and to gather and disseminate information. 4 (5) To establish and assure adherence to performance- 5 based quality assurance metrics and standards designed to 6 optimize system function, performance and effectiveness. 7 (6) To evaluate the five-year unified workforce 8 investment plans and investment proposals submitted by local 9 workforce investment boards and to make recommendations for 10 the investment of public money in plans or parts of plans 11 which meet the objectives established by the council. 12 (7) To implement mechanisms to secure appropriate input 13 from service providers in the development of polices, local 14 performance measures or investment strategies. 15 (8) To establish and maintain a universally accessible 16 information access system which enables the system to 17 function and serve its customers effectively. 18 (9) To contract or develop written agreements or 19 memoranda of understanding with participating agencies for 20 the administration and management of workforce investment 21 programs and activities under the responsibility of the 22 council. 23 (10) To provide technical assistance to local workforce 24 investment boards to assist them in maximizing the return on 25 investment of public money. 26 (11) To set the criteria for local career development 27 market places and service provider participation, to adopt an 28 official system logo designation and to develop a systemwide 29 marketing program. 30 (12) To certify local workforce investment boards, by 19980H2915B4043 - 15 -
1 giving consideration to: 2 (i) The proposed board's capability to effectively 3 monitor and assure collaboration of workforce investment 4 programs. 5 (ii) The proposed board's capacity to monitor and 6 assure collaboration of the workforce investment programs 7 in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act (Public 8 Law 105-220, 112 Stat. 936). 9 (iii) The portion of the labor market or 10 geographical area to be served by the proposed board. 11 (13) To recommend necessary action when a local 12 workforce investment board fails to act, acts improperly or 13 fails to meet the conditions of its unified local workforce 14 investment plan in which Federal or State funds have been 15 invested. 16 (14) To recognize the potential of citizens, employers 17 and communities in this Commonwealth by affirming the 18 continued existence and independence of all current funding 19 streams and programs for persons with disabilities while 20 ensuring that employment-related programs for individuals 21 with disabilities operate efficiently. 22 (15) To assess the economic and workforce needs of this 23 Commonwealth and to develop a unified workforce investment 24 system that builds on available services and resources to 25 effectively meet these Statewide needs. 26 (16) To establish cooperative and collaborative 27 relationships with other states' workforce investment system 28 governing bodies. 29 (17) To assure the implementation of Federal and State 30 statutory mandates that fall within the purview of the 19980H2915B4043 - 16 -
1 system. 2 (18) To promulgate regulations that are reasonable, 3 necessary and suitable to carry out this act. 4 (19) To compile an annual report that shall be submitted 5 to each member to the General Assembly by March 1 of each 6 year and that the report shall include: 7 (i) An explanation of the process used to negotiate 8 the level of State performance. 9 (ii) The level of State performance achieved by 10 referring to the State performance measures set forth in 11 section 304. 12 (iii) The anticipated course of actions to be taken 13 by the council to encourage continuous improvement in the 14 system. 15 (iv) A list of the membership of the council, 16 including name, affiliation, address, telephone number, 17 fax number and e-mail address. 18 (v) An explanation of the process used to negotiate 19 levels of local performance. 20 (vi) A list of all certified local workforce 21 investment boards in this Commonwealth, including each 22 board's negotiated level of local performance, each 23 board's level of performance attained and the action 24 taken with respect to any board that failed to meet its 25 negotiated level of local performance. 26 (vii) A copy of the annual report submitted by each 27 local workforce investment board to the council. 28 Section 304. State performance measures. 29 (a) General rule.--State performance measures for the 30 Commonwealth shall consist of the indicators set forth in this 19980H2915B4043 - 17 -
1 section, and the council shall have a duty to monitor compliance 2 with the State performance measures. 3 (b) Core indicators of performance.--The core indicators of 4 performance for employment and training activities shall consist 5 of: 6 (1) Entry into unsubsidized employment. 7 (2) Retention in unsubsidized employment six months 8 after entry into the employment. 9 (3) Earnings received in unsubsidized employment six 10 months after entry into the employment. 11 (4) Attainment of a recognized credential relating to 12 achievement of educational skills, that may include 13 attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized 14 equivalent, or occupational skills, by participants who enter 15 unsubsidized employment or by participants who are eligible 16 youth between the ages of 19 years old and 21 years old and 17 who enter postsecondary education, advanced training or 18 unsubsidized employment. 19 (c) Customer satisfaction indicator of performance.--The 20 customer satisfaction indicator of performance shall consist of 21 customer satisfaction of employers and participants services 22 received from workforce investment activities and may be 23 measured through surveys conducted after the conclusion of 24 participation in workforce investment activities. Customer 25 satisfaction may be measured through surveys conducted after the 26 conclusion of participation in the workforce investment 27 activities. 28 CHAPTER 5 29 LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARDS 30 Section 501. Establishment. 19980H2915B4043 - 18 -
1 (a) Approval by Governor.-- 2 (1) The Governor shall automatically approve any request 3 for designation as a local area: 4 (i) From any unit of local government with a 5 population of 500,000 or more. 6 (ii) Of the area served by a rural concentrated 7 employment program grant recipient of demonstrated 8 effectiveness that served as a service delivery area or 9 substate area under the Job Training Partnership Act 10 (Public Law 97-300, 29 U.S.C. § 1501 et seq.), if the 11 grant recipient has submitted the request. 12 (2) The Governor shall approve any request, made not 13 later than the date of submission of the initial State plan, 14 for temporary designation as a local area from any unit of 15 general local government, including a combination of such 16 units, with a population of 200,000 or more and that was a 17 service delivery area under the Job Training Partnership Act 18 on the effective date of the Workforce Investment Act (Public 19 Law 105-220, 112 Stat. 936), if the Governor determines that 20 the local area: 21 (i) Performed successfully, in each of the last two 22 years prior to the request for which data are available, 23 in the delivery of services to participants under Part A 24 or Title II and Title III of the Job Training Partnership 25 Act. 26 (ii) Has sustained the fiscal integrity of the funds 27 used by the local area to carry out activities. 28 (3) A temporary designation period under paragraph (2) 29 shall be not more than two years. The temporary designation 30 period shall be extended for an additional three years, if 19980H2915B4043 - 19 -
1 the local area substantially met the local performance 2 measures for the local area and sustained the fiscal 3 integrity of the funds used by the area to carry out 4 activities. 5 (4) No local workforce investment board shall operate 6 unless and until a written request is submitted to the 7 council and is certified under section 303(12). 8 (b) Purpose.--The purpose of each local workforce investment 9 board shall be to promote effective workforce investment 10 programs in a geographic area consistent with labor market or 11 standard metropolitan statistical areas and areas in which 12 related services are provided under Federal and State programs. 13 (c) Accountability.--Each local workforce investment board 14 shall be accountable for the proper administration of any 15 workforce investment funds it receives. 16 Section 502. Membership. 17 (a) Composition.-- 18 (1) Each local workforce investment board shall be made 19 up of at least a majority of private sector representatives 20 and shall include representatives from employers in the 21 regions with key industry clusters or economic sectors, both 22 critical and emerging, and an appropriate mix of small, 23 medium and large firms adequately representing, to the extent 24 possible, urban, suburban and rural interests. Each local 25 workforce investment board shall also include representatives 26 from organized labor or other representatives of employees, 27 representatives of local educational entities, 28 representatives of economic development agencies, 29 representatives of the Team Pennsylvania Career Link center 30 and individuals representing community groups or 19980H2915B4043 - 20 -
1 organizations and may also include other individuals or 2 representatives of entities as may be deemed appropriate. 3 (2) The membership shall select a chairperson from the 4 private sector representatives. 5 (3) Each local workforce investment board may hire 6 limited staff for the management of the Commonwealth's 7 investment in the local workforce investment board. 8 (b) Manner of appointment.--Each member of a local workforce 9 investment board shall be appointed by the county or counties 10 that participate in the board as follows: 11 (1) If only one county participates on the board, the 12 chief elected executive official shall appoint the members. 13 (2) If two or more counties participate on the board, 14 the chief elected executive official of each county shall 15 appoint members in accordance with a written agreement of the 16 counties in the local area. 17 Section 503. Powers and duties. 18 (a) General rule.--A local workforce investment board shall, 19 in order to develop and implement a unified workforce investment 20 plan for the investment and utilization of private and public 21 resources to meet the current and future workforce investment 22 needs of its region in furtherance of sections 102 and 104, have 23 the following powers and duties: 24 (1) To organize and elect a chairperson. 25 (2) To assess the economic and workforce needs of the 26 area and to develop a unified plan that builds on available 27 services and resources to effectively meet the workforce and 28 economic needs of the area. 29 (3) To implement mechanisms to secure appropriate input 30 from providers in the development of policies, performance 19980H2915B4043 - 21 -
1 standards or investment strategies. 2 (4) To assist in the development of and collaborate with 3 local career development marketplaces. 4 (5) To develop, adopt and assure adherence to local 5 performance standards, quality assurance metrics and 6 standards and applied operating principles, which are 7 consistent with systemwide criteria. 8 (6) To establish cooperative and collaborative 9 relationships with other local workforce investment boards 10 and with workforce investment system governing bodies of 11 other states. 12 (7) To use local workforce investment funds to purchase 13 for customers, under an agreement of mutual responsibility, 14 any of the following services: 15 (i) Facilitated assistance. 16 (ii) Lifelong learning. 17 (iii) Work support services or activities. 18 (8) To invest local workforce investment funds in 19 customers, who are eligible to receive the funds under 20 applicable law or regulation, for the purchase of facilitated 21 assistance, lifelong learning or work support services or 22 activities under an agreement of mutual responsibility. 23 (b) Unified workforce investment plan.--Each local workforce 24 investment board shall submit for approval a five-year unified 25 workforce investment plan to the chief elected executive officer 26 in the county or counties served by the board, and after that 27 approval is obtained the board shall submit the plan to the 28 council for its approval. The unified workforce investment plan 29 shall be developed through a process that includes the 30 opportunity for participation by current and potential customers 19980H2915B4043 - 22 -
1 and service providers and shall include the following: 2 (i) An explanation of how the investment of public 3 funds complements and is not a substitute for the 4 investment of private funds. 5 (ii) A description of how the plan supports and 6 seeks to accomplish the objectives established by the 7 council and by the local workforce investment board. 8 (iii) A description of how the plan will further the 9 Commonwealth's work placement requirements for Federal 10 and State transition support programs. 11 (iv) An explanation of how the plan meets the 12 current and future workforce and economic needs of the 13 local area, including the following: 14 (A) Employment and training priorities and 15 objectives based on an analysis of local labor market 16 needs and critical success factors. 17 (B) Needs of job seekers and employers. 18 (C) Potential for utilizing workplaces as 19 locations for education and training. 20 (D) Incentives or motivation to encourage job 21 seekers and employees to obtain needed skills and 22 knowledge. 23 (E) Work-placement requirements for Federal and 24 State welfare programs. 25 (F) Furthering the region's economic development 26 strategy. 27 (v) An accounting of the return on investment and 28 other local performance standards and criteria. 29 (vi) An accounting of the types of products or 30 services to be purchased and the process used to secure 19980H2915B4043 - 23 -
1 those products or services. This subparagraph includes 2 assessment, testing, education, training, job 3 development, job placement, transitional or work support 4 services, acquired through the use of direct purchase, 5 vouchers, performance-based contracting or other 6 effective methods. 7 (vii) A description of eligible service providers 8 and the types of services to be provided. 9 (viii) The total amount of Federal, State and local 10 funds for which the board is responsible. 11 (ix) The submission of an annual report to the 12 council by a deadline to be determined by the council. 13 The report shall include a list of the membership of the 14 local workforce investment board including the name, 15 affiliation, address, telephone number, fax number and e- 16 mail address, the negotiated local level of performance, 17 the level of performance achieved, including an analysis 18 of its strengths and weaknesses, programs participated in 19 and a list of the local eligible service providers. 20 Section 504. Local performance measures. 21 (a) General.--Local performance measures shall consist of 22 the indicators set forth in this section. 23 (b) Core indicators of performance.--The core indicators of 24 performance for employment and training activities shall consist 25 of: 26 (1) Entry into unsubsidized employment. 27 (2) Retention in unsubsidized employment six months 28 after entry into the employment. 29 (3) Earnings received in unsubsidized employment six 30 months after entry into the employment. 19980H2915B4043 - 24 -
1 (4) Attainment of a recognized credential relating to 2 achievement of educational skills, that may include 3 attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized 4 equivalent, or occupational skills, by participants who enter 5 unsubsidized employment or by participants who are eligible 6 youth between the ages 19 years old and 21 years old who 7 enter postsecondary education, advanced training or 8 unsubsidized employment. 9 (c) Customer satisfaction indicator of performance.--The 10 customer satisfaction indicator of performance shall consist of 11 customer satisfaction of employers and participants services 12 received from workforce investment activities and may be 13 measured through surveys conducted after the conclusion of 14 participation in workforce investment activities. Customer 15 satisfaction may be measured through surveys conducted after the 16 conclusion of participation in the workforce investment 17 activities. 18 CHAPTER 7 19 IMPLEMENTATION 20 Section 701. Replacement of State Job Training Coordinating 21 Council. 22 The Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council shall 23 replace the State Job Training Coordinating Council. 24 Section 702. Continuation of Pennsylvania Human Resources 25 Investment Council. 26 The Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council 27 established by this act shall be deemed a continuation of the 28 Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council, as part of Team 29 Pennsylvania, established by Executive Order No. 1997-7 30 (relating to Pennsylvania Human Resources Investment Council). 19980H2915B4043 - 25 -
1 CHAPTER 9 2 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 3 Section 901. Construction. 4 This act, being necessary for the welfare of this 5 Commonwealth and its citizens, shall be liberally construed to 6 effect its purposes. 7 Section 902. Regulations abrogated. 8 As much of the appendix to 4 Pa. Code Ch. 9 Subch. B 9 (relating to organizational charts) as relates to the State Job 10 Training Coordinating Council is abrogated. 11 Section 903. Severability. 12 The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of 13 this act or its application to any person or circumstance is 14 held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions 15 or applications of this act which can be given effect without 16 the invalid provision or application. 17 Section 904. Effective date. 18 This act shall take effect in 60 days. J30L43DMS/19980H2915B4043 - 26 -