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PRINTER'S NO. 707
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
615
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, MUTH, FONTANA, KEARNEY, SCHWANK,
HUGHES, FARNESE AND COSTA, MAY 1, 2019
REFERRED TO LABOR AND INDUSTRY, MAY 1, 2019
AN ACT
Establishing the Schools-to-Work Program; and imposing powers
and duties on the Department of Labor and Industry.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Schools-to-
Work Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the
Commonwealth.
"Program." The Schools-to-Work Program established under
this act.
"School." A public school, including a charter school, cyber
charter school, intermediate unit or area vocational-technical
school in this Commonwealth.
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"Sponsor." An entity that registers a preapprenticeship
program with the department and receives a grant under this act.
Section 3. Schools-to-Work Program.
(a) Establishment.--The department shall establish a
Schools-to-Work Program to award grants on a competitive basis
to entities that support the establishment or enhancement of
workforce development partnerships between schools, employers,
organizations or associations for the purpose of creating
employment and training pathways.
(b) Grant proposals.--In order to apply for a grant under
the program, an entity must submit a grant proposal to the
department that includes all of the following:
(1) Partnership with at least one school.
(2) Demonstration that the entity is working with the
department toward registering a preapprenticeship program.
(3) Learning opportunities for participating students,
including classroom training, workplace visits, internships,
apprenticeships, mentorships or employment opportunities.
(4) Identification of the qualifications and
certifications necessary to fill current and anticipated
regional labor market needs.
(5) Demonstration of successful completion of the
program by students and attainment of industry-recognized
qualifications and certifications or college credits. Any
college credits earned should be transcripted and
transferrable.
(6) Pathways for transition of students to a registered
apprenticeship program, postsecondary education program or
employment.
(7) Demonstration of existing qualified program
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personnel or identification of additional personnel needed,
if any, to establish or increase program capacity in order to
meet or contribute to meeting current and anticipated
regional labor market needs.
(8) Description of program curricula.
(c) Priority of applications.--The department shall give
priority to proposals that:
(1) Demonstrate a strong need to build new or existing
program capacity in order to meet or contribute to meeting
current and anticipated regional labor market needs.
(2) Incorporate students from grade nine through
graduation.
(3) Prioritize program completion and transition to
postsecondary training or education or employment.
(4) Involve a partnership between multiple school
districts, employers, organizations or associations.
(5) Demonstrate sustainability by leveraging additional
financial or personnel resources to be used for the program.
(d) Grant distribution.--The department shall award grants
under the program in consultation with the Department of
Education. The department shall consider geographic diversity
when selecting grant recipients.
(e) Limitation.--Grant funds may be used only for the
purposes stated in the grant proposal. Any remaining grant funds
not used for the program shall be returned to the department
within a time period prescribed by the department.
Section 4. Reporting requirements.
(a) Reports to department.--A grant recipient shall be
required to report to the department data related to the
program, including all of the following:
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(1) The numbers of students who entered the program,
successfully completed the program and earned industry-
recognized qualifications, certifications or college credits,
including descriptions and totals of each credential.
(2) The number of students who transitioned to
postsecondary training or education or employment.
(3) Other data deemed relevant or necessary by the
department in consultation with the Department of Education.
(b) Annual reporting.--The department shall provide a report
to the General Assembly within two years of commencement of the
program and annually thereafter for each year the program is in
effect.
Section 5. Funding sources.
(a) General rule.--For the administration of the program,
the department may utilize:
(1) funds appropriated to the department for the
program; and
(2) funds appropriated or made available to the
department, if the use of the funds is consistent with law.
(b) Notice in Pennsylvania Bulletin.--Upon the initial
appropriation of sufficient funds to carry out the provisions of
this act or a determination by the department that sufficient
funds are available to carry out the provisions of this act, the
department shall transmit notice of the appropriation to the
Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania
Bulletin.
Section 6. Expiration.
This act shall expire June 30, 2024, or five years after the
effective date of this section, whichever is later.
Section 7. Effective date.
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This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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