Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00968 Compare Versions

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	7	+	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 968
	8	+	January Session, 2019
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4		-	Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
5		-
6		-	Public Act No. 19-129
7		-
8		-
9		-	AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MILITARY TO MACH INISTS AND
10		-	VETERANS PLATFORM TO EMPLOYMENT PILOT PRO GRAMS
11		-	AND PROVIDING OTHER EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO
12		-	VETERANS.
	12	+	AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MILITARY TO MACHINISTS PROGRAM
	13	+	FOR VETERANS.
13	14		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
14	15		Assembly convened:
15	16
16		-	Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) (a) As used in this section:
17		-	(1) "Advanced manufacturing" means a manufacturing process that
18		-	makes extensive use of computer, high-precision or information
19		-	technologies integrated with a high-performance work force in a
20		-	production system capable of furnishing a heterogeneous mix of
21		-	products in small or large volumes with either the efficiency of mass
22		-	production or the flexibility of custom manufacturing in order to
23		-	respond quickly to customer demands. "Advanced manufacturing"
24		-	includes newly developed methods to manufacture existing products
25		-	and the manufacture of new products emerging from new advanced
26		-	technologies;
27		-	(2) "Eligible business" means a business that (A) has operations in
28		-	Connecticut, (B) has been registered to conduct business for not less
29		-	than twelve months, and (C) is in good standing with respect to the
30		-	payment of all state and local taxes. "Eligible business" does not
31		-	include the state or any political subdivision thereof; Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
	17	+	Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2019) (a) As used in this 1
	18	+	section: 2
	19	+	(1) "Advanced manufacturing" means a manufacturing process that 3
	20	+	makes extensive use of computer, high-precision or information 4
	21	+	technologies integrated with a high-performance workforce in a 5
	22	+	production system capable of furnishing a heterogeneous mix of 6
	23	+	products in small or large volumes with either the efficiency of mass 7
	24	+	production or the flexibility of custom manufacturing in order to 8
	25	+	respond quickly to customer demands. "Advanced manufacturing" 9
	26	+	includes new ways to manufacture existing products and the 10
	27	+	manufacture of new products emerging from new advanced 11
	28	+	technologies; 12
	29	+	(2) "Public institution of higher education" means the institutions of 13
	30	+	higher education identified in subdivision (2) of section 10a-1 of the 14
	31	+	general statutes; 15
	32	+	(3) "Qualifying advanced manufacturing certificate program" means 16
	33	+	a for-credit or noncredit sub-baccalaureate advanced manufacturing 17
	34	+	certificate program offered by a public institution of higher education 18
	35	+	in which at least seventy-five per cent of the graduates of such 19 Substitute Bill No. 968
32	36
33		-	Public Act No. 19-129 2 of 8
34	37
35		-	(3) "Private occupational school" has the same meaning as provided
36		-	in section 10a-22a of the general statutes;
37		-	(4) "Public institution of higher education" means any of the
38		-	institutions of higher education identified in subdivision (2) of section
39		-	10a-1 of the general statutes;
40		-	(5) "Qualifying advanced manufacturing certificate program" means
41		-	a for-credit or noncredit sub-baccalaureate advanced manufacturing
42		-	certificate program offered by a public institution of higher education
43		-	or a private occupational school in which at least seventy-five per cent
44		-	of the graduates of such certificate program are employed in a field
45		-	related to or requiring such certificate in the year following
46		-	graduation; and
47		-	(6) "Veteran" means any person (A) honorably discharged from, or
48		-	released under honorable conditions from active service in, the armed
49		-	forces, as defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes, or (B) with a
50		-	qualifying condition, as defined in section 27-103 of the general
51		-	statutes, who has received a discharge other than bad conduct or
52		-	dishonorable from active service in the armed forces.
53		-	(b) Not later than October 1, 2019, the work force development
54		-	board for the southwest work force development region of the state
55		-	shall develop and operate a pilot program to be known as the Military
56		-	to Machinists program for veterans. The program shall assist any
57		-	veteran in a region served by the pilot program in (1) earning an
58		-	advanced manufacturing certificate from a qualifying advanced
59		-	manufacturing certificate program, and (2) securing employment in
60		-	the field of advanced manufacturing with any eligible business after
61		-	such veteran has obtained an advanced manufacturing certificate.
62		-	(c) (1) The work force development board for the southwest work
63		-	force development region of the state shall designate an appropriate Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
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65		-	Public Act No. 19-129 3 of 8
	42	+	certificate program are employed in a field related to or requiring such 20
	43	+	certificate in the year following such students' graduation; 21
	44	+	(4) "Department" means the Labor Department; 22
	45	+	(5) "Program" means the Military to Machinists program established 23
	46	+	under subsection (b) of this section; 24
	47	+	(6) "Veteran" has the same meaning as provided in subsection (a) of 25
	48	+	section 27-103 of the general statutes; and 26
	49	+	(7) "Eligible business" means a business that (A) has operations in 27
	50	+	Connecticut, (B) has been registered to conduct business for not less 28
	51	+	than twelve months, and (C) is in good standing with the payment of 29
	52	+	all state and local taxes. "Eligible business" does not include the state or 30
	53	+	any political subdivision thereof. 31
	54	+	(b) There is established within the Labor Department a Military to 32
	55	+	Machinists program for veterans. The program shall, within existing 33
	56	+	resources of the department, provide assistance to any veteran in (1) 34
	57	+	earning an advanced manufacturing certificate from a qualifying 35
	58	+	advanced manufacturing certificate program of a public institution of 36
	59	+	higher education, and (2) securing employment in the field of 37
	60	+	advanced manufacturing with any eligible business. The assistance 38
	61	+	described in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be provided to any 39
	62	+	veteran only if such veteran first obtains an advanced manufacturing 40
	63	+	certificate from a qualifying advanced manufacturing certificate 41
	64	+	program of a public institution of higher education. 42
	65	+	(c) (1) The Labor Commissioner shall designate employees of the 43
	66	+	department's Office for Veterans Workforce Development to act as 44
	67	+	liaisons, in a number deemed appropriate by the commissioner, and 45
	68	+	each liaison shall provide the assistance described in subsection (b) of 46
	69	+	this section to any veteran on behalf of the program. 47
	70	+	(2) In connection with providing the assistance described in 48
	71	+	subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, each liaison designated 49 Substitute Bill No. 968
66	72
67		-	number of employees, as determined by the board, to act as liaisons,
68		-	and each liaison shall provide the assistance described in subsection
69		-	(b) of this section on behalf of the program.
70		-	(2) In connection with providing the assistance described in
71		-	subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, each liaison designated
72		-	pursuant to this subsection shall also assist a veteran served by the
73		-	program to obtain funding for the cost of attending a qualifying
74		-	advanced manufacturing certificate program. Such funding may
75		-	include, but need not be limited to, (A) tuition waivers under sections
76		-	10a-77 and 10a-99 of the general statutes, and (B) expenditures from
77		-	the Workforce Training Authority Fund under section 31-11jj of the
78		-	general statutes.
79		-	(3) In connection with providing the assistance described in
80		-	subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section, each liaison designated
81		-	pursuant to this subsection shall also assist any eligible business to
82		-	apply for (A) a grant under section 31-3uu of the general statutes, and
83		-	(B) tax credits under section 12-217g of the general statutes, if
84		-	applicable.
85		-	(d) The work force development board for the southwest work force
86		-	development region of the state shall operate the pilot program within
87		-	its work force development region. The board may offer the program
88		-	in other work force development regions in the state, in conjunction
89		-	with the appropriate regional work force development board.
90		-	(e) Not later than February 1, 2020, the work force development
91		-	board for the southwest work force development region of the state
92		-	shall develop or approve promotional materials describing the pilot
93		-	program and the various opportunities and benefits that the program
94		-	may provide for veterans in the state. The board shall distribute such
95		-	materials to qualified veterans' charitable organizations, as described
96		-	in subsection (b) of section 27-100f of the general statutes, and Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
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98		-	Public Act No. 19-129 4 of 8
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100		-	Operation Academic Support for Incoming Service Members centers.
101		-	The board shall revise and redistribute the materials as the board
102		-	deems appropriate.
103		-	(f) Not later than February 1, 2020, and annually thereafter until the
104		-	pilot program is terminated, the work force development board for the
105		-	southwest work force development region of the state shall report on
106		-	the operation of the pilot program and its recommendation to
107		-	continue, discontinue or expand the program. Such report shall
108		-	include measures of the effectiveness of the program, including, but
109		-	not be limited to, data on the (1) number of veterans served by the
110		-	pilot program; (2) number of veterans pursuing or earning advanced
111		-	manufacturing certificates through the program and the type and
112		-	amount of funding assistance received by the veterans; and (3) number
113		-	of veterans securing employment in the field of advanced
114		-	manufacturing with an eligible business through the program, the
115		-	salaries earned by such veterans, the number of such veterans
116		-	retaining employment in advanced manufacturing over time and the
117		-	number and amount of grants and tax credits received by eligible
118		-	businesses hiring such veterans. The board shall submit the report, in
119		-	accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes,
120		-	to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
121		-	cognizance of matters relating to veterans' affairs.
122		-	Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) (a) Not later than October 1,
123		-	2019, the work force development board for the southwest work force
124		-	development region of the state shall develop and operate a pilot
125		-	program to be known as the Veterans Platform to Employment
126		-	Program. The program shall provide training and subsidized
127		-	employment for veterans who have experienced long -term
128		-	unemployment in a similar manner to the Platform to Employment
129		-	Program currently operated by such board. The pilot program shall
130		-	provide veterans in a region served by the program with (1) a Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
	78	+	pursuant to this subsection shall also assist any veteran to obtain 50
	79	+	funding for the cost of attendance at a public institution of higher 51
	80	+	education's qualifying advanced manufacturing certificate program. 52
	81	+	Such funding may include (A) tuition waivers under sections 10a-77 53
	82	+	and 10a-99 of the general statutes, and (B) expenditures from the 54
	83	+	Workforce Training Authority Fund under section 31-11jj of the 55
	84	+	general statutes. 56
	85	+	(3) In connection with providing the assistance described in 57
	86	+	subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section, each liaison designated 58
	87	+	pursuant to this subsection shall also help any eligible business apply 59
	88	+	for (A) a grant under section 31-3uu of the general statutes, and (B) tax 60
	89	+	credits under section 12-217g of the general statutes, if applicable. 61
	90	+	(d) Not later than January 1, 2020, and annually thereafter, the 62
	91	+	Labor Department shall, within existing resources of the department, 63
	92	+	develop or approve, in conjunction with the Department of Veterans 64
	93	+	Affairs and the Department of Economic and Community 65
	94	+	Development, an informational campaign to distribute to qualified 66
	95	+	veterans' charitable organizations, as described in subsection (b) of 67
	96	+	section 27-100f of the general statutes, and Operation Academic 68
	97	+	Support for Incoming Service Members centers. The informational 69
	98	+	campaign shall include a description of the program and shall address 70
	99	+	the various opportunities and benefits that the program may provide 71
	100	+	for veterans in this state. 72
	101	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	102	+	sections:
131	103
132		-	~~Public Act No.~~ ~~19-129~~ ~~5 of 8~~
	104	+	Section 1 October 1, 2019 New section
133	105
134		-	preparatory program that includes services such as skills assessments,
135		-	career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs and
136		-	coaching, and (2) employment assistance that includes identifying
137		-	positions at local employers and providing subsidies to employers that
138		-	hire veterans for trial work experiences that may lead to continued
139		-	employment. The pilot program may offer additional services to assist
140		-	veterans, including personal and family support services and financial
141		-	counseling. As used in this section, "veteran" means any person (A)
142		-	honorably discharged from, or released under honorable conditions
143		-	from active service in, the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103 of
144		-	the general statutes, or (B) with a qualifying condition, as defined in
145		-	section 27-103 of the general statutes, who has received a discharge
146		-	other than bad conduct or dishonorable from active service in the
147		-	armed forces.
148		-	(b) The work force development board for the southwest work force
149		-	development region of the state shall operate the pilot program within
150		-	its work force development region. The board may offer the program
151		-	in other work force development regions in the state, in conjunction
152		-	with the appropriate regional work force development board.
153		-	(c) Not later than February 1, 2020, and annually thereafter until the
154		-	pilot program is terminated, the work force development board for the
155		-	southwest work force development region of the state shall submit a
156		-	report on the operation of the pilot program and its recommendation
157		-	to continue, discontinue or expand the program. Such report shall
158		-	include measures of the effectiveness of the program, including, but
159		-	not limited to, data on the (1) number of veterans served by the
160		-	program, (2) number of veterans placed with employers by the
161		-	program and the salaries earned by such veterans, and (3) number of
162		-	such veterans retaining employment over time. The board shall submit
163		-	the report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the
164		-	general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
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166		-	Public Act No. 19-129 6 of 8
167		-
168		-	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to veterans' affairs.
169		-	Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) Not later than October 1, 2019,
170		-	the work force development board for the southwest work force
171		-	development region of the state shall identify appropriate written
172		-	materials to distribute to employers on the topic of mental health
173		-	conditions common to veterans, including post-traumatic stress
174		-	disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief. Such materials shall
175		-	provide guidance on (1) identifying the signs and symptoms of such
176		-	mental health conditions, and (2) assisting employees who are veterans
177		-	and who exhibit such signs and symptoms in the workplace. The
178		-	board shall distribute such materials to employers participating in or
179		-	who may participate in the pilot programs established under sections 1
180		-	and 2 of this act, and may distribute the materials to other employers
181		-	that may hire veterans.
182		-	Sec. 4. Section 31-3w of the general statutes is repealed and the
183		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
184		-	(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Labor
185		-	Commissioner, in exercise of any duties including any duties as
186		-	administrator under chapter 567, shall, within available resources,
187		-	maintain a state-wide network of job centers which provide to
188		-	workers, students and employers comprehensive workforce
189		-	development assistance, including, but not limited to, the following:
190		-	(1) Unemployment compensation, retraining allowances and other
191		-	forms of federal and state income support;
192		-	(2) Career, labor market, educational and job training information,
193		-	and consumer reports on local training providers;
194		-	(3) Career planning and job search assistance;
195		-	(4) Applicant recruitment and screening, assessment of training Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
196		-
197		-	Public Act No. 19-129 7 of 8
198		-
199		-	needs, customized job training pursuant to this chapter, apprenticeship
200		-	programs pursuant to chapter 557 and related consultative services to
201		-	employers based on their employment needs;
202		-	(5) Eligibility determinations and referrals to providers of
203		-	employment and training services; and
204		-	(6) Access to information regarding job openings and, where
205		-	appropriate, referral to such openings.
206		-	(b) In carrying out responsibilities under this section, the
207		-	commissioner shall:
208		-	(1) Collaborate with the Connecticut Employment and Training
209		-	Commission established pursuant to section 31-3h and the regional
210		-	workforce development boards established pursuant to section 31-3k;
211		-	(2) Promote coordination of service delivery and collaboration with
212		-	other public and private providers of education, human services and
213		-	employment and training services, including, but not limited to, adult
214		-	education and literacy providers;
215		-	(3) Consult with the Commissioner of Economic and Community
216		-	Development to ensure coordination of service delivery to employers;
217		-	(4) Conduct outreach to employers and trade associations to ensure
218		-	that services meet the needs of business and industry; and
219		-	(5) Develop a comprehensive job training assistance application for
220		-	employer-based training services and programs that allows the
221		-	applicant to apply for any such assistance offered by the state in one
222		-	application.
223		-	(c) (1) When contacted by a veteran who is in need of employment
224		-	or work force development services, the department shall (A)
225		-	determine whether the veteran resides closer to a work force Substitute Senate Bill No. 968
226		-
227		-	Public Act No. 19-129 8 of 8
228		-
229		-	development board facility with a veterans unit than to a department
230		-	facility offering such employment or work force development
231		-	assistance and, if so, provide the veteran with contact information for
232		-	the work force development board, and (B) provide a veteran who
233		-	expresses an interest in advanced manufacturing, as defined in section
234		-	1 of this act, with information on the Military to Machinists program
235		-	operated pursuant to section 1 of this act, if such veteran may be
236		-	eligible for services from such program.
237		-	(2) For purposes of this subsection, "veteran" means any person (A)
238		-	honorably discharged from, or released under honorable conditions
239		-	from active service in, the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, or
240		-	(B) with a qualifying condition, as defined in section 27-103, who has
241		-	received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from
242		-	active service in the armed forces.
	107	+	VA Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO
	108	+	APP Joint Favorable
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