DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 735 Original 2018 Regular Session Jackson
Abstract: Establishes a workforce training pilot initiative to serve public assistance recipients in
certain regions.
Proposed law defines "public assistance", for purposes of proposed law, as any of the following:
(1)Cash benefits of the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program administered by
the Dept. of Children and Family Services.
(2)Cash benefits of the Kinship Care Subsidy Program administered by the Dept. of Children
and Family Services.
(3)Nutrition assistance benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administered
by the Dept. of Children and Family Services.
(4)Medical assistance pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act through the program
commonly known as Medicaid administered by the La. Dept. of Health.
(5)Child care assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program administered by the La.
Dept. of Education.
Proposed law requires the executive director of the La. Workforce Commission, the secretary of the
Dept. of Children and Family Services, the secretary of the La. Dept. of Health, and the state
superintendent of education to collaborate to design and implement a workforce training and
education pilot initiative for public assistance recipients. Provides that the initiative's purposes are
to improve employment opportunities for and promote workforce advancement.
Proposed law provides that the executive director of the La. Workforce Commission shall lead
coordination of the pilot initiative.
Proposed law requires the departments collaborating in the pilot initiative to design the initiative's
operations and system of services in such a manner as to facilitate replication of the program in all
regions of the state.
Proposed law requires the departments to establish the pilot initiative to operate and serve
participants in the following regions: (1)The service area of the Fourth Planning District Consortium (Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia,
Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion parishes).
(2)The service area of the Franklin Parish Consortium (Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin,
Jackson, Madison, Morehouse, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll parishes).
(3)The service area of the Ouachita Parish Workforce Investment Board (Ouachita parish).
Proposed law provides that, if agreed to by the head of each department, the departments may expand
the geographic service area of the pilot initiative beyond the regions specified above.
Proposed law stipulates that participation in the pilot initiative shall be strictly voluntary.
Proposed law provides that work supports and workforce education services provided by the pilot
initiative may include, without limitation, any of the following:
(1)Job referral services.
(2)Job skills development.
(3)Job support services.
(4)Career planning.
(5)Job training.
(6)Workforce readiness.
Proposed law requires the departments collaborating in the pilot initiative to do all of the following:
(1)Enter into any memoranda of understanding, cooperative endeavors, or other types of
agreements between and among the departments as may be necessary to administer the
initiative.
(2)Promulgate and issue such forms as are necessary to inform prospective participants of the
initiative's purpose and functions, and to obtain participants' consent to participate in the
initiative.
(3)Collaborate to promote the initiative among their respective clients, business groups and
organizations, community-based groups and organizations, faith-based groups and
organizations, and the public generally.
Proposed law requires annual reports providing a summary and evaluation of the pilot initiative's
outcomes to the legislative committees on labor and industrial relations, and to the legislative
committees on health and welfare. (Adds R.S. 46:351-356)