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 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Jackson
Abstract: Establishes a workforce training pilot initiative to serve public assistance recipients in
certain regions of the state.
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, the state
superintendent of education, and the president of the La. Community and Technical College System,
referred to collectively in proposed law as the "state partners", 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 state partners 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 state partners to establish the pilot initiative to operate and serve participants in the following regions:
(1)The service area of Local Workforce Development Area No. 40 (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 state partner, the partners 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.
(7)Apprenticeship programs.
Proposed law requires the state partners 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 partners 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 the state partners to submit 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)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Change the designation referring to the state entities which will collaborate on the
workforce training and education pilot initiative, collectively, from "the departments" to
"the state partners".
2. Add the La. Community and Technical College System as a partner in the initiative.
3. Add apprenticeship programs to the list of workforce services which could be offered by
the initiative.
4. Provide that the partners, unless prohibited by federal law or regulation, shall share
among the cohort of partners the names and contact information of persons who have
given consent to participate in the initiative.