Kansas House Bill HB2774

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/24
• Refer: 2/8/24
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Creating the Kansas workforce pathway act, establishing the office of workforce pathways within the department of commerce and the Kansas council on workforce pathways, providing for a system for linking and analyzing data and statistics concerning Kansas workforce for the benefit of the public, legislature and state agencies and a free, searchable public online registry of educational and occupational credentials.

Impact

The bill intends to impact state laws by facilitating the secure exchange of individual-level education and workforce data among state agencies, thereby enhancing the state’s capability to inform and improve workforce development programs. Moreover, it also establishes rigorous measures to protect personally identifiable information, preventing unauthorized data release and establishing protocols to manage data breaches effectively. By doing so, it aims to foster public trust in the state's capacity to handle sensitive information while improving workforce analytics.

Summary

House Bill 2774, known as the Kansas Workforce Pathway Act, proposes the establishment of the office of workforce pathways within the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Council on Workforce Pathways. The main aim of this legislation is to create an integrated system for linking and analyzing both educational and workforce data relevant to Kansas. This system is designed to enhance the availability of information regarding workforce development and education-to-employment transitions, ultimately benefiting the public, legislators, and state agencies. A significant component is the establishment of a free, searchable online registry for educational and occupational credentials.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2774 may revolve around the implications for personal privacy and data security. While the bill emphasizes the importance of data security and establishes legal protections, apprehensions regarding governmental overreach into personal educational and employment records may still arise. Furthermore, discussions about the operational effectiveness of the Office of Workforce Pathways and the Kansas Council on Workforce Pathways could highlight concerns over transparency and accountability in managing and utilizing the collected data.