2025 SESSION
SENATE SUBSTITUTE
25105655D
SENATE BILL NO. 1180
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology
on January 22, 2025)
(Patron Prior to SubstituteSenator Hackworth)
A BILL to amend and reenact 2.2-2037 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Workforce Development and Advancement; powers and duties.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That 2.2-2037 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
2.2-2037. Powers and duties of Department.
The Department shall have the power and duty to:
1. Promulgate regulations necessary or incidental to the performance of duties or execution of powers conferred under this chapter.
2. Establish a mission, goals, and objectives for the Department that align with the purpose of this chapter, to create a unified system of workforce development for the Commonwealth.
3. Develop a strategy that shall inform and engage with the business and organized labor communities to coordinate the workforce development programs offered by the Department, identify labor market needs, and ensure alignment of the Department's offerings to the needs of employers and the needs of the Commonwealth.
4. Jointly with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia develop and implement strategies, and collaborate with employers and higher education institutions, to grow and expand the Innovative Internship Program established pursuant to 23.1-903.4. The strategy shall include key measures of success and they shall jointly develop an annual progress report that shall include information on the number of students placed in internship programs, type of internship programs, and the number and type of participating employers. The report shall be delivered to the General Assembly, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Labor annually by September 30.
5. Regularly track metrics relating to workforce development programs and establish a mechanism to help assess the adequacy of Department services and programs.
6. Develop specific strategies or steps the Department will take to modify policies, procedures, or processes to ensure effective and efficient administration of workforce development programs.
7. Develop a strategy for clearly communicating to customers changes to key workforce development programs.
8. Develop a strategy for clearly communicating important workforce development program information to Department staff, the public, and the General Assembly.
9. Identify other tactical actions to be taken to ensure the continuity of workforce development programs and customer service.
10. Ensure that all state workforce development programs and state workforce education and training programs created, implemented, and funded by federal and state resources (i) address an industry need identified on a list of high-demand occupations or fields created by the Department and the Virginia Board of Workforce Development pursuant to 2.2-2472, 23.1-627.3, and 23.1-2911.2 or a regional list developed by the Office of Education and Labor Market Alignment at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and (ii) include a job placement component in their implementation and operating plans, with established job placement goals tracked with placement data collected quarterly that adheres to standards practiced by members of the Virginia Workforce Data Trust. A publicly funded workforce development or workforce education and training program may apply for an exemption from such requirements, and such application shall be reviewed by the Commissioner for approval or disapproval within 45 days of receipt. If the Commissioner does not provide a response within 45 days of receipt of such application, the waiver request shall be deemed approved. If a program is denied an exemption by the Commissioner, such program may appeal the decision to the Secretary of Labor within 10 days of the date of denial by the Commissioner. The Secretary of Labor shall make a final determination regarding the exemption within 30 days of receipt of the appeal.