DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 9

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CREATION OF A WORK A DAY EARN A PAY PUBLIC WORKS JOBS PROGRAM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Subchapter I-A, Chapter 50, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

Subchapter I-A. Delaware State Housing Authority Work a Day Earn a Pay Public Works Jobs Program.

§§ 5020 -5026. Findings and purpose; definitions; transfer and establishment; powers and duties; housing director; division of housing; council on housing; transition provisions.

§ 5021. Short Title.

This subchapter may be known and cited as the “Work a Day Earn a Pay Public Works Jobs Program Act.”

§ 5022. Statement of purpose.

On December 9, 2015, the Work a Day Earn a Pay Task Force issued a report recommending that the State establish a Work a Day Earn a Pay (WDEP) Public Works Jobs Program. The WDEP Public Works Jobs Program is intended to be a State sponsored program aimed at unemployed workers in this State and at young adults entering the work force in the State. The goal of the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program is to provide entry-level positions for inexperienced or unemployed workers on public works projects. The WDEP Public Works Jobs Program is being created to reduce current unemployment rates and income disparities, aid economically disadvantaged populations, and help reduce crime rates in areas and among populations with high rates of unemployment.

§ 5023. Work a Day Earn a Pay Public Works Jobs Program.

(a) The General Assembly may appropriate funding for the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program in an amount not to exceed $2 million annually from the State Strategic Fund.

(b) The WDEP Public Works Jobs Program shall, at a minimum, do all of following:

(1) Offer employment to unemployed, at-risk, or disadvantaged individuals that may experience barriers to employment opportunities.

(2) Be open to Delaware residents ages 17 and older, who are drug and alcohol free.

(3) Implement the recommendations in the report of the WDEP Task Force.

(4) Provide temporary employment in areas such as public works projects, litter control, river and stream cleanup projects, park cleanup projects, and housing renovation and improvement projects.

(5) Teach participants tangible job skills.

(6) Partner with non-profit agencies in each county.

(7) Partner with government agencies.

(8) Encourage private sector companies to participate in and be active partners in the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program.

(9) Lay the groundwork for a sustainable long-term WDEP Public Works Jobs Program.

(c) The Council on Development Finance, established under § 5007 of this title, shall provide oversight and direction for the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program. The Council may delegate the administration of the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program to one or more non-profit agencies. The Council shall accept grant applications from qualified non-profit organizations beginning on October 1, 2017, and shall make grant awards on or before March 30, 2018, and each year thereafter, contingent upon funding.

(d) The Council shall be responsible for developing measurable goals and objectives for the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program. The Council shall track the measurable progress of the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program. Any state agencies involved in the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program shall fully cooperate with and provide data and information to assist the Council in carrying out its duties.

(e) The Council shall prepare an annual report on the WDEP Public Works Jobs Program to the Governor and members of the General Assembly. The annual report must detail progress toward the goals and objectives and implementation of this Act. The annual report must also identify barriers to achieving the goals of the Program along with the effective strategies and policies that can help overcome the barriers and realize the goals of the Program. All state agencies shall cooperate with the Council on the creation and dissemination of the report.

(f) The Council shall accept and administer grant monies.

(g) In furtherance of its function, the Council shall accept and receive funds, grants, and services from any of the following: the federal government or its agencies; departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of state or local government; or private and civic sources.

SYNOPSIS

This Act is intended to implement the recommendations in the December 9, 2015 Report of the Work A Day Earn A Pay Task Force. The Act will create a Work A Day Earn A Pay Public Works Jobs Program in Delaware.

Author: Senator Marshall