Florida Senate - 2015 CS for SB 7002
By the Committees on Fiscal Policy; and Commerce and Tourism
594-03399A-15 20157002c1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to workforce services; renaming
3 Workforce Florida, Inc., as CareerSource Florida,
4 Inc.; amending ss. 11.45, 20.60, 216.136, 218.077,
5 288.047, 288.0656, 288.1252, 288.901, 288.903, 295.22,
6 320.20, 331.3051, 331.369, 403.973, 409.1451, 413.405,
7 413.407, 414.045, 414.105, 414.106, 414.295, 414.55,
8 420.622, 443.091, 443.171, 443.181, 445.003, 445.004,
9 445.006, 445.007, 445.0071, 445.008, 445.009, 445.011,
10 445.014, 445.016, 445.021, 445.022, 445.024, 445.026,
11 445.028, 445.030, 445.033, 445.035, 445.038, 445.045,
12 445.048, 445.051, 445.055, 446.41, 446.50, 1003.491,
13 1003.492, 1003.493, 1003.51, 1003.52, 1004.015,
14 1011.80, and 1011.801, F.S.; conforming provisions to
15 changes made by the act; making technical changes;
16 creating a task force on preparation for the state’s
17 implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and
18 Opportunity Act; providing membership and duties of
19 the task force; requiring the task force to submit a
20 report and recommendations for approval by
21 CareerSource Florida, Inc.; requiring CareerSource
22 Florida, Inc., to submit a specified state plan to the
23 United States Department of Labor; providing for
24 abolishment of the task force; providing an effective
25 date.
26
27 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
28
29 Section 1. Paragraph (q) of subsection (3) of section
30 11.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
31 11.45 Definitions; duties; authorities; reports; rules.—
32 (3) AUTHORITY FOR AUDITS AND OTHER ENGAGEMENTS.—The Auditor
33 General may, pursuant to his or her own authority, or at the
34 direction of the Legislative Auditing Committee, conduct audits
35 or other engagements as determined appropriate by the Auditor
36 General of:
37 (q) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or
38 the programs or entities created by CareerSource Florida, Inc.
39 Workforce Florida, Inc., created pursuant to s. 445.004.
40 Section 2. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (5) and
41 subsections (6) and (11) of section 20.60, Florida Statutes, are
42 amended to read:
43 20.60 Department of Economic Opportunity; creation; powers
44 and duties.—
45 (5) The divisions within the department have specific
46 responsibilities to achieve the duties, responsibilities, and
47 goals of the department. Specifically:
48 (a) The Division of Strategic Business Development shall:
49 1. Analyze and evaluate business prospects identified by
50 the Governor, the executive director of the department, and
51 Enterprise Florida, Inc.
52 2. Administer certain tax refund, tax credit, and grant
53 programs created in law. Notwithstanding any other provision of
54 law, the department may expend interest earned from the
55 investment of program funds deposited in the Grants and
56 Donations Trust Fund to contract for the administration of those
57 programs, or portions of the programs, assigned to the
58 department by law, by the appropriations process, or by the
59 Governor. Such expenditures shall be subject to review under
60 chapter 216.
61 3. Develop measurement protocols for the state incentive
62 programs and for the contracted entities which will be used to
63 determine their performance and competitive value to the state.
64 Performance measures, benchmarks, and sanctions must be
65 developed in consultation with the legislative appropriations
66 committees and the appropriate substantive committees, and are
67 subject to the review and approval process provided in s.
68 216.177. The approved performance measures, standards, and
69 sanctions shall be included and made a part of the strategic
70 plan for contracts entered into for delivery of programs
71 authorized by this section.
72 4. Develop a 5-year statewide strategic plan. The strategic
73 plan must include, but need not be limited to:
74 a. Strategies for the promotion of business formation,
75 expansion, recruitment, and retention through aggressive
76 marketing, international development, and export assistance,
77 which lead to more and better jobs and higher wages for all
78 geographic regions, disadvantaged communities, and populations
79 of the state, including rural areas, minority businesses, and
80 urban core areas.
81 b. The development of realistic policies and programs to
82 further the economic diversity of the state, its regions, and
83 their associated industrial clusters.
84 c. Specific provisions for the stimulation of economic
85 development and job creation in rural areas and midsize cities
86 and counties of the state, including strategies for rural
87 marketing and the development of infrastructure in rural areas.
88 d. Provisions for the promotion of the successful long-term
89 economic development of the state with increased emphasis in
90 market research and information.
91 e. Plans for the generation of foreign investment in the
92 state which create jobs paying above-average wages and which
93 result in reverse investment in the state, including programs
94 that establish viable overseas markets, assist in meeting the
95 financing requirements of export-ready firms, broaden
96 opportunities for international joint venture relationships, use
97 the resources of academic and other institutions, coordinate
98 trade assistance and facilitation services, and facilitate
99 availability of and access to education and training programs
100 that assure requisite skills and competencies necessary to
101 compete successfully in the global marketplace.
102 f. The identification of business sectors that are of
103 current or future importance to the state’s economy and to the
104 state’s global business image, and development of specific
105 strategies to promote the development of such sectors.
106 g. Strategies for talent development necessary in the state
107 to encourage economic development growth, taking into account
108 factors such as the state’s talent supply chain, education and
109 training opportunities, and available workforce.
110 5. Update the strategic plan every 5 years.
111 6. Involve Enterprise Florida, Inc.; CareerSource Florida,
112 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.; local governments; the general
113 public; local and regional economic development organizations;
114 other local, state, and federal economic, international, and
115 workforce development entities; the business community; and
116 educational institutions to assist with the strategic plan.
117 (c) The Division of Workforce Services shall:
118 1. Prepare and submit a unified budget request for
119 workforce development in accordance with chapter 216 for, and in
120 conjunction with, CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
121 Inc., and its board.
122 2. Ensure that the state appropriately administers federal
123 and state workforce funding by administering plans and policies
124 of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., under
125 contract with CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
126 The operating budget and midyear amendments thereto must be part
127 of such contract.
128 a. All program and fiscal instructions to regional
129 workforce boards shall emanate from the Department of Economic
130 Opportunity pursuant to plans and policies of CareerSource
131 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., which shall be
132 responsible for all policy directions to the regional workforce
133 boards.
134 b. Unless otherwise provided by agreement with CareerSource
135 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., administrative and
136 personnel policies of the Department of Economic Opportunity
137 shall apply.
138 3. Implement the state’s reemployment assistance program.
139 The Department of Economic Opportunity shall ensure that the
140 state appropriately administers the reemployment assistance
141 program pursuant to state and federal law.
142 4. Assist in developing the 5-year statewide strategic plan
143 required by this section.
144 (6)(a) The Department of Economic Opportunity is the
145 administrative agency designated for receipt of federal
146 workforce development grants and other federal funds. The
147 department shall administer the duties and responsibilities
148 assigned by the Governor under each federal grant assigned to
149 the department. The department shall expend each revenue source
150 as provided by federal and state law and as provided in plans
151 developed by and agreements with CareerSource Florida, Inc.
152 Workforce Florida, Inc. The department may serve as the contract
153 administrator for contracts entered into by CareerSource
154 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., pursuant to s.
155 445.004(5), as directed by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
156 Florida, Inc.
157 (b) The Department of Economic Opportunity shall serve as
158 the designated agency for purposes of each federal workforce
159 development grant assigned to it for administration. The
160 department shall carry out the duties assigned to it by the
161 Governor, under the terms and conditions of each grant. The
162 department shall have the level of authority and autonomy
163 necessary to be the designated recipient of each federal grant
164 assigned to it, and shall disburse such grants pursuant to the
165 plans and policies of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
166 Florida, Inc. The executive director may, upon delegation from
167 the Governor and pursuant to agreement with CareerSource
168 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., sign contracts, grants,
169 and other instruments as necessary to execute functions assigned
170 to the department. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, the
171 department shall administer other programs funded by federal or
172 state appropriations, as determined by the Legislature in the
173 General Appropriations Act or other by law.
174 (11) The department shall establish annual performance
175 standards for Enterprise Florida, Inc., CareerSource Florida,
176 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., the Florida Tourism Industry
177 Marketing Corporation, and Space Florida and report annually on
178 how these performance measures are being met in the annual
179 report required under subsection (10).
180 Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section
181 216.136, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
182 216.136 Consensus estimating conferences; duties and
183 principals.—
184 (7) WORKFORCE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE.—
185 (b) The Workforce Estimating Conference shall review data
186 concerning the local and regional demands for short-term and
187 long-term employment in High-Skills/High-Wage Program jobs, as
188 well as other jobs, which data is generated through surveys
189 conducted as part of the state’s Internet-based job matching and
190 labor market information system authorized under s. 445.011. The
191 conference shall consider this such data in developing its
192 forecasts for statewide employment demand, including reviewing
193 the local and regional data for common trends and conditions
194 among localities or regions which may warrant inclusion of a
195 particular occupation on the statewide occupational forecasting
196 list developed by the conference. Based upon its review of such
197 survey data, the conference shall also make recommendations
198 semiannually to CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
199 Inc., on additions or deletions to lists of locally targeted
200 occupations approved by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
201 Florida, Inc.
202 Section 4. Subsections (5) and (6) of section 218.077,
203 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
204 218.077 Wage and employment benefits requirements by
205 political subdivisions; restrictions.—
206 (5)(a) There is created the Employer-Sponsored Benefits
207 Study Task Force. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall provide
208 administrative and staff support services relating to the
209 functions of the task force. The task force shall organize by
210 September 1, 2013. The task force shall be composed of 11
211 members. The President of Workforce Florida, Inc., shall serve
212 as a member and chair of the task force. The Speaker of the
213 House of Representatives shall appoint one member who is an
214 economist with a background in business economics. The President
215 of the Senate shall appoint one member who is a physician
216 licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 with at least 5 years
217 of experience in the active practice of medicine. In addition,
218 the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
219 Representatives shall each appoint four additional members to
220 the task force. The four appointments from the President of the
221 Senate and the four appointments from the Speaker of the House
222 of Representatives must each include:
223 1. A member of the Legislature.
224 2. An owner of a business in this state which employs fewer
225 than 50 people.
226 3. An owner or representative of a business in this state
227 which employs more than 50 people.
228 4. A representative of an organization who represents the
229 nonmanagement employees of a business.
230 (b) Members of the task force shall serve without
231 compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and
232 travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061.
233 (c) The purpose of the task force is to analyze employment
234 benefits and the impact of state preemption of the regulation of
235 such benefits. The task force shall develop a report that
236 includes its findings and recommendations for legislative action
237 regarding the regulation of employment benefits. The task force
238 shall submit the report to the Governor, the President of the
239 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
240 January 15, 2014.
241 (d) This subsection is repealed June 30, 2014.
242 (5)(6) This section does not prohibit a federally
243 authorized and recognized tribal government from requiring
244 employment benefits for a person employed within a territory
245 over which the tribe has jurisdiction.
246 Section 5. Section 288.047, Florida Statutes, is amended to
247 read:
248 288.047 Quick-response training for economic development.—
249 (1) The Quick-Response Training Program is created to meet
250 the workforce-skill needs of existing, new, and expanding
251 industries. The program shall be administered by CareerSource
252 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., in conjunction with
253 Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Department of Education.
254 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall adopt
255 guidelines for the administration of this program,. Workforce
256 Florida, Inc., shall provide technical services, and shall
257 identify businesses that seek services through the program.
258 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may contract
259 with Enterprise Florida, Inc., or administer this program
260 directly, if it is determined that such an arrangement maximizes
261 the amount of the Quick Response grant going to direct services.
262 (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
263 shall ensure that instruction funded pursuant to this section is
264 not available through the local community college or school
265 district and that the instruction promotes economic development
266 by providing specialized training to new workers or retraining
267 for current employees to meet changing skill requirements caused
268 by new technology or new product lines and to prevent potential
269 layoffs. Such funds may not be expended to provide training for
270 instruction related to retail businesses or to reimburse
271 businesses for trainee wages. Funds made available pursuant to
272 this section may not be expended in connection with the
273 relocation of a business from one community to another community
274 in this state unless CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
275 Florida, Inc., determines that, in the absence of without such
276 relocation, the business will move outside this state or
277 determines that the business has a compelling economic rationale
278 for the relocation which creates additional jobs.
279 (3) Requests for funding may be submitted to through the
280 Quick-Response Training Program by may be produced through
281 inquiries from a specific business or industry, through
282 inquiries from a school district director of career education or
283 community college occupational dean on behalf of a business or
284 industry, or through official state or local economic
285 development efforts. In allocating funds for the purposes of the
286 program, CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
287 shall establish criteria for approval of requests for funding
288 and shall select the entity that provides the most efficient,
289 cost-effective instruction meeting such criteria. Program funds
290 may be allocated to a any career center, community college, or
291 state university. Program funds may be allocated to private
292 postsecondary institutions only after upon a review that
293 includes, but is not limited to, accreditation and licensure
294 documentation and prior approval by CareerSource Florida, Inc.
295 Workforce Florida, Inc. Instruction funded through the program
296 must terminate when participants demonstrate competence at the
297 level specified in the request; however, the grant term may not
298 exceed 24 months. Costs and expenditures for the Quick-Response
299 Training Program must be documented and separated from those
300 incurred by the training provider.
301 (4) For the first 6 months of each fiscal year,
302 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall set
303 aside 30 percent of the amount appropriated by the Legislature
304 for the Quick-Response Training Program by the Legislature to
305 fund instructional programs for businesses located in an
306 enterprise zone or brownfield area. Any unencumbered funds
307 remaining undisbursed from this set-aside at the end of the 6
308 month period may be used to provide funding for a any program
309 that qualifies qualifying for funding pursuant to this section.
310 (5) Prior to the allocation of funds for a any request made
311 pursuant to this section, CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
312 Florida, Inc., shall prepare a grant agreement between the
313 business or industry requesting funds, the educational
314 institution receiving funding through the program, and
315 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc. Such
316 agreement must include, but is not limited to:
317 (a) An identification of the personnel necessary to conduct
318 the instructional program, the qualifications of such personnel,
319 and the respective responsibilities of the parties for paying
320 costs associated with the employment of such personnel.
321 (b) An identification of the estimated length of the
322 instructional program.
323 (c) An identification of all direct, training-related
324 costs, including tuition and fees, curriculum development, books
325 and classroom materials, and overhead or indirect costs, not to
326 exceed 5 percent of the grant amount.
327 (d) An identification of special program requirements that
328 are not addressed otherwise in the agreement.
329 (e) Permission to access information specific to the wages
330 and performance of participants upon the completion of
331 instruction for evaluation purposes. Information which, if
332 released, would disclose the identity of the person to whom the
333 information pertains or disclose the identity of the person’s
334 employer is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.
335 119.07(1). The agreement must specify that any evaluations
336 published subsequent to the instruction may not identify the
337 employer or any individual participant.
338 (6) For the purposes of this section, CareerSource Florida,
339 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may accept grants of money,
340 materials, services, or property of any kind from any agency,
341 corporation, or individual.
342 (7) In providing instruction pursuant to this section,
343 materials that relate to methods of manufacture or production,
344 potential trade secrets, business transactions, or proprietary
345 information received, produced, ascertained, or discovered by
346 employees of the respective departments, district school boards,
347 community college district boards of trustees, or other
348 personnel employed for the purposes of this section is
349 confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). The
350 state may seek copyright protection for all instructional
351 materials and ancillary written documents developed wholly or
352 partially with state funds as a result of instruction provided
353 pursuant to this section, except for materials that are
354 confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
355 (8) The There is created a Quick-Response Training Program
356 is created to provide assistance to for participants in the
357 welfare transition program. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
358 Florida, Inc., may award quick-response training grants and
359 develop applicable guidelines for the training of participants
360 in the welfare transition program. In addition to a local
361 economic development organization, grants must be endorsed by
362 the applicable regional workforce board.
363 (a) Training funded pursuant to this subsection may not
364 exceed 12 months, and may be provided by the local community
365 college, school district, regional workforce board, or the
366 business employing the participant, including on-the-job
367 training. Training will provide entry-level skills to new
368 workers, including those employed in retail, who are
369 participants in the welfare transition program.
370 (b) Participants trained pursuant to this subsection must
371 be employed at a job paying at least wage not less than $6 per
372 hour.
373 (c) Funds made available pursuant to this subsection may be
374 expended in connection with the relocation of a business from
375 one community to another community if approved by CareerSource
376 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
377 (9) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, eligible
378 matching contributions received under this section from the
379 Quick-Response Training Program under this section may be
380 counted toward the private sector support of Enterprise Florida,
381 Inc., under s. 288.904.
382 (10) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
383 and Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall coordinate and cooperate
384 ensure maximum coordination and cooperation in administering
385 this section so, in such a manner that any division of
386 responsibility between the two organizations which relates to
387 marketing or administering the Quick-Response Training Program
388 is not apparent to a business that inquires about or applies for
389 funding under this section. A business shall be provided with a
390 single point of contact for information and assistance.
391 Section 6. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
392 288.0656, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
393 288.0656 Rural Economic Development Initiative.—
394 (6)(a) By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the
395 following agencies and organizations shall designate a deputy
396 secretary or higher-level staff person from within the agency or
397 organization to serve as the REDI representative for the agency
398 or organization:
399 1. The Department of Transportation.
400 2. The Department of Environmental Protection.
401 3. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
402 4. The Department of State.
403 5. The Department of Health.
404 6. The Department of Children and Families.
405 7. The Department of Corrections.
406 8. The Department of Education.
407 9. The Department of Juvenile Justice.
408 10. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
409 11. Each water management district.
410 12. Enterprise Florida, Inc.
411 13. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
412 14. VISIT Florida.
413 15. The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.
414 16. The Agency for Health Care Administration.
415 17. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
416
417 An alternate for each designee shall also be chosen, and the
418 names of the designees and alternates shall be sent to the
419 executive director of the department.
420 Section 7. Paragraph (e) of subsection (3) of section
421 288.1252, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
422 288.1252 Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council;
423 creation; purpose; membership; powers and duties.—
424 (3) MEMBERSHIP.—
425 (e) In addition to the 17 appointed members of the council,
426 one A representative from each of Enterprise Florida, Inc.,
427 CareerSource Florida, Inc. a representative of Workforce
428 Florida, Inc., and a representative of VISIT Florida shall serve
429 as ex officio, nonvoting members of the council, and shall be in
430 addition to the 17 appointed members of the council.
431 Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
432 288.901, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
433 288.901 Enterprise Florida, Inc.—
434 (5) APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—
435 (a) In addition to the Governor or his or her the
436 Governor’s designee, the board of directors shall consist of the
437 following appointed members:
438 1. The Commissioner of Education or his or her the
439 commissioner’s designee.
440 2. The Chief Financial Officer or his or her designee.
441 3. The Attorney General or his or her designee.
442 4. The Commissioner of Agriculture or his or her designee.
443 5. The chairperson of the board of directors of
444 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
445 6. The Secretary of State or his or her the secretary’s
446 designee.
447 7. Twelve members from the private sector, six of whom
448 shall be appointed by the Governor, three of whom shall be
449 appointed by the President of the Senate, and three of whom
450 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
451 Representatives. Members appointed by the Governor are subject
452 to Senate confirmation.
453 Section 9. Subsection (6) of section 288.903, Florida
454 Statutes, is amended to read:
455 288.903 Duties of Enterprise Florida, Inc.—Enterprise
456 Florida, Inc., shall have the following duties:
457 (6) In coordination with CareerSource Florida, Inc.
458 Workforce Florida, Inc., identify education and training
459 programs that will ensure that Florida businesses have access to
460 a skilled and competent workforce necessary to compete
461 successfully in the domestic and global marketplace.
462 Section 10. Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section
463 295.22, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
464 295.22 Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.—
465 (3) ADMINISTRATION.—Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall
466 administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
467 and perform all of the following functions:
468 (d) Create a grant program to provide funding to assist
469 veterans in meeting the workforce-skill needs of businesses
470 seeking to hire veterans, establish criteria for approval of
471 requests for funding, and maximize the use of funding for this
472 program. Grant funds may be used only in the absence of
473 available veteran-specific federally funded programs. Grants may
474 fund specialized training specific to a particular business.
475 1. Grant funds may be allocated to any training provider
476 selected by the business, including a career center, a Florida
477 College System institution, a state university, or an in-house
478 training provider of the business. If grant funds are used to
479 provide a technical certificate, a licensure, or a degree, funds
480 may be allocated only upon a review that includes, but is not
481 limited to, documentation of accreditation and licensure
482 documentation. Instruction funded through the program terminates
483 must terminate when participants demonstrate competence at the
484 level specified in the request but; however, the grant term may
485 not exceed 48 months. Preference shall be given to target
486 industry businesses, as defined in s. 288.106, and to businesses
487 in the defense supply, cloud virtualization, or commercial
488 aviation manufacturing industries.
489 2. Costs and expenditures for the grant program must be
490 documented and separated from those incurred by the training
491 provider. Costs and expenditures shall be limited to $8,000 per
492 veteran trainee. Eligible costs and expenditures include:
493 a. Tuition and fees.
494 b. Curriculum development.
495 c. Books and classroom materials.
496 d. Rental fees for facilities at public colleges and
497 universities, including virtual training labs.
498 e. Overhead or indirect costs not to exceed 5 percent of
499 the grant amount.
500 3. Before funds are allocated for a request pursuant to
501 this section, the corporation shall prepare a grant agreement
502 between the business requesting funds, the educational
503 institution or training provider receiving funding through the
504 program, and the corporation. Such agreement must include, but
505 need not be limited to:
506 a. Identification of the personnel necessary to conduct the
507 instructional program, the qualifications of such personnel, and
508 the respective responsibilities of the parties for paying costs
509 associated with the employment of such personnel.
510 b. Identification of the match provided by the business,
511 including cash and in-kind contributions, equal to at least 50
512 percent of the total grant amount.
513 c. Identification of the estimated duration of the
514 instructional program.
515 d. Identification of all direct, training-related costs.
516 e. Identification of special program requirements that are
517 not otherwise addressed in the agreement.
518 f. Permission to access aggregate information specific to
519 the wages and performance of participants upon the completion of
520 instruction for evaluation purposes. The agreement must specify
521 that any evaluation published subsequent to the instruction may
522 not identify the employer or any individual participant.
523 4. A business may receive a grant under the Quick-Response
524 Training Program created under s. 288.047 and a grant under this
525 section for the same veteran trainee. If a business receives
526 funds under both programs, one grant agreement may be entered
527 into with CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., as
528 the grant administrator.
529 Section 11. Subsection (4) of section 320.20, Florida
530 Statutes, is amended to read:
531 320.20 Disposition of license tax moneys.—The revenue
532 derived from the registration of motor vehicles, including any
533 delinquent fees and excluding those revenues collected and
534 distributed under the provisions of s. 320.081, must be
535 distributed monthly, as collected, as follows:
536 (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law except
537 subsections (1), (2), and (3), $10 million shall be deposited
538 annually into the State Transportation Trust Fund solely for the
539 purposes of funding the Florida Seaport Transportation and
540 Economic Development Program as provided in chapter 311 and for
541 funding seaport intermodal access projects of statewide
542 significance as provided in s. 341.053. Such revenues shall be
543 distributed to any port listed in s. 311.09(1), to be used for
544 funding projects as follows:
545 (a) For any seaport intermodal access projects that are
546 identified in the 1997-1998 Tentative Work Program of the
547 Department of Transportation, up to the amounts needed to offset
548 the funding requirements of this section.
549 (b) For seaport intermodal access projects as described in
550 s. 341.053(6) which are identified in the 5-year Florida Seaport
551 Mission Plan as provided in s. 311.09(3). Funding for such
552 projects shall be on a matching basis as mutually determined by
553 the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development
554 Council and the Department of Transportation if a minimum of 25
555 percent of total project funds come from any port funds, local
556 funds, private funds, or specifically earmarked federal funds.
557 (c) On a 50-50 matching basis for projects as described in
558 s. 311.07(3)(b).
559 (d) For seaport intermodal access projects that involve the
560 dredging or deepening of channels, turning basins, or harbors;
561 or the rehabilitation of wharves, docks, or similar structures.
562 Funding for such projects requires a 25 percent match of the
563 funds received pursuant to this subsection. Matching funds must
564 come from any port funds, federal funds, local funds, or private
565 funds.
566
567 Such revenues may be assigned, pledged, or set aside as a trust
568 for the payment of principal or interest on bonds, tax
569 anticipation certificates, or other form of indebtedness issued
570 by an individual port or appropriate local government having
571 jurisdiction thereof, or collectively by interlocal agreement
572 among any of the ports, or used to purchase credit support to
573 permit such borrowings. However, such debt is not a general
574 obligation of the state. This state covenants with holders of
575 such revenue bonds or other instruments of indebtedness issued
576 hereunder that it will not repeal, or impair, or amend this
577 subsection in a any manner that will materially and adversely
578 affect the rights of holders while so long as bonds authorized
579 by this subsection remain are outstanding. Any Revenues that are
580 not pledged to the repayment of bonds as authorized by this
581 section may be used for purposes authorized under the Florida
582 Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program. This
583 revenue source is in addition to any amounts provided for and
584 appropriated in accordance with s. 311.07 and subsection (3).
585 The Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development
586 Council shall approve distribution of funds to ports for
587 projects that have been approved pursuant to s. 311.09(5)-(8),
588 or for seaport intermodal access projects identified in the 5
589 year Florida Seaport Mission Plan as provided in s. 311.09(3)
590 and mutually agreed upon by the Florida Seaport Transportation
591 and Economic Development Council and the Department of
592 Transportation. All contracts for actual construction of
593 projects authorized by this subsection must include a provision
594 encouraging employment of participants in the welfare transition
595 program. The goal for such employment is 25 percent of all new
596 employees employed specifically for the project, unless the
597 Department of Transportation and the Florida Seaport
598 Transportation and Economic Development Council demonstrate that
599 such a requirement would severely hamper the successful
600 completion of the project. In such an instance, CareerSource
601 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall establish an
602 appropriate percentage of employees who are participants in the
603 welfare transition program. The council and the Department of
604 Transportation may perform such acts as are required to
605 facilitate and implement the provisions of this subsection. To
606 better enable the ports to cooperate to their mutual advantage,
607 the governing body of each port may exercise powers provided to
608 municipalities or counties in s. 163.01(7)(d) subject to the
609 provisions of chapter 311 and special acts, if any, pertaining
610 to a port. The use of funds provided pursuant to this subsection
611 is limited to eligible projects listed in this subsection. The
612 revenues available under this subsection may not be pledged to
613 the payment of any bonds other than the Florida Ports Financing
614 Commission Series 1996 and Series 1999 Bonds currently
615 outstanding; however, such revenues may be pledged to secure
616 payment of refunding bonds to refinance the Florida Ports
617 Financing Commission Series 1996 and Series 1999 Bonds.
618 Refunding bonds secured by revenues available under this
619 subsection may not be issued with a final maturity later than
620 the final maturity of the Florida Ports Financing Commission
621 Series 1996 and Series 1999 Bonds and may not or which provide
622 for higher debt service in any year than is currently payable on
623 such bonds. Any revenue bonds or other indebtedness issued after
624 July 1, 2000, other than refunding bonds shall be issued by the
625 Division of Bond Finance at the request of the Department of
626 Transportation pursuant to the State Bond Act.
627 Section 12. Subsections (2) and (9) of section 331.3051,
628 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
629 331.3051 Duties of Space Florida.—Space Florida shall:
630 (2) Enter into agreement with the Department of Education,
631 the Department of Transportation, Enterprise Florida, Inc., and
632 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., for the
633 purpose of implementing this act.
634 (9) Carry out its responsibility for workforce development
635 by coordinating with CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
636 Florida, Inc., community colleges, colleges, public and private
637 universities, and other public and private partners to develop a
638 plan to retain, train, and retrain workers, from entry-level
639 skills training through to technician-level, and 4-year degrees
640 and higher, with the skills most relevant to aerospace
641 employers.
642 Section 13. Subsections (2), (4), and (5) of section
643 331.369, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
644 331.369 Space Industry Workforce Initiative.—
645 (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
646 shall coordinate development of a Space Industry Workforce
647 Initiative in partnership with Space Florida, public and private
648 universities, community colleges, and other training providers
649 approved by the board. The purpose of the initiative is to use
650 or revise existing programs and to develop innovative new
651 programs to address the workforce needs of the aerospace
652 industry.
653 (4) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
654 with the assistance of Space Florida, shall convene
655 representatives from the aerospace industry to identify the
656 priority training and education needs of the industry and to
657 appoint a team to design programs to meet the priority needs.
658 (5) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., as
659 part of its statutorily prescribed annual report to the
660 Legislature, shall provide recommendations for policies,
661 programs, and funding to enhance the workforce needs of the
662 aerospace industry.
663 Section 14. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
664 403.973, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
665 403.973 Expedited permitting; amendments to comprehensive
666 plans.—
667 (3)
668 (c) At the request of a county or municipal government, the
669 Department of Economic Opportunity or a Quick Permitting County
670 may certify projects located in counties where the ratio of new
671 jobs per participant in the welfare transition program, as
672 determined by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
673 Inc., is less than one or otherwise critical, as eligible for
674 the expedited permitting process. Such projects must meet the
675 numerical job creation criteria for job creation specified in of
676 this subsection, but the jobs created by the project do not have
677 to be high-wage jobs that diversify the state’s economy.
678 Section 15. Paragraph (c) of subsection (7) of section
679 409.1451, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
680 409.1451 The Road-to-Independence Program.—
681 (7) INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL.—The
682 secretary shall establish the Independent Living Services
683 Advisory Council for the purpose of reviewing and making
684 recommendations concerning the implementation and operation of
685 the provisions of s. 39.6251 and the Road-to-Independence
686 Program. The advisory council shall function as specified in
687 this subsection until the Legislature determines that the
688 advisory council can no longer provide a valuable contribution
689 to the department’s efforts to achieve the goals of the services
690 designed to enable a young adult to live independently.
691 (c) Members of the advisory council shall be appointed by
692 the secretary of the department. The membership of the advisory
693 council must include, at a minimum, representatives from the
694 headquarters and regional offices of the Department of Children
695 and Families, community-based care lead agencies, the Department
696 of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Economic Opportunity, the
697 Department of Education, the Agency for Health Care
698 Administration, the State Youth Advisory Board, CareerSource
699 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., the Statewide Guardian Ad
700 Litem Office, foster parents, recipients of services and funding
701 through the Road-to-Independence Program, and advocates for
702 children in care. The secretary shall determine the length of
703 the term to be served by each member appointed to the advisory
704 council, which may not exceed 4 years.
705 Section 16. Paragraph (k) of subsection (1) and subsection
706 (9) of section 413.405, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
707 413.405 Florida Rehabilitation Council.—There is created
708 the Florida Rehabilitation Council to assist the division in the
709 planning and development of statewide rehabilitation programs
710 and services, to recommend improvements to such programs and
711 services, and to perform the functions listed in this section.
712 (1) The council shall be composed of:
713 (k) At least one representative of the board of directors
714 of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
715 (9) In addition to the other functions specified in this
716 section, the council shall, after consulting with the board of
717 directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.:
718 (a) Review, analyze, and advise the division regarding the
719 performance of the responsibilities of the division under Title
720 I of the act, particularly responsibilities relating to:
721 1. Eligibility, including order of selection.
722 2. The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services
723 provided.
724 3. Functions performed by state agencies which that affect
725 or potentially affect the ability of individuals with
726 disabilities to achieve in achieving employment outcomes under
727 Title I.
728 (b) In partnership with the division:
729 1. Develop, agree to, and review state goals and priorities
730 in accordance with 34 C.F.R. s. 361.29(c); and
731 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational
732 rehabilitation program and submit reports of progress to the
733 Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House
734 of Representatives, and the United States Secretary of Education
735 in accordance with 34 C.F.R. s. 361.29(e).
736 (c) Advise the department and the division and assist in
737 the preparation of the state plan and amendments to the plan,
738 applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations
739 required by Title I.
740 (d) To the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis
741 of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with:
742 1. The functions performed by state agencies and other
743 public and private entities responsible for performing functions
744 for individuals who have disabilities.
745 2. Vocational rehabilitation services:
746 a. Provided or paid for from funds made available under the
747 act or through other public or private sources.
748 b. Provided by state agencies and other public and private
749 entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation
750 services to individuals who have disabilities.
751 3. The employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals
752 receiving services under this part, including the availability
753 of health or other employment benefits in connection with those
754 employment outcomes.
755 (e) Prepare and submit an annual report on the status of
756 vocational rehabilitation programs in the state to the Governor,
757 the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
758 Representatives, and the United States Secretary of Education
759 and make the report available to the public.
760 (f) Coordinate with other councils within Florida,
761 including the Florida Independent Living Council, the advisory
762 panel established under s. 612(a)(21) of the Individuals with
763 Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1412(a)(21), the State
764 Planning Council described in s. 124 of the Developmental
765 Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. s.
766 15024, the state mental health planning council established
767 under s. 1914 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. s.
768 300x-3, and the board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
769 Workforce Florida, Inc.
770 (g) Advise the department and division and provide for
771 coordination and the establishment of working relationships
772 among the department, the division, the Florida Independent
773 Living Council, and centers for independent living in the state.
774 (h) Perform other functions that are consistent with the
775 duties and responsibilities of the council under this section.
776 Section 17. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
777 413.407, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
778 413.407 Assistive Technology Advisory Council.—There is
779 created the Assistive Technology Advisory Council, responsible
780 for ensuring consumer involvement in the creation, application,
781 and distribution of technology-related assistance to and for
782 persons who have disabilities. The council shall fulfill its
783 responsibilities through statewide policy development, both
784 state and federal legislative initiatives, advocacy at both the
785 state and federal level, planning of statewide resource
786 allocations, policy-level management, reviews of both consumer
787 responsiveness and the adequacy of program service delivery, and
788 by performing the functions listed in this section.
789 (1)(a) The council shall be composed of:
790 1. Individuals who have disabilities and who are assistive
791 technology consumers or family members or guardians of those
792 individuals.
793 2. Representatives of consumer organizations concerned with
794 assistive technology.
795 3. Representatives of business and industry, including the
796 insurance industry, concerned with assistive technology.
797 4. A representative of the Division of Vocational
798 Rehabilitation.
799 5. A representative of the Division of Blind Services.
800 6. A representative of the Florida Independent Living
801 Council.
802 7. A representative of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
803 Florida, Inc.
804 8. A representative of the Department of Education.
805 9. Representatives of other state agencies that provide or
806 coordinate services for persons with disabilities.
807
808 Total membership on the council may shall not exceed 27 at any
809 one time. A majority of the members shall be appointed in
810 accordance with subparagraph 1.
811 Section 18. Section 414.045, Florida Statutes, is amended
812 to read:
813 414.045 Cash assistance program.—Cash assistance families
814 include any families receiving cash assistance payments from the
815 state program for temporary assistance for needy families as
816 defined in federal law, whether such funds are from federal
817 funds, state funds, or commingled federal and state funds. Cash
818 assistance families may also include families receiving cash
819 assistance through a program defined as a separate state
820 program.
821 (1) For reporting purposes, families receiving cash
822 assistance shall be grouped into the following categories. The
823 department may develop additional groupings in order to comply
824 with federal reporting requirements, to comply with the data
825 reporting needs of the board of directors of CareerSource
826 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or to better inform the
827 public of program progress.
828 (a) Work-eligible cases.—Work-eligible cases shall include:
829 1. Families containing an adult or a teen head of
830 household, as defined by federal law. These cases are generally
831 subject to the work activity requirements provided in s. 445.024
832 and the time limitations on benefits provided in s. 414.105.
833 2. Families with a parent where the parent’s needs have
834 been removed from the case due to sanction or disqualification
835 shall be considered work-eligible cases to the extent that such
836 cases are considered in the calculation of federal participation
837 rates or would be counted in such calculation in future months.
838 3. Families participating in transition assistance
839 programs.
840 4. Families otherwise eligible for temporary cash
841 assistance which that receive diversion services, a severance
842 payment, or participate in the relocation program.
843 (b) Child-only cases.—Child-only cases include cases that
844 do not have an adult or teen head of household as defined in
845 federal law. Such cases include:
846 1. Children in the care of caretaker relatives, if where
847 the caretaker relatives choose to have their needs excluded in
848 the calculation of the amount of cash assistance.
849 2. Families in the Relative Caregiver Program as provided
850 in s. 39.5085.
851 3. Families in which the only parent in a single-parent
852 family or both parents in a two-parent family receive
853 supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under Title XVI of
854 the Social Security Act, as amended. To the extent permitted by
855 federal law, individuals receiving SSI shall be excluded as
856 household members in determining the amount of cash assistance,
857 and such cases shall not be considered families containing an
858 adult. Parents or caretaker relatives who are excluded from the
859 cash assistance group due to receipt of SSI may choose to
860 participate in work activities. An individual whose ability to
861 participate in work activities is limited who volunteers to
862 participate in work activities activity but whose ability to
863 participate in work activities is limited shall be assigned to
864 work activities consistent with such limitations. An individual
865 who volunteers to participate in a work activity may receive
866 child care or support services consistent with such
867 participation.
868 4. Families in which where the only parent in a single
869 parent family or both parents in a two-parent family are not
870 eligible for cash assistance due to immigration status or other
871 limitation of federal law. To the extent required by federal
872 law, such cases shall not be considered families containing an
873 adult.
874 5. To the extent permitted by federal law and subject to
875 appropriations, special needs children who have been adopted
876 pursuant to s. 409.166 and whose adopting family qualifies as a
877 needy family under the state program for temporary assistance
878 for needy families. Notwithstanding any provision to the
879 contrary in s. 414.075, s. 414.085, or s. 414.095, a family
880 shall be considered a needy family if:
881 a. The family is determined by the department to have an
882 income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
883 b. The family meets the requirements of s. 414.095(2) and
884 (3) related to residence, citizenship, or eligible noncitizen
885 status; and
886 c. The family provides any information that may be
887 necessary to meet federal reporting requirements specified under
888 Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act.
889
890 Families described in subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or
891 subparagraph 3. may receive child care assistance or other
892 supports or services so that the children may continue to be
893 cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives. Such
894 assistance or services may be funded from the temporary
895 assistance for needy families block grant to the extent
896 permitted under federal law and to the extent funds have been
897 provided in the General Appropriations Act.
898 (2) Oversight by the board of directors of CareerSource
899 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and the service delivery
900 and financial planning responsibilities of the regional
901 workforce boards shall apply to the families defined as work
902 eligible cases in paragraph (1)(a). The department shall be
903 responsible for program administration related to families in
904 groups defined in paragraph (1)(b), and the department shall
905 coordinate such administration with the board of directors of
906 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., to the
907 extent needed for operation of the program.
908 Section 19. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 414.105,
909 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
910 414.105 Time limitations of temporary cash assistance.
911 Except as otherwise provided in this section, an applicant or
912 current participant shall receive temporary cash assistance for
913 no more than a lifetime cumulative total of 48 months, unless
914 otherwise provided by law.
915 (1) Hardship exemptions from to the time limitations
916 provided in this section may not exceed shall be limited to 20
917 percent of the average monthly caseload, as determined by the
918 department in cooperation with CareerSource Florida, Inc.
919 Workforce Florida, Inc. Criteria for hardship exemptions
920 include:
921 (a) Diligent participation in activities, combined with
922 inability to obtain employment.
923 (b) Diligent participation in activities, combined with
924 extraordinary barriers to employment, including the conditions
925 which may result in an exemption to work requirements.
926 (c) Significant barriers to employment, combined with a
927 need for additional time.
928 (d) Diligent participation in activities and a need by teen
929 parents for an exemption in order to have 24 months of
930 eligibility beyond receipt of the high school diploma or
931 equivalent.
932 (e) A recommendation of extension for a minor child of a
933 participating family that has reached the end of the eligibility
934 period for temporary cash assistance. The recommendation must be
935 the result of a review that which determines that the
936 termination of the child’s temporary cash assistance would be
937 likely to result in the child being placed into emergency
938 shelter or foster care.
939 (3) The department, in cooperation with CareerSource
940 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall establish a
941 procedure for approving hardship exemptions and for reviewing
942 hardship cases at least once every 2 years. Regional workforce
943 boards may assist in making these determinations.
944 Section 20. Section 414.106, Florida Statutes, is amended
945 to read:
946 414.106 Exemption from public meetings law.—That portion of
947 a meeting held by the department, CareerSource Florida, Inc.
948 Workforce Florida, Inc., or a regional workforce board or local
949 committee created pursuant to s. 445.007 at which personal
950 identifying information contained in records relating to
951 temporary cash assistance is discussed is exempt from s. 286.011
952 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution if the
953 information identifies a participant, a participant’s family, or
954 a participant’s family or household member.
955 Section 21. Subsection (1) of section 414.295, Florida
956 Statutes, is amended to read:
957 414.295 Temporary cash assistance programs; public records
958 exemption.—
959 (1) Personal identifying information of a temporary cash
960 assistance program participant, a participant’s family, or a
961 participant’s family or household member, except for information
962 identifying a parent who does not live in the same home as the
963 child, which is held by the department, the Office of Early
964 Learning, CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
965 the Department of Health, the Department of Revenue, the
966 Department of Education, or a regional workforce board or local
967 committee created pursuant to s. 445.007 is confidential and
968 exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State
969 Constitution. Such confidential and exempt information may be
970 released for purposes directly connected with:
971 (a) The administration of the temporary assistance for
972 needy families plan under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act,
973 as amended, by the department, the Office of Early Learning,
974 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., the
975 Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Health, the
976 Department of Revenue, the Department of Education, a regional
977 workforce board or local committee created pursuant to s.
978 445.007, or a school district.
979 (b) The administration of the state’s plan or program
980 approved under Title IV-B, Title IV-D, or Title IV-E of the
981 Social Security Act, as amended, or under Title I, Title X,
982 Title XIV, Title XVI, Title XIX, Title XX, or Title XXI of the
983 Social Security Act, as amended.
984 (c) An Any investigation, prosecution, or any criminal,
985 civil, or administrative proceeding conducted in connection with
986 the administration of any of the plans or programs specified in
987 paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) by a federal, state, or local
988 governmental entity, upon request by that entity, if when such
989 request is made pursuant to the proper exercise of that entity’s
990 duties and responsibilities.
991 (d) The administration of any other state, federal, or
992 federally assisted program that provides assistance or services
993 on the basis of need, in cash or in kind, directly to a
994 participant.
995 (e) An Any audit or similar activity, such as a review of
996 expenditure reports or financial review, conducted in connection
997 with the administration of any of the plans or programs
998 specified in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) by a governmental
999 entity authorized by law to conduct such audit or activity.
1000 (f) The administration of the reemployment assistance
1001 program.
1002 (g) The reporting to the appropriate agency or official of
1003 information about known or suspected instances of physical or
1004 mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent
1005 treatment or maltreatment of a child or elderly person receiving
1006 assistance, if circumstances indicate that the health or welfare
1007 of the child or elderly person is threatened.
1008 (h) The administration of services to elderly persons under
1009 ss. 430.601-430.606.
1010 Section 22. Section 414.55, Florida Statutes, is amended to
1011 read:
1012 414.55 Implementation of community work program.—The
1013 Governor shall minimize the liability of the state by opting out
1014 of the special provision related to community work, as described
1015 in s. 402(a)(1)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act, as amended by
1016 Pub. L. No. 104-193. The department and CareerSource Florida,
1017 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall implement the community work
1018 program in accordance with s. 445.024.
1019 Section 23. Subsection (2) of section 420.622, Florida
1020 Statutes, is amended to read:
1021 420.622 State Office on Homelessness; Council on
1022 Homelessness.—
1023 (2) The Council on Homelessness is created to consist of 17
1024 representatives a 17-member council of public and private
1025 agencies agency representatives who shall develop policy and
1026 advise the State Office on Homelessness. The council members
1027 shall be: the Secretary of Children and Families, or his or her
1028 designee; the executive director of the Department of Economic
1029 Opportunity, or his or her designee, who shall to advise the
1030 council on issues related to rural development; the State
1031 Surgeon General, or his or her designee; the Executive Director
1032 of Veterans’ Affairs, or his or her designee; the Secretary of
1033 Corrections, or his or her designee; the Secretary of Health
1034 Care Administration, or his or her designee; the Commissioner of
1035 Education, or his or her designee; the Director of CareerSource
1036 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or his or her designee;
1037 one representative of the Florida Association of Counties; one
1038 representative of from the Florida League of Cities; one
1039 representative of the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition; the
1040 Executive Director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation,
1041 or his or her designee; one representative of the Florida
1042 Coalition for the Homeless; and four members appointed by the
1043 Governor. The council members shall be nonpaid volunteers
1044 volunteer, nonpaid persons and shall be reimbursed only for
1045 travel expenses only. The appointed members of the council shall
1046 be appointed to staggered 2-year terms, and the council shall
1047 meet at least four times per year. The importance of minority,
1048 gender, and geographic representation shall must be considered
1049 in when appointing members to the council.
1050 Section 24. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
1051 443.091, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1052 443.091 Benefit eligibility conditions.—
1053 (1) An unemployed individual is eligible to receive
1054 benefits for any week only if the Department of Economic
1055 Opportunity finds that:
1056 (c) To make continued claims for benefits, she or he is
1057 reporting to the department in accordance with this paragraph
1058 and department rules. Department rules may not conflict with s.
1059 443.111(1)(b), which requires that each claimant continue to
1060 report regardless of any pending appeal relating to her or his
1061 eligibility or disqualification for benefits.
1062 1. For each week of unemployment claimed, each report must,
1063 at a minimum, include the name, address, and telephone number of
1064 each prospective employer contacted, or the date the claimant
1065 reported to a one-stop career center, pursuant to paragraph (d).
1066 2. The department shall must offer an online assessment
1067 aimed at identifying that serves to identify an individual’s
1068 skills, abilities, and career aptitude. The skills assessment
1069 must be voluntary, and the department shall must allow a
1070 claimant to choose whether to take the skills assessment. The
1071 online assessment shall be made available to any person seeking
1072 services from a regional workforce board or a one-stop career
1073 center.
1074 a. If the claimant chooses to take the online assessment,
1075 the outcome of the assessment shall must be made available to
1076 the claimant, regional workforce board, and one-stop career
1077 center. The department, workforce board, or one-stop career
1078 center shall use the assessment to develop a plan for referring
1079 individuals to training and employment opportunities. Aggregate
1080 data on assessment outcomes may be made available to
1081 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and
1082 Enterprise Florida, Inc., for use in the development of policies
1083 related to education and training programs that will ensure that
1084 businesses in this state have access to a skilled and competent
1085 workforce.
1086 b. Individuals shall be informed of and offered services
1087 through the one-stop delivery system, including career
1088 counseling, the provision of skill match and job market
1089 information, and skills upgrade and other training
1090 opportunities, and shall be encouraged to participate in such
1091 services at no cost to the individuals. The department shall
1092 coordinate with CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
1093 Inc., the workforce boards, and the one-stop career centers to
1094 identify, develop, and use best practices for improving the
1095 skills of individuals who choose to participate in skills
1096 upgrade and other training opportunities. The department may
1097 contract with an entity to create the online assessment in
1098 accordance with the competitive bidding requirements in s.
1099 287.057. The online assessment must work seamlessly with the
1100 Reemployment Assistance Claims and Benefits Information System.
1101 Section 25. Subsections (1) and (4) of section 443.171,
1102 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1103 443.171 Department of Economic Opportunity and commission;
1104 powers and duties; records and reports; proceedings; state
1105 federal cooperation.—
1106 (1) POWERS AND DUTIES.—The Department of Economic
1107 Opportunity shall administer this chapter. The department may
1108 employ those persons, make expenditures, require reports,
1109 conduct investigations, and take other action necessary or
1110 suitable to administer this chapter. The department shall
1111 annually submit information to CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1112 Workforce Florida, Inc., covering the administration and
1113 operation of this chapter during the preceding calendar year for
1114 inclusion in the strategic plan under s. 445.006 and may make
1115 recommendations for amendment to this chapter.
1116 (4) EMPLOYMENT STABILIZATION.—The Department of Economic
1117 Opportunity, under the direction of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1118 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall take all appropriate steps to
1119 reduce and prevent unemployment; to encourage and assist in the
1120 adoption of practical methods of career training, retraining,
1121 and career guidance; to investigate, recommend, advise, and
1122 assist municipalities, counties, school districts, and the state
1123 in the establishment and operation, by municipalities, counties,
1124 school districts, and the state, of reserves for public works to
1125 be used in times of business depression and unemployment; to
1126 promote the reemployment of the unemployed workers throughout
1127 the state in every other way that may be feasible; to refer a
1128 any claimant entitled to extended benefits to suitable work that
1129 which meets the criteria of this chapter; and, to these ends, to
1130 carry on and publish the results of investigations and research
1131 studies.
1132 Section 26. Subsection (1) of section 443.181, Florida
1133 Statutes, is amended to read:
1134 443.181 Public employment service.—
1135 (1) The one-stop delivery system established under s.
1136 445.009 is this state’s public employment service as part of the
1137 national system of public employment offices established under
1138 29 U.S.C. s. 49. The Department of Economic Opportunity, under
1139 policy direction from CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1140 Florida, Inc., shall cooperate with any official or agency of
1141 the United States having power or duties under 29 U.S.C. ss. 49
1142 49l-1 and shall perform those duties necessary to secure to this
1143 state the funds provided under federal law for the promotion and
1144 maintenance of the state’s public employment service. In
1145 accordance with 29 U.S.C. s. 49c, this state accepts 29 U.S.C.
1146 ss. 49-49l-1. The department is designated the state agency
1147 responsible for cooperating with the United States Secretary of
1148 Labor under 29 U.S.C. s. 49c. The department shall appoint
1149 sufficient employees to administer this section. The department
1150 may cooperate with or enter into agreements with the Railroad
1151 Retirement Board for the establishment, maintenance, and use of
1152 one-stop career centers.
1153 Section 27. Section 445.003, Florida Statutes, is amended
1154 to read:
1155 445.003 Implementation of the federal Workforce Investment
1156 Act of 1998.—
1157 (1) WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT PRINCIPLES.—The state’s
1158 approach to implementing the federal Workforce Investment Act of
1159 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-220, should have six elements:
1160 (a) Streamlining Services.—Florida’s employment and
1161 training programs must be coordinated and consolidated at
1162 locally managed one-stop delivery system centers.
1163 (b) Empowering Individuals.—Eligible participants will make
1164 informed decisions, choosing the qualified training program that
1165 best meets their needs.
1166 (c) Universal Access.—Through a one-stop delivery system,
1167 every Floridian will have access to employment services.
1168 (d) Increased Accountability.—The state, localities, and
1169 training providers will be held accountable for their
1170 performance.
1171 (e) Local Board and Private Sector Leadership.—Local boards
1172 will focus on strategic planning, policy development, and
1173 oversight of the local system, choosing local managers to direct
1174 the operational details of their one-stop delivery system
1175 centers.
1176 (f) Local Flexibility and Integration.—Localities will have
1177 exceptional flexibility to build on existing reforms. Unified
1178 planning will free local groups from conflicting
1179 micromanagement, while waivers and WorkFlex will allow local
1180 innovations.
1181 (2) FIVE-YEAR PLAN.—CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1182 Florida, Inc., shall prepare and submit a 5-year plan, which
1183 must include includes secondary career education, to fulfill the
1184 early implementation requirements of Pub. L. No. 105-220 and
1185 applicable state statutes. Mandatory and optional federal
1186 partners and optional federal partners shall be fully involved
1187 in designing the plan’s one-stop delivery system strategy. The
1188 plan shall detail a process to clearly define each program’s
1189 statewide duties and role relating to the system. Any optional
1190 federal partner may immediately choose to fully integrate its
1191 program’s plan with this plan, which shall, notwithstanding any
1192 other state provisions, fulfill all their state planning and
1193 reporting requirements as they relate to the one-stop delivery
1194 system. The plan must shall detail a process that would fully
1195 integrate all federally mandated and optional partners by the
1196 second year of the plan. All optional federal program partners
1197 in the planning process shall be mandatory participants in the
1198 second year of the plan.
1199 (3) FUNDING.—
1200 (a) Title I, Workforce Investment Act of 1998 funds;
1201 Wagner-Peyser funds; and NAFTA/Trade Act funds will be expended
1202 based on the 5-year plan of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1203 Florida, Inc. The plan shall outline and direct the method used
1204 to administer and coordinate various funds and programs that are
1205 operated by various agencies. The following provisions shall
1206 also apply to these funds:
1207 1. At least 50 percent of the Title I funds for Adults and
1208 Dislocated Workers which that are passed through to regional
1209 workforce boards shall be allocated to and expended on
1210 Individual Training Accounts unless a regional workforce board
1211 obtains a waiver from CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1212 Florida, Inc. Tuition, books, and fees of training providers and
1213 other training services prescribed and authorized by the
1214 Workforce Investment Act of 1998 qualify as Individual Training
1215 Account expenditures.
1216 2. Fifteen percent of Title I funding shall be retained at
1217 the state level and shall be dedicated to state administration
1218 and shall be used to design, develop, induce, and fund
1219 innovative Individual Training Account pilots, demonstrations,
1220 and programs. Of such funds retained at the state level, $2
1221 million shall be reserved for the Incumbent Worker Training
1222 Program, created under subparagraph 3. Eligible state
1223 administration costs include the costs of: funding for the board
1224 and staff of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.;
1225 operating fiscal, compliance, and management accountability
1226 systems through CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
1227 Inc.; conducting evaluation and research on workforce
1228 development activities; and providing technical and capacity
1229 building assistance to regions at the direction of CareerSource
1230 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc. Notwithstanding s.
1231 445.004, such administrative costs may shall not exceed 25
1232 percent of these funds. An amount not to exceed 75 percent of
1233 these funds shall be allocated to Individual Training Accounts
1234 and other workforce development strategies for other training
1235 designed and tailored by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1236 Florida, Inc., including, but not limited to, programs for
1237 incumbent workers, displaced homemakers, nontraditional
1238 employment, and enterprise zones. CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1239 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall design, adopt, and fund
1240 Individual Training Accounts for distressed urban and rural
1241 communities.
1242 3. The Incumbent Worker Training Program is created for the
1243 purpose of providing grant funding for continuing education and
1244 training of incumbent employees at existing Florida businesses.
1245 The program will provide reimbursement grants to businesses that
1246 pay for preapproved, direct, training-related costs.
1247 a. The Incumbent Worker Training Program will be
1248 administered by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
1249 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., which may, at its discretion, may
1250 contract with a private business organization to serve as grant
1251 administrator.
1252 b. To be eligible for the program’s grant funding, a
1253 business must have been in operation in Florida for a minimum of
1254 1 year prior to the application for grant funding; have at least
1255 one full-time employee; demonstrate financial viability; and be
1256 current on all state tax obligations. Priority for funding shall
1257 be given to businesses with 25 employees or fewer, businesses in
1258 rural areas, businesses in distressed inner-city areas,
1259 businesses in a qualified targeted industry, businesses whose
1260 grant proposals represent a significant upgrade in employee
1261 skills, or businesses whose grant proposals represent a
1262 significant layoff avoidance strategy.
1263 c. All costs reimbursed by the program must be preapproved
1264 by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or the
1265 grant administrator. The program may will not reimburse
1266 businesses for trainee wages, the purchase of capital equipment,
1267 or the purchase of any item or service that may possibly be used
1268 outside the training project. A business approved for a grant
1269 may be reimbursed for preapproved, direct, training-related
1270 costs including tuition,; fees,; books and training materials,;
1271 and overhead or indirect costs not to exceed 5 percent of the
1272 grant amount.
1273 d. A business that is selected to receive grant funding
1274 must provide a matching contribution to the training project,
1275 including, but not limited to, wages paid to trainees or the
1276 purchase of capital equipment used in the training project; must
1277 sign an agreement with CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1278 Florida, Inc., or the grant administrator to complete the
1279 training project as proposed in the application; must keep
1280 accurate records of the project’s implementation process; and
1281 must submit monthly or quarterly reimbursement requests with
1282 required documentation.
1283 e. All Incumbent Worker Training Program grant projects
1284 shall be performance-based with specific measurable performance
1285 outcomes, including completion of the training project and job
1286 retention. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1287 or the grant administrator shall withhold the final payment to
1288 the grantee until a final grant report is submitted and all
1289 performance criteria specified in the grant contract have been
1290 achieved.
1291 f. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1292 establish guidelines necessary to implement the Incumbent Worker
1293 Training Program.
1294 g. No more than 10 percent of the Incumbent Worker Training
1295 Program’s total appropriation may be used for overhead or
1296 indirect purposes.
1297 4. At least 50 percent of Rapid Response funding shall be
1298 dedicated to Intensive Services Accounts and Individual Training
1299 Accounts for dislocated workers and incumbent workers who are at
1300 risk of dislocation. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1301 Florida, Inc., shall also maintain an Emergency Preparedness
1302 Fund from Rapid Response funds, which will immediately issue
1303 Intensive Service Accounts, and Individual Training Accounts,
1304 and as well as other federally authorized assistance to eligible
1305 victims of natural or other disasters. At the direction of the
1306 Governor, for events that qualify under federal law, these Rapid
1307 Response funds shall be released to regional workforce boards
1308 for immediate use after events that qualify under federal law.
1309 Funding shall also be dedicated to maintain a unit at the state
1310 level to respond to Rapid Response emergencies and around the
1311 state, to work with state emergency management officials, and to
1312 work with regional workforce boards. All Rapid Response funds
1313 must be expended based on a plan developed by CareerSource
1314 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and approved by the
1315 Governor.
1316 (b) The administrative entity for Title I, Workforce
1317 Investment Act of 1998 funds, and Rapid Response activities is,
1318 shall be the Department of Economic Opportunity, which shall
1319 provide direction to regional workforce boards regarding Title I
1320 programs and Rapid Response activities pursuant to the direction
1321 of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
1322 (4) FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPTIONS AND REQUIRED
1323 MODIFICATIONS.—
1324 (a) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1325 provide indemnification from audit liabilities to regional
1326 workforce boards that act in full compliance with state law and
1327 board policy the board’s policies.
1328 (b) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1329 negotiate and settle all outstanding issues with the United
1330 States Department of Labor relating to decisions made by
1331 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., any
1332 predecessor workforce organization, and the Legislature with
1333 regard to the Job Training Partnership Act, making settlements
1334 and closing out all JTPA program year grants.
1335 (c) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1336 make modifications to the state’s plan, policies, and procedures
1337 to comply with federally mandated requirements that in its
1338 judgment must be complied with to maintain funding provided
1339 pursuant to Pub. L. No. 105-220. The board shall provide written
1340 notice to notify in writing the Governor, the President of the
1341 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives within
1342 30 days after any such changes or modifications.
1343 (5) LONG-TERM CONSOLIDATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
1344 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1345 recommend workforce-related divisions, bureaus, units, programs,
1346 duties, commissions, boards, and councils for elimination,
1347 consolidation, or privatization that can be eliminated,
1348 consolidated, or privatized.
1349 Section 28. Section 445.004, Florida Statutes, is amended
1350 to read:
1351 445.004 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.;
1352 creation; purpose; membership; duties and powers.—
1353 (1) CareerSource Florida, Inc., There is created as a not
1354 for-profit corporation, to be known as “Workforce Florida,
1355 Inc.,” which shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and
1356 operated in compliance with chapter 617. CareerSource Florida,
1357 Inc., is not, and which shall not be a unit or entity of state
1358 government and is shall be exempt from chapters 120 and 287.
1359 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall apply
1360 the procurement and expenditure procedures required by federal
1361 law for the expenditure of federal funds. CareerSource Florida,
1362 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall be administratively housed
1363 within the Department of Economic Opportunity; however,
1364 CareerSource Florida, Inc., is not Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1365 shall not be subject to control, supervision, or direction by
1366 the department in any manner. The Legislature finds determines,
1367 however, that public policy dictates that CareerSource Florida,
1368 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., operate in the most open and
1369 accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. To this
1370 end, the Legislature specifically declares that CareerSource
1371 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., its board, councils, and
1372 any advisory committees or similar groups created by
1373 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., are subject
1374 to the provisions of chapter 119 relating to public records, and
1375 those provisions of chapter 286 relating to public meetings.
1376 (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., is
1377 the principal workforce policy organization for the state. The
1378 purpose of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1379 is to design and implement strategies that help Floridians
1380 enter, remain in, and advance in the workplace, so that they may
1381 become becoming more highly skilled and successful, which
1382 benefits benefiting these Floridians, Florida businesses, and
1383 the entire state, and fosters the development of to assist in
1384 developing the state’s business climate.
1385 (3)(a) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1386 shall be governed by a board of directors, the number of
1387 directors to be determined by the Governor, whose membership and
1388 appointment must be consistent with Pub. L. No. 105-220, Title
1389 I, s. 111(b). Members described in Pub. L. No. 105-220, Title I,
1390 s. 111(b)(1)(C)(vi) shall be nonvoting members. The number of
1391 directors shall be determined by the Governor, who shall
1392 consider the importance of minority, gender, and geographic
1393 representation in shall be considered when making appointments
1394 to the board. The Governor, When the Governor is in attendance,
1395 he or she shall preside at all meetings of the board of
1396 directors.
1397 (b) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1398 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall be chaired by a board member
1399 designated by the Governor pursuant to Pub. L. No. 105-220. A
1400 member may not and shall serve no more than two terms.
1401 (c) Members appointed by the Governor may serve no more
1402 than two terms and must be appointed for 3-year terms. However,
1403 in order to establish staggered terms for board members, the
1404 Governor shall appoint or reappoint one-third of the board
1405 members for 1-year terms, one-third of the board members for 2
1406 year terms, and one-third of the board members for 3-year terms
1407 beginning July 1, 2005. Subsequent appointments or
1408 reappointments shall be Following that date, the Governor shall
1409 appoint or reappoint board members for 3-year terms exclusively,
1410 except that, when a board member appointed to fill a vacancy on
1411 the board is replaced before the end of a 3-year term, the
1412 replacement shall be appointed to serve only the remainder of
1413 the that term of the member whom he or she is replacing, and,
1414 after which the replacement may be appointed for a subsequent
1415 full 3-year term. Private sector representatives of businesses,
1416 appointed by the Governor pursuant to Pub. L. No. 105-220, shall
1417 constitute a majority of the membership of the board. Private
1418 sector representatives shall be appointed from nominations
1419 received by the Governor, including, but not limited to, those
1420 nominations made by the President of the Senate and the Speaker
1421 of the House of Representatives. Private sector appointments to
1422 the board must shall be representative of the business community
1423 of this state; no fewer than one-half of the appointments to the
1424 board must be representative of small businesses, and at least
1425 five members must have economic development experience. Members
1426 appointed by the Governor serve at the pleasure of the Governor
1427 and are eligible for reappointment.
1428 (d) A member of the board of directors of CareerSource
1429 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may be removed by the
1430 Governor for cause. Absence from three consecutive meetings
1431 results in automatic removal. The chair of CareerSource Florida,
1432 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall notify the Governor of such
1433 absences.
1434 (e) Representatives of businesses appointed to the board of
1435 directors may not include providers of workforce services.
1436 (4)(a) The president of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1437 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall be hired by the board of
1438 directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1439 and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor in the capacity
1440 of an executive director and secretary of CareerSource Florida,
1441 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
1442 (b) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1443 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall meet at least quarterly and at
1444 other times upon the call of its chair. The board and its
1445 committees, subcommittees, or other subdivisions may use any
1446 method of telecommunications to conduct meetings, including
1447 establishing a quorum through telecommunications, if provided
1448 that the public is given proper notice of the telecommunications
1449 meeting and is given reasonable access to observe and, if when
1450 appropriate, participate.
1451 (c) A majority of the total current membership of the board
1452 of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc., constitutes
1453 Workforce Florida, Inc., comprises a quorum of the board.
1454 (d) A majority of those voting is required to organize and
1455 conduct the business of the board, except that a majority of the
1456 entire board of directors is required to adopt or amend the
1457 bylaws.
1458 (e) Except as delegated or authorized by the board of
1459 directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1460 individual members have no authority to control or direct the
1461 operations of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
1462 Inc., or the actions of its officers and employees, including
1463 the president.
1464 (f) Members of the board of directors of CareerSource
1465 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and its committees shall
1466 serve without compensation, but these members, the president,
1467 and the all employees of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1468 Florida, Inc., may be reimbursed for all reasonable, necessary,
1469 and actual expenses pursuant to s. 112.061.
1470 (g) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1471 Workforce Florida, Inc., may establish an executive committee
1472 consisting of the chair and at least six additional board
1473 members selected by the chair, one of whom must be a
1474 representative of organized labor. The executive committee and
1475 the president shall have such authority as the board delegates
1476 to them it, except that the board of directors may not delegate
1477 to the executive committee authority to take action that
1478 requires approval by a majority of the entire board of
1479 directors.
1480 (h) The chair may appoint committees to fulfill the board’s
1481 its responsibilities, to comply with federal requirements, or to
1482 obtain technical assistance, and must incorporate members of
1483 regional workforce development boards into its structure.
1484 (i) Each member of the board of directors who is not
1485 otherwise required to file a financial disclosure pursuant to s.
1486 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s. 112.3144 must file
1487 disclosure of financial interests pursuant to s. 112.3145.
1488 (5) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1489 shall have all the powers and authority, not explicitly
1490 prohibited by statute which are, necessary or convenient to
1491 carry out and effectuate its the purposes as determined by
1492 statute, Pub. L. No. 105-220, and the Governor, as well as its
1493 functions, duties, and responsibilities, including, but not
1494 limited to, the following:
1495 (a) Serving as the state’s Workforce Investment Board
1496 pursuant to Pub. L. No. 105-220. Unless otherwise required by
1497 federal law, at least 90 percent of the workforce development
1498 funding must go toward into direct customer service costs.
1499 (b) Providing oversight and policy direction to ensure that
1500 the following programs are administered by the department in
1501 compliance with approved plans and under contract with
1502 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.:
1503 1. Programs authorized under Title I of the Workforce
1504 Investment Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-220, with the exception
1505 of programs funded directly by the United States Department of
1506 Labor under Title I, s. 167.
1507 2. Programs authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933,
1508 as amended, 29 U.S.C. ss. 49 et seq.
1509 3. Activities authorized under Title II of the Trade Act of
1510 2002, as amended, 19 U.S.C. ss. 2272 et seq., and the Trade
1511 Adjustment Assistance Program.
1512 4. Activities authorized under 38 U.S.C., chapter 41,
1513 including job counseling, training, and placement for veterans.
1514 5. Employment and training activities carried out under
1515 funds awarded to this state by the United States Department of
1516 Housing and Urban Development.
1517 6. Welfare transition services funded by the Temporary
1518 Assistance for Needy Families Program, created under the
1519 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
1520 of 1996, as amended, Pub. L. No. 104-193, and Title IV, s. 403,
1521 of the Social Security Act, as amended.
1522 7. Displaced homemaker programs, provided under s. 446.50.
1523 8. The Florida Bonding Program, provided under Pub. L. No.
1524 97-300, s. 164(a)(1).
1525 9. The Food Assistance Employment and Training Program,
1526 provided under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. ss.
1527 2011-2032; the Food Security Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 99-198;
1528 and the Hunger Prevention Act, Pub. L. No. 100-435.
1529 10. The Quick-Response Training Program, provided under ss.
1530 288.046-288.047. Matching funds and in-kind contributions that
1531 are provided by clients of the Quick-Response Training Program
1532 shall count toward the requirements of s. 288.904, pertaining to
1533 the return on investment from activities of Enterprise Florida,
1534 Inc.
1535 11. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit, provided under the Tax
1536 and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-277, and
1537 the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-34.
1538 12. Offender placement services, provided under ss.
1539 944.707-944.708.
1540 (c) The department may adopt rules necessary to administer
1541 the provisions of this chapter which relate to implementing and
1542 administering the programs listed in paragraph (b) as well as
1543 rules related to eligible training providers and auditing and
1544 monitoring subrecipients of the workforce system grant funds.
1545 (d) Contracting with public and private entities as
1546 necessary to further the directives of this section. All
1547 contracts executed by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1548 Florida, Inc., must include specific performance expectations
1549 and deliverables. All CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1550 Florida, Inc., contracts, including those solicited, managed, or
1551 paid by the department pursuant to s. 20.60(5)(c) are exempt
1552 from s. 112.061, but shall be governed by subsection (1).
1553 (e) Notifying the Governor, the President of the Senate,
1554 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of noncompliance
1555 by the department or other agencies or obstruction of the
1556 board’s efforts by such agencies. Upon such notification, the
1557 Executive Office of the Governor shall assist agencies to bring
1558 them into compliance with board objectives.
1559 (f) Ensuring that the state does not waste valuable
1560 training resources. Thus, The board shall direct that all
1561 resources, including equipment purchased for training Workforce
1562 Investment Act clients, be available for use at all times by
1563 eligible populations as first priority users. At times when
1564 eligible populations are not available, such resources shall be
1565 used for any other state-authorized state authorized education
1566 and training purpose. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1567 Florida, Inc., may authorize expenditures to award suitable
1568 framed certificates, pins, or other tokens of recognition for
1569 performance by a regional workforce board, its committees and
1570 subdivisions, and other units of the workforce system.
1571 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may also
1572 authorize expenditures for promotional items, such as t-shirts,
1573 hats, or pens printed with messages promoting the state’s
1574 workforce system to employers, job seekers, and program
1575 participants. However, such expenditures are subject to federal
1576 regulations applicable to the expenditure of federal funds.
1577 (g) Establishing Establish a dispute resolution process for
1578 all memoranda of understanding or other contracts or agreements
1579 entered into between the department and regional workforce
1580 boards.
1581 (h) Archiving records with the Bureau of Archives and
1582 Records Management of the Division of Library and Information
1583 Services of the Department of State.
1584 (6) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1585 take action that it deems necessary to achieve the purposes of
1586 this section, including, but not limited to:
1587 (a) Creating a state employment, education, and training
1588 policy that ensures that programs to prepare workers are
1589 responsive to present and future business and industry needs and
1590 complement the initiatives of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
1591 (b) Establishing policy direction for a funding system that
1592 provides incentives to improve the outcomes of career education,
1593 programs, and of registered apprenticeship, and work-based
1594 learning programs, and that focuses resources on occupations
1595 related to new or emerging industries that add greatly to the
1596 value of the state’s economy.
1597 (c) Establishing a comprehensive policy related to the
1598 education and training of target populations such as those who
1599 have disabilities, are economically disadvantaged, receive
1600 public assistance, are not proficient in English, or are
1601 dislocated workers. This approach should ensure the effective
1602 use of federal, state, local, and private resources in reducing
1603 the need for public assistance.
1604 (d) Designating Institutes of Applied Technology composed
1605 of public and private postsecondary institutions working
1606 together with business and industry to ensure that career
1607 education programs use the most advanced technology and
1608 instructional methods available and respond to the changing
1609 needs of business and industry.
1610 (e) Providing policy direction for a system to project and
1611 evaluate labor market supply and demand using the results of the
1612 Workforce Estimating Conference created in s. 216.136 and the
1613 career education performance standards identified under s.
1614 1008.43.
1615 (f) Reviewing the performance of public programs that are
1616 responsible for economic development, education, employment, and
1617 training. The review must include an analysis of the return on
1618 investment of these programs.
1619 (g) Expanding the occupations identified by the Workforce
1620 Estimating Conference to meet needs created by local emergencies
1621 or plant closings or to capture occupations within emerging
1622 industries.
1623 (7) By December 1 of each year, CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1624 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall submit to the Governor, the
1625 President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
1626 Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House
1627 Minority Leader a complete and detailed annual report setting
1628 forth:
1629 (a) All audits, including any the audit conducted under in
1630 subsection (8), if conducted.
1631 (b) The operations and accomplishments of the board,
1632 including the programs or entities specified listed in
1633 subsection (6).
1634 (8) The Auditor General may, Pursuant to his or her own
1635 authority or at the direction of the Legislative Auditing
1636 Committee, the Auditor General may conduct an audit of
1637 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or the
1638 programs or entities created by CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1639 Workforce Florida, Inc. The Office of Program Policy Analysis
1640 and Government Accountability, pursuant to its authority or at
1641 the direction of the Legislative Auditing Committee, may review
1642 the systems and controls related to performance outcomes and
1643 quality of services of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1644 Florida, Inc.
1645 (9) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., in
1646 collaboration with the regional workforce boards and appropriate
1647 state agencies and local public and private service providers,
1648 and in consultation with the Office of Program Policy Analysis
1649 and Government Accountability, shall establish uniform measures
1650 and standards to gauge the performance of the workforce
1651 development strategy. These measures and standards must be
1652 organized into three outcome tiers.
1653 (a) The first tier of measures must be organized to provide
1654 benchmarks for systemwide outcomes. CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1655 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall must, in collaboration with the
1656 Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability,
1657 establish goals for the tier-one outcomes. Systemwide outcomes
1658 may include employment in occupations demonstrating continued
1659 growth in wages; continued employment after 3, 6, 12, and 24
1660 months; reduction in and elimination of public assistance
1661 reliance; job placement; employer satisfaction; and positive
1662 return on investment of public resources.
1663 (b) The second tier of measures must be organized to
1664 provide a set of benchmark outcomes for the strategic components
1665 of the workforce development strategy. Cost per entered
1666 employment, earnings at placement, retention in employment, job
1667 placement, and entered employment rate must be included among
1668 the performance outcome measures.
1669 (c) The third tier of measures must be the operational
1670 output measures to be used by the agency implementing programs,
1671 which and it may be specific to federal requirements. The tier
1672 three measures must be developed by the agencies implementing
1673 programs, which and Workforce Florida, Inc., may consult with
1674 CareerSource Florida, Inc., be consulted in this effort. Such
1675 measures must be reported to CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1676 Workforce Florida, Inc., by the appropriate implementing agency.
1677 (d) Regional differences must be reflected in the
1678 establishment of performance goals and may include job
1679 availability, unemployment rates, average worker wage, and
1680 available employable population.
1681 (e) Job placement must be reported pursuant to s. 1008.39.
1682 Positive outcomes for providers of education and training must
1683 be consistent with ss. 1008.42 and 1008.43.
1684 (f) The uniform measures of success that are adopted by
1685 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or the
1686 regional workforce boards must be developed in a manner that
1687 provides for an equitable comparison of the relative success or
1688 failure of any service provider in terms of positive outcomes.
1689 (g) By December 1 of each year, CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1690 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall provide the Legislature with a
1691 report detailing the performance of Florida’s workforce
1692 development system, as reflected in the three-tier measurement
1693 system. The Additionally, this report also must benchmark
1694 Florida outcomes for, at all tiers as compared with, against
1695 other states that collect data similarly.
1696 (10) The workforce development strategy for the state shall
1697 be designed by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
1698 Inc. The strategy must include efforts that enlist business,
1699 education, and community support for students to achieve long
1700 term career goals, ensuring that young people have the academic
1701 and occupational skills required to succeed in the workplace.
1702 The strategy must also assist employers in upgrading or updating
1703 the skills of their employees and assisting workers to acquire
1704 the education or training needed to secure a better job with
1705 better wages. The strategy must assist the state’s efforts to
1706 attract and expand job-creating businesses offering high-paying,
1707 high-demand occupations.
1708 (11) The workforce development system must shall use a
1709 charter-process approach aimed at encouraging local design and
1710 control of service delivery and targeted activities.
1711 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall be
1712 responsible for granting charters to regional workforce boards
1713 that have a membership consistent with the requirements of
1714 federal and state law and that have developed a plan consistent
1715 with the state’s workforce development strategy. The plan must
1716 specify methods for allocating the resources and programs in a
1717 manner that eliminates unwarranted duplication, minimizes
1718 administrative costs, meets the existing job market demands and
1719 the job market demands resulting from successful economic
1720 development activities, ensures access to quality workforce
1721 development services for all Floridians, allows for pro rata or
1722 partial distribution of benefits and services, prohibits the
1723 creation of a waiting list or other indication of an unserved
1724 population, serves as many individuals as possible within
1725 available resources, and maximizes successful outcomes. As part
1726 of the charter process, CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1727 Florida, Inc., shall establish incentives for effective
1728 coordination of federal and state programs, outline rewards for
1729 successful job placements, and institute collaborative
1730 approaches among local service providers. Local decisionmaking
1731 and control shall be important components for inclusion in this
1732 charter application.
1733 (12) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1734 shall enter into agreement with Space Florida and collaborate
1735 with vocational institutes, community colleges, colleges, and
1736 universities in this state, to develop a workforce development
1737 strategy to implement the workforce provisions of s. 331.3051.
1738 Section 29. Subsections (1) and (2), paragraph (g) of
1739 subsection (3), and paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
1740 445.006, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1741 445.006 Strategic and operational plans for workforce
1742 development.—
1743 (1) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., in
1744 conjunction with state and local partners in the workforce
1745 system, shall develop a strategic plan that produces skilled
1746 employees for employers in the state. The strategic plan shall
1747 be updated or modified by January 1 of each year. The plan must
1748 include, but need not be limited to, strategies for:
1749 (a) Fulfilling the workforce system goals and strategies
1750 prescribed in s. 445.004;
1751 (b) Aggregating, integrating, and leveraging workforce
1752 system resources;
1753 (c) Coordinating the activities of federal, state, and
1754 local workforce system partners;
1755 (d) Addressing the workforce needs of small businesses; and
1756 (e) Fostering the participation of rural communities and
1757 distressed urban cores in the workforce system.
1758 (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1759 shall establish an operational plan to implement the state
1760 strategic plan. The operational plan shall be submitted to the
1761 Governor and the Legislature along with the strategic plan and
1762 must reflect the allocation of resources as appropriated by the
1763 Legislature to specific responsibilities enumerated in law. As a
1764 component of the operational plan required under this section,
1765 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall
1766 develop a workforce marketing plan, with the goal of educating
1767 individuals inside and outside the state about the employment
1768 market and employment conditions in the state. The marketing
1769 plan must include, but need not be limited to, strategies for:
1770 (a) Distributing information to secondary and postsecondary
1771 education institutions about the diversity of businesses in the
1772 state, specific clusters of businesses or business sectors in
1773 the state, and occupations by industry which are in demand by
1774 employers in the state;
1775 (b) Distributing information about and promoting use of the
1776 Internet-based job matching and labor market information system
1777 authorized under s. 445.011; and
1778 (c) Coordinating with Enterprise Florida, Inc., to ensure
1779 that workforce marketing efforts complement the economic
1780 development marketing efforts of the state.
1781 (3) The operational plan must include performance measures,
1782 standards, measurement criteria, and contract guidelines in the
1783 following areas with respect to participants in the welfare
1784 transition program:
1785 (g) Other issues identified by the board of directors of
1786 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
1787 (6)(a) The operational plan must include strategies that
1788 are designed to prevent or reduce the need for a person to
1789 receive public assistance, including:
1790 1. A teen pregnancy prevention component that includes, but
1791 is not limited to, a plan for implementing the Teen Pregnancy
1792 Prevention Community Initiative within each county of the
1793 services area in which the teen birth rate is higher than the
1794 state average;
1795 2. A component that encourages community-based welfare
1796 prevention and reduction initiatives that increase support
1797 provided by noncustodial parents to their welfare-dependent
1798 children and are consistent with program and financial
1799 guidelines developed by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1800 Florida, Inc., and the Commission on Responsible Fatherhood.
1801 These initiatives may include improved paternity establishment,
1802 work activities for noncustodial parents, programs aimed at
1803 decreasing out-of-wedlock pregnancies, encouraging involvement
1804 of fathers with their children which includes court-ordered
1805 supervised visitation, and increasing child support payments;
1806 3. A component that encourages formation and maintenance of
1807 two-parent families through, among other things, court-ordered
1808 supervised visitation;
1809 4. A component that fosters responsible fatherhood in
1810 families receiving assistance; and
1811 5. A component that fosters the provision of services that
1812 reduce the incidence and effects of domestic violence on women
1813 and children in families receiving assistance.
1814 Section 30. Subsections (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10),
1815 (11), and (12) of section 445.007, Florida Statutes, are amended
1816 to read:
1817 445.007 Regional workforce boards.—
1818 (3) The Department of Economic Opportunity, under the
1819 direction of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1820 shall assign staff to meet with each regional workforce board
1821 annually to review the board’s performance and to certify that
1822 the board is in compliance with applicable state and federal
1823 law.
1824 (4) In addition to the duties and functions specified by
1825 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and by the
1826 interlocal agreement approved by the local county or city
1827 governing bodies, the regional workforce board shall have the
1828 following responsibilities:
1829 (a) Develop, submit, ratify, or amend the local plan
1830 pursuant to Pub. L. No. 105-220, Title I, s. 118, and the
1831 provisions of this act.
1832 (b) Conclude agreements necessary to designate the fiscal
1833 agent and administrative entity. A public or private entity,
1834 including an entity established pursuant to s. 163.01, which
1835 makes a majority of the appointments to a regional workforce
1836 board may serve as the board’s administrative entity if approved
1837 by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., based
1838 upon a showing that a fair and competitive process was used to
1839 select the administrative entity.
1840 (c) Complete assurances required for the charter process of
1841 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and provide
1842 ongoing oversight related to administrative costs, duplicated
1843 services, career counseling, economic development, equal access,
1844 compliance and accountability, and performance outcomes.
1845 (d) Oversee the one-stop delivery system in its local area.
1846 (5) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1847 shall implement a training program for the regional workforce
1848 boards to familiarize board members with the state’s workforce
1849 development goals and strategies.
1850 (6) The regional workforce board shall designate all local
1851 service providers and may not transfer this authority to a third
1852 party. Consistent with the intent of the Workforce Investment
1853 Act, regional workforce boards should provide the greatest
1854 possible choice of training providers to those who qualify for
1855 training services. A regional workforce board may not restrict
1856 the choice of training providers based upon cost, location, or
1857 historical training arrangements. However, a board may restrict
1858 the amount of training resources available to any one client.
1859 Such restrictions may vary based upon the cost of training in
1860 the client’s chosen occupational area. The regional workforce
1861 board may be designated as a one-stop operator and direct
1862 provider of intake, assessment, eligibility determinations, or
1863 other direct provider services except training services. Such
1864 designation may occur only with the agreement of the chief
1865 elected official and the Governor as specified in 29 U.S.C. s.
1866 2832(f)(2). CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1867 shall establish procedures by which a regional workforce board
1868 may request permission to operate under this section and the
1869 criteria under which such permission may be granted. The
1870 criteria shall include, but need not be limited to, a reduction
1871 in the cost of providing the permitted services. Such permission
1872 shall be granted for a period not to exceed 3 years for any
1873 single request submitted by the regional workforce board.
1874 (7) Regional workforce boards shall adopt a committee
1875 structure consistent with applicable federal law and state
1876 policies established by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1877 Florida, Inc.
1878 (9) For purposes of procurement, regional workforce boards
1879 and their administrative entities are not state agencies and are
1880 exempt from chapters 120 and 287. The regional workforce boards
1881 shall apply the procurement and expenditure procedures required
1882 by federal law and policies of the Department of Economic
1883 Opportunity and CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
1884 Inc., for the expenditure of federal, state, and nonpass-through
1885 funds. The making or approval of smaller, multiple payments for
1886 a single purchase with the intent to avoid or evade the monetary
1887 thresholds and procedures established by federal law and
1888 policies of the Department of Economic Opportunity and
1889 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., is grounds
1890 for removal for cause. Regional workforce boards, their
1891 administrative entities, committees, and subcommittees, and
1892 other workforce units may authorize expenditures to award
1893 suitable framed certificates, pins, or other tokens of
1894 recognition for performance by units of the workforce system.
1895 Regional workforce boards; their administrative entities,
1896 committees, and subcommittees; and other workforce units may
1897 authorize expenditures for promotional items, such as t-shirts,
1898 hats, or pens printed with messages promoting Florida’s
1899 workforce system to employers, job seekers, and program
1900 participants. However, such expenditures are subject to federal
1901 regulations applicable to the expenditure of federal funds. All
1902 contracts executed by regional workforce boards must include
1903 specific performance expectations and deliverables.
1904 (10) State and federal funds provided to the regional
1905 workforce boards may not be used directly or indirectly to pay
1906 for meals, food, or beverages for board members, staff, or
1907 employees of regional workforce boards, CareerSource Florida,
1908 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or the Department of Economic
1909 Opportunity except as expressly authorized by state law.
1910 Preapproved, reasonable, and necessary per diem allowances and
1911 travel expenses may be reimbursed. Such reimbursement shall be
1912 at the standard travel reimbursement rates established in s.
1913 112.061 and shall be in compliance with all applicable federal
1914 and state requirements. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1915 Florida, Inc., shall develop a statewide fiscal policy
1916 applicable to the state board and all regional workforce boards,
1917 to hold both the state and regional boards strictly accountable
1918 for adherence to the policy and subject to regular and periodic
1919 monitoring by the Department of Economic Opportunity, the
1920 administrative entity for CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1921 Florida, Inc. Boards are prohibited from expending state or
1922 federal funds for entertainment costs and recreational
1923 activities for board members and employees as these terms are
1924 defined by 2 C.F.R. part 230.
1925 (11) To increase transparency and accountability, a
1926 regional workforce board must comply with the requirements of
1927 this section before contracting with a member of the board or a
1928 relative, as defined in s. 112.3143(1)(c), of a board member or
1929 of an employee of the board. Such contracts may not be executed
1930 before or without the approval of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1931 Workforce Florida, Inc. Such contracts, as well as documentation
1932 demonstrating adherence to this section as specified by
1933 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., must be
1934 submitted to the Department of Economic Opportunity for review
1935 and recommendation according to criteria to be determined by
1936 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc. Such a
1937 contract must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the board, a
1938 quorum having been established; all conflicts of interest must
1939 be disclosed before the vote; and any member who may benefit
1940 from the contract, or whose relative may benefit from the
1941 contract, must abstain from the vote. A contract under $25,000
1942 between a regional workforce board and a member of that board or
1943 between a relative, as defined in s. 112.3143(1)(c), of a board
1944 member or of an employee of the board is not required to have
1945 the prior approval of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1946 Florida, Inc., but must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the
1947 board, a quorum having been established, and must be reported to
1948 the Department of Economic Opportunity and CareerSource Florida,
1949 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., within 30 days after approval. If
1950 a contract cannot be approved by CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1951 Workforce Florida, Inc., a review of the decision to disapprove
1952 the contract may be requested by the regional workforce board or
1953 other parties to the disapproved contract.
1954 (12) Each regional workforce board shall develop a budget
1955 for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the board under
1956 this section, subject to the approval of the chief elected
1957 official. Each regional workforce board shall submit its annual
1958 budget for review to CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
1959 Florida, Inc., no later than 2 weeks after the chair approves
1960 the budget.
1961 Section 31. Subsections (1) and (4) of section 445.0071,
1962 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1963 445.0071 Florida Youth Summer Jobs Pilot Program.—
1964 (1) CREATION.—Contingent upon appropriations, there is
1965 created the Florida Youth Summer Jobs Pilot Program within
1966 workforce development district 22 served by the Broward
1967 Workforce Development Board. The board shall, in consultation
1968 with CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., provide
1969 a program offering at-risk and disadvantaged children summer
1970 jobs in partnership with local communities and public employers.
1971 (4) GOVERNANCE.—
1972 (a) The pilot program shall be administered by the regional
1973 workforce board in consultation with CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1974 Workforce Florida, Inc.
1975 (b) The regional workforce board shall report to
1976 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., the number
1977 of at-risk and disadvantaged children who enter the program, the
1978 types of work activities they participate in, and the number of
1979 children who return to school, go on to postsecondary school, or
1980 enter the workforce full time at the end of the program.
1981 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall report
1982 to the Legislature by November 1 of each year on the performance
1983 of the program.
1984 Section 32. Section 445.008, Florida Statutes, is amended
1985 to read:
1986 445.008 Workforce Training Institute.—
1987 (1) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1988 create the Workforce Training Institute, which shall be a
1989 comprehensive program of workforce training courses designed to
1990 meet the unique needs of, and shall include Internet-based
1991 training modules suitable for and made available to,
1992 professionals integral to the workforce system, including
1993 advisors and counselors in educational institutions.
1994 (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
1995 enter into a contract for the provision of administrative
1996 support services for the institute and. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
1997 shall adopt policies for the administration and operation of the
1998 institute and establish admission fees in an amount which, in
1999 the aggregate, does not exceed the cost of the program.
2000 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may accept
2001 donations or grants of any type for any function or purpose of
2002 the institute.
2003 (3) All moneys, fees, donations, or grants collected by
2004 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., under this
2005 section shall be applied to cover all costs incurred in
2006 establishing and conducting the workforce training programs
2007 authorized under this section, including, but not limited to,
2008 salaries for instructors and costs of materials connected to
2009 such programs.
2010 Section 33. Subsections (2) and (4), paragraph (b) of
2011 subsection (6), subsection (7), paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of
2012 subsection (8), and subsection (9) of section 445.009, Florida
2013 Statutes, are amended to read:
2014 445.009 One-stop delivery system.—
2015 (2)(a) Subject to a process designed by CareerSource
2016 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and in compliance with
2017 Pub. L. No. 105-220, regional workforce boards shall designate
2018 one-stop delivery system operators.
2019 (b) A regional workforce board may designate as its one
2020 stop delivery system operator any public or private entity that
2021 is eligible to provide services under any state or federal
2022 workforce program that is a mandatory or discretionary partner
2023 in the region’s one-stop delivery system if approved by
2024 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., upon a
2025 showing by the regional workforce board that a fair and
2026 competitive process was used in the selection. As a condition of
2027 authorizing a regional workforce board to designate such an
2028 entity as its one-stop delivery system operator, CareerSource
2029 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., must require the regional
2030 workforce board to demonstrate that safeguards are in place to
2031 ensure that the one-stop delivery system operator will not
2032 exercise an unfair competitive advantage or unfairly refer or
2033 direct customers of the one-stop delivery system to services
2034 provided by that one-stop delivery system operator. A regional
2035 workforce board may retain its current One-Stop Career Center
2036 operator without further procurement action if where the board
2037 has an established a One-Stop Career Center that has complied
2038 with federal and state law.
2039 (4) One-stop delivery system partners shall enter into a
2040 memorandum of understanding pursuant to Pub. L. No. 105-220,
2041 Title I, s. 121, with the regional workforce board. Failure of a
2042 local partner to participate cannot unilaterally block the
2043 majority of partners from moving forward with their one-stop
2044 delivery system, and CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2045 Florida, Inc., pursuant to s. 445.004(5)(e), may make
2046 notification of a local partner that fails to participate.
2047 (6)
2048 (b) To expand electronic capabilities, CareerSource
2049 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., working with regional
2050 workforce boards, shall develop a centralized help center to
2051 assist regional workforce boards in fulfilling core services,
2052 minimizing the need for fixed-site one-stop delivery system
2053 centers.
2054 (7) Intensive services and training provided pursuant to
2055 Pub. L. No. 105-220, shall be provided to individuals through
2056 Intensive Service Accounts and Individual Training Accounts.
2057 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall
2058 develop an implementation plan, including identification of
2059 initially eligible training providers, transition guidelines,
2060 and criteria for use of these accounts. Individual Training
2061 Accounts must be compatible with Individual Development Accounts
2062 for education allowed in federal and state welfare reform
2063 statutes.
2064 (8)(a) Individual Training Accounts must be expended on
2065 programs that prepare people to enter high-wage occupations
2066 identified by the Workforce Estimating Conference created by s.
2067 216.136, and on other programs as approved by CareerSource
2068 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
2069 (c) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2070 shall periodically review Individual Training Account pricing
2071 schedules developed by regional workforce boards and present
2072 findings and recommendations for process improvement to the
2073 President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
2074 Representatives.
2075 (d) To the maximum extent possible, training providers
2076 shall use funding sources other than the funding provided under
2077 Pub. L. No. 105-220. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2078 Florida, Inc., shall develop a system to encourage the
2079 leveraging of appropriated resources for the workforce system
2080 and shall report on such efforts as part of the required annual
2081 report.
2082 (9)(a) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2083 working with the department, shall coordinate among the agencies
2084 a plan for a One-Stop Electronic Network made up of one-stop
2085 delivery system centers and other partner agencies that are
2086 operated by authorized public or private for-profit or not-for
2087 profit agents. The plan shall identify resources within existing
2088 revenues to establish and support this electronic network for
2089 service delivery that includes Government Services Direct. If
2090 necessary, the plan shall identify additional funding needed to
2091 achieve the provisions of this subsection.
2092 (b) The network shall assure that a uniform method is used
2093 to determine eligibility for and management of services provided
2094 by agencies that conduct workforce development activities. The
2095 Department of Management Services shall develop strategies to
2096 allow access to the databases and information management systems
2097 of the following systems in order to link information in those
2098 databases with the one-stop delivery system:
2099 1. The Reemployment Assistance Program under chapter 443.
2100 2. The public employment service described in s. 443.181.
2101 3. The FLORIDA System and the components related to
2102 temporary cash assistance, food assistance, and Medicaid
2103 eligibility.
2104 4. The Student Financial Assistance System of the
2105 Department of Education.
2106 5. Enrollment in the public postsecondary education system.
2107 6. Other information systems determined appropriate by
2108 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
2109 Section 34. Section 445.011, Florida Statutes, is amended
2110 to read:
2111 445.011 Workforce information systems.—
2112 (1) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2113 shall implement, subject to legislative appropriation, automated
2114 information systems that are necessary for the efficient and
2115 effective operation and management of the workforce development
2116 system. These information systems shall include, but need not be
2117 limited to, the following:
2118 (a) An integrated management system for the one-stop
2119 service delivery system, which includes, at a minimum, common
2120 registration and intake, screening for needs and benefits, case
2121 planning and tracking, training benefits management, service and
2122 training provider management, performance reporting, executive
2123 information and reporting, and customer-satisfaction tracking
2124 and reporting.
2125 1. The system should report current budgeting, expenditure,
2126 and performance information for assessing performance related to
2127 outcomes, service delivery, and financial administration for
2128 workforce programs pursuant to s. 445.004(5) and (9).
2129 2. The information system should include auditable systems
2130 and controls to ensure financial integrity and valid and
2131 reliable performance information.
2132 3. The system should support service integration and case
2133 management by providing for case tracking for participants in
2134 welfare transition programs.
2135 (b) An automated job-matching information system that is
2136 accessible to employers, job seekers, and other users via the
2137 Internet, and that includes, at a minimum:
2138 1. Skill match information, including skill gap analysis;
2139 resume creation; job order creation; skill tests; job search by
2140 area, employer type, and employer name; and training provider
2141 linkage;
2142 2. Job market information based on surveys, including
2143 local, state, regional, national, and international occupational
2144 and job availability information; and
2145 3. Service provider information, including education and
2146 training providers, child care facilities and related
2147 information, health and social service agencies, and other
2148 providers of services that would be useful to job seekers.
2149 (2) In procuring workforce information systems,
2150 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall employ
2151 competitive processes, including requests for proposals,
2152 competitive negotiation, and other competitive processes to
2153 ensure that the procurement results in the most cost-effective
2154 investment of state funds.
2155 (3) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
2156 procure independent verification and validation services
2157 associated with developing and implementing any workforce
2158 information system.
2159 (4) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2160 shall coordinate development and implementation of workforce
2161 information systems with the executive director of the Agency
2162 for State Technology to ensure compatibility with the state’s
2163 information system strategy and enterprise architecture.
2164 Section 35. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 445.014,
2165 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2166 445.014 Small business workforce service initiative.—
2167 (1) Subject to legislative appropriation, CareerSource
2168 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall establish a program
2169 to encourage regional workforce development boards to establish
2170 one-stop delivery systems that maximize the provision of
2171 workforce and human-resource support services to small
2172 businesses. Under the program, a regional workforce board may
2173 apply, on a competitive basis, for funds to support the
2174 provision of such services to small businesses through the
2175 region’s one-stop delivery system.
2176 (3) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2177 shall establish guidelines governing the administration of this
2178 program and shall establish criteria to be used in evaluating
2179 applications for funding. Such criteria must include, but need
2180 not be limited to, a showing that the regional board has in
2181 place a detailed plan for establishing a one-stop delivery
2182 system designed to meet the workforce needs of small businesses
2183 and for leveraging other funding sources in support of such
2184 activities.
2185 Section 36. Subsection (5) of section 445.016, Florida
2186 Statutes, is amended to read:
2187 445.016 Untried Worker Placement and Employment Incentive
2188 Act.—
2189 (5) Incentives must be paid according to the incentive
2190 schedule developed by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2191 Florida, Inc., the Department of Economic Opportunity, and the
2192 Department of Children and Families which costs the state less
2193 per placement than the state’s 12-month expenditure on a welfare
2194 recipient.
2195 Section 37. Subsections (2) and (4) of section 445.021,
2196 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2197 445.021 Relocation assistance program.—
2198 (2) The relocation assistance program shall involve five
2199 steps by the regional workforce board, in cooperation with the
2200 Department of Children and Families:
2201 (a) A determination that the family is receiving temporary
2202 cash assistance or that all requirements of eligibility for
2203 diversion services would likely be met.
2204 (b) A determination that there is a basis for believing
2205 that relocation will contribute to the ability of the applicant
2206 to achieve self-sufficiency. For example, the applicant:
2207 1. Is unlikely to achieve economic self-sufficiency at the
2208 current community of residence;
2209 2. Has secured a job that provides an increased salary or
2210 improved benefits and that requires relocation to another
2211 community;
2212 3. Has a family support network that will contribute to job
2213 retention in another community;
2214 4. Is determined, pursuant to criteria or procedures
2215 established by the board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
2216 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., to be a victim of domestic
2217 violence who would experience reduced probability of further
2218 incidents through relocation; or
2219 5. Must relocate in order to receive education or training
2220 that is directly related to the applicant’s employment or career
2221 advancement.
2222 (c) Establishment of a relocation plan that includes such
2223 requirements as are necessary to prevent abuse of the benefit
2224 and provisions to protect the safety of victims of domestic
2225 violence and avoid provisions that place them in anticipated
2226 danger. The payment to defray relocation expenses shall be
2227 determined based on criteria approved by the board of directors
2228 of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
2229 Participants in the relocation program shall be eligible for
2230 diversion or transitional benefits.
2231 (d) A determination, pursuant to criteria adopted by the
2232 board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2233 Florida, Inc., that a community receiving a relocated family has
2234 the capacity to provide needed services and employment
2235 opportunities.
2236 (e) Monitoring the relocation.
2237 (4) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2238 Workforce Florida, Inc., may establish criteria for developing
2239 and implementing relocation plans and for drafting agreements to
2240 restrict a family from applying for temporary cash assistance
2241 for a specified period after receiving a relocation assistance
2242 payment.
2243 Section 38. Section 445.022, Florida Statutes, is amended
2244 to read:
2245 445.022 Retention Incentive Training Accounts.—To promote
2246 job retention and to enable upward job advancement into higher
2247 skilled, higher paying employment, the board of directors of
2248 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and the
2249 regional workforce boards may assemble, from postsecondary
2250 education institutions, a list of programs and courses offered
2251 by postsecondary educational institutions which may be available
2252 to for participants who have become employed to which promote
2253 job retention and advancement.
2254 (1) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2255 Workforce Florida, Inc., may establish Retention Incentive
2256 Training Accounts (RITAs) to use. RITAs shall utilize Temporary
2257 Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds
2258 specifically appropriated for this purpose. RITAs must
2259 complement the Individual Training Account required by the
2260 federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-220.
2261 (2) RITAs may pay for tuition, fees, educational materials,
2262 coaching and mentoring, performance incentives, transportation
2263 to and from courses, child care costs during education courses,
2264 and other such costs as the regional workforce boards determine
2265 are necessary to effect successful job retention and
2266 advancement.
2267 (3) Regional workforce boards shall retain only those
2268 courses that continue to meet their performance standards as
2269 established in their local plan.
2270 (4) Regional workforce boards shall report annually to the
2271 Legislature on the measurable retention and advancement success
2272 of each program provider and the effectiveness of RITAs, making
2273 recommendations for any needed changes or modifications.
2274 Section 39. Paragraph (e) of subsection (5) of section
2275 445.024, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2276 445.024 Work requirements.—
2277 (5) USE OF CONTRACTS.—Regional workforce boards shall
2278 provide work activities, training, and other services, as
2279 appropriate, through contracts. In contracting for work
2280 activities, training, or services, the following applies:
2281 (e) The administrative costs associated with a contract for
2282 services provided under this section may not exceed the
2283 applicable administrative cost ceiling established in federal
2284 law. An agency or entity that is awarded a contract under this
2285 section may not charge more than 7 percent of the value of the
2286 contract for administration, unless an exception is approved by
2287 the regional workforce board. A list of any exceptions approved
2288 must be submitted to the board of directors of CareerSource
2289 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., for review, and the board
2290 may rescind approval of the exception.
2291 Section 40. Subsection (6) of section 445.026, Florida
2292 Statutes, is amended to read:
2293 445.026 Cash assistance severance benefit.—An individual
2294 who meets the criteria listed in this section may choose to
2295 receive a lump-sum payment in lieu of ongoing cash assistance
2296 payments, provided the individual:
2297 (6) Signs an agreement not to apply for or accept cash
2298 assistance for 6 months after receipt of the one-time payment.
2299 In the event of an emergency, such agreement shall provide for
2300 an exception to this restriction, provided that the one-time
2301 payment shall be deducted from any cash assistance for which the
2302 family subsequently is approved. This deduction may be prorated
2303 over an 8-month period. The board of directors of CareerSource
2304 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall adopt criteria
2305 defining the conditions under which a family may receive cash
2306 assistance due to such emergency.
2307
2308 Such individual may choose to accept a one-time, lump-sum
2309 payment of $1,000 in lieu of receiving ongoing cash assistance.
2310 Such payment shall only count toward the time limitation for the
2311 month in which the payment is made in lieu of cash assistance. A
2312 participant choosing to accept such payment shall be terminated
2313 from cash assistance. However, eligibility for Medicaid, food
2314 assistance, or child care shall continue, subject to the
2315 eligibility requirements of those programs.
2316 Section 41. Section 445.028, Florida Statutes, is amended
2317 to read:
2318 445.028 Transitional benefits and services.—In cooperation
2319 with CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., the
2320 Department of Children and Families shall develop procedures to
2321 ensure that families leaving the temporary cash assistance
2322 program receive transitional benefits and services that will
2323 assist the family in moving toward self-sufficiency. At a
2324 minimum, such procedures must include, but are not limited to,
2325 the following:
2326 (1) Each recipient of cash assistance who is determined
2327 ineligible for cash assistance for a reason other than a work
2328 activity sanction shall be contacted by the workforce system
2329 case manager and provided information about the availability of
2330 transitional benefits and services. Such contact shall be
2331 attempted prior to closure of the case management file.
2332 (2) Each recipient of temporary cash assistance who is
2333 determined ineligible for cash assistance due to noncompliance
2334 with the work activity requirements shall be contacted and
2335 provided information in accordance with s. 414.065(1).
2336 (3) The department, in consultation with the board of
2337 directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2338 shall develop informational material, including posters and
2339 brochures, to better inform families about the availability of
2340 transitional benefits and services.
2341 (4) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., in
2342 cooperation with the Department of Children and Families shall,
2343 to the extent permitted by federal law, develop procedures to
2344 maximize the utilization of transitional Medicaid by families
2345 who leave the temporary cash assistance program.
2346 Section 42. Section 445.030, Florida Statutes, is amended
2347 to read:
2348 445.030 Transitional education and training.—In order to
2349 assist former recipients of temporary cash assistance who are
2350 working or actively seeking employment in continuing their
2351 training and upgrading their skills, education, or training,
2352 support services may be provided for up to 2 years after the
2353 family is no longer receiving temporary cash assistance. This
2354 section does not constitute an entitlement to transitional
2355 education and training. If funds are not sufficient to provide
2356 services under this section, the board of directors of
2357 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may limit or
2358 otherwise prioritize transitional education and training.
2359 (1) Education or training resources available in the
2360 community at no additional cost shall be used whenever possible.
2361 (2) Regional workforce boards may authorize child care or
2362 other support services in addition to services provided in
2363 conjunction with employment. For example, a participant who is
2364 employed full time may receive child care services related to
2365 that employment and may also receive additional child care
2366 services in conjunction with training to upgrade the
2367 participant’s skills.
2368 (3) Transitional education or training must be job-related,
2369 but may include training to improve job skills in a
2370 participant’s existing area of employment or may include
2371 training to prepare a participant for employment in another
2372 occupation.
2373 (4) A regional workforce board may enter into an agreement
2374 with an employer to share the costs relating to upgrading the
2375 skills of participants hired by the employer. For example, a
2376 regional workforce board may agree to provide support services
2377 such as transportation or a wage subsidy in conjunction with
2378 training opportunities provided by the employer.
2379 Section 43. Section 445.033, Florida Statutes, is amended
2380 to read:
2381 445.033 Evaluation.—The board of directors of CareerSource
2382 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and the Department of
2383 Children and Families shall arrange for evaluation of TANF
2384 funded programs operated under this chapter, as follows:
2385 (1) If required by federal waivers or other federal
2386 requirements, the board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
2387 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and the department may provide for
2388 evaluation according to these requirements.
2389 (2) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2390 Workforce Florida, Inc., and the department shall participate in
2391 the evaluation of this program in conjunction with evaluation of
2392 the state’s workforce development programs or similar activities
2393 aimed at evaluating program outcomes, cost-effectiveness, or
2394 return on investment, and the impact of time limits, sanctions,
2395 and other welfare reform measures set out in this chapter.
2396 Evaluation shall also contain information on the number of
2397 participants in work experience assignments who obtain
2398 unsubsidized employment, including, but not limited to, the
2399 length of time the unsubsidized job is retained, wages, and the
2400 public benefits, if any, received by such families while in
2401 unsubsidized employment. The evaluation must shall solicit the
2402 input of consumers, community-based organizations, service
2403 providers, employers, and the general public, and must shall
2404 publicize, especially in low-income communities, the process for
2405 submitting comments.
2406 (3) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2407 Workforce Florida, Inc., and the department may share
2408 information with and develop protocols for information exchange
2409 with the Florida Education and Training Placement Information
2410 Program.
2411 (4) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2412 Workforce Florida, Inc., and the department may initiate or
2413 participate in additional evaluation or assessment activities
2414 that will further the systematic study of issues related to
2415 program goals and outcomes.
2416 (5) In providing for evaluation activities, the board of
2417 directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2418 and the department shall safeguard the use or disclosure of
2419 information obtained from program participants consistent with
2420 federal or state requirements. Evaluation methodologies may be
2421 used which are appropriate for evaluation of program activities,
2422 including random assignment of recipients or participants into
2423 program groups or control groups. To the extent necessary or
2424 appropriate, evaluation data shall provide information with
2425 respect to the state, district, or county, or other substate
2426 area.
2427 (6) The board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2428 Workforce Florida, Inc., and the department may contract with a
2429 qualified organization for evaluations conducted under this
2430 section.
2431 Section 44. Section 445.035, Florida Statutes, is amended
2432 to read:
2433 445.035 Data collection and reporting.—The Department of
2434 Children and Families and the board of directors of CareerSource
2435 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall collect data
2436 necessary to administer this chapter and make the reports
2437 required under federal law to the United States Department of
2438 Health and Human Services and the United States Department of
2439 Agriculture.
2440 Section 45. Section 445.038, Florida Statutes, is amended
2441 to read:
2442 445.038 Digital media; job training.—CareerSource Florida,
2443 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., through the Department of Economic
2444 Opportunity, may use funds dedicated for incumbent worker
2445 training for the digital media industry. Training may be
2446 provided by public or private training providers for broadband
2447 digital media jobs listed on the targeted occupations list
2448 developed by the Workforce Estimating Conference or CareerSource
2449 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc. Programs that operate
2450 outside the normal semester time periods and coordinate the use
2451 of industry and public resources should be given priority status
2452 for funding.
2453 Section 46. Section 445.045, Florida Statutes, is amended
2454 to read:
2455 445.045 Development of an Internet-based system for
2456 information technology industry promotion and workforce
2457 recruitment.—
2458 (1) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., is
2459 responsible for directing the development and maintenance of a
2460 website that promotes and markets the information technology
2461 industry in this state. The website shall be designed to inform
2462 the public concerning the scope of the information technology
2463 industry in the state and shall also be designed to address the
2464 workforce needs of the industry. The website must shall include,
2465 through links or actual content, information concerning
2466 information technology businesses in this state, including links
2467 to such businesses; information concerning employment available
2468 at these businesses; and the means by which a job seeker may
2469 post a resume on the website.
2470 (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2471 shall coordinate with the Agency for State Technology and the
2472 Department of Economic Opportunity to ensure links, as where
2473 feasible and appropriate, to existing job information websites
2474 maintained by the state and state agencies and to ensure that
2475 information technology positions offered by the state and state
2476 agencies are posted on the information technology website.
2477 (3) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2478 shall ensure that the website developed and maintained under
2479 this section is consistent, compatible, and coordinated with the
2480 workforce information systems required under s. 445.011,
2481 including, but not limited to, the automated job-matching
2482 information system for employers, job seekers, and other users.
2483 (4)(a) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2484 shall coordinate development and maintenance of the website
2485 under this section with the executive director of the Agency for
2486 State Technology to ensure compatibility with the state’s
2487 information system strategy and enterprise architecture.
2488 (b) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
2489 enter into an agreement with the Agency for State Technology,
2490 the Department of Economic Opportunity, or any other public
2491 agency with the requisite information technology expertise for
2492 the provision of design, operating, or other technological
2493 services necessary to develop and maintain the website.
2494 (c) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
2495 procure services necessary to implement this section, if it
2496 employs competitive processes, including requests for proposals,
2497 competitive negotiation, and other competitive processes to
2498 ensure that the procurement results in the most cost-effective
2499 investment of state funds.
2500 (5) In furtherance of the requirements of this section that
2501 the website promote and market the information technology
2502 industry by communicating information on the scope of the
2503 industry in this state, CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2504 Florida, Inc., shall coordinate its efforts with the high
2505 technology industry marketing efforts of Enterprise Florida,
2506 Inc., under s. 288.911. Through links or actual content, the
2507 website developed under this section shall serve as a forum for
2508 distributing the marketing campaign developed by Enterprise
2509 Florida, Inc., under s. 288.911. In addition, CareerSource
2510 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall solicit input from
2511 the not-for-profit corporation created to advocate on behalf of
2512 the information technology industry as an outgrowth of the
2513 Information Service Technology Development Task Force created
2514 under chapter 99-354, Laws of Florida.
2515 (6) In fulfilling its responsibilities under this section,
2516 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may enlist
2517 the assistance of and act through the Department of Economic
2518 Opportunity. The department is authorized and directed to
2519 provide the services that CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2520 Florida, Inc., and the department consider necessary to
2521 implement this section.
2522 Section 47. Section 445.048, Florida Statutes, is amended
2523 to read:
2524 445.048 Passport to Economic Progress program.—
2525 (1) AUTHORIZATION.—Notwithstanding any law to the contrary,
2526 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., in
2527 conjunction with the Department of Children and Families and the
2528 Department of Economic Opportunity, shall implement a Passport
2529 to Economic Progress program consistent with the provisions of
2530 this section. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
2531 Inc., may designate regional workforce boards to participate in
2532 the program. Expenses for the program may come from appropriated
2533 revenues or from funds otherwise available to a regional
2534 workforce board which may be legally used for such purposes.
2535 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., must consult
2536 with the applicable regional workforce boards and the applicable
2537 local offices of the Department of Children and Families which
2538 serve the program areas and must encourage community input into
2539 the implementation process.
2540 (2) WAIVERS.—If CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2541 Florida, Inc., in consultation with the Department of Children
2542 and Families, finds that federal waivers would facilitate
2543 implementation of the program, the department shall immediately
2544 request such waivers, and CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2545 Florida, Inc., shall report to the Governor, the President of
2546 the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives if
2547 any refusal of the federal government to grant such waivers
2548 prevents the implementation of the program. If CareerSource
2549 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., finds that federal
2550 waivers to provisions of the Food Assistance Program would
2551 facilitate implementation of the program, the Department of
2552 Children and Families shall immediately request such waivers in
2553 accordance with s. 414.175.
2554 (3) TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES.—In order to assist
2555 them in making the transition to economic self-sufficiency,
2556 former recipients of temporary cash assistance participating in
2557 the passport program shall be eligible for the following
2558 benefits and services:
2559 (a) Notwithstanding the time period specified in s.
2560 445.030, transitional education and training support services as
2561 specified in s. 445.030 for up to 4 years after the family is no
2562 longer receiving temporary cash assistance;
2563 (b) Notwithstanding the time period specified in s.
2564 445.031, transitional transportation support services as
2565 specified in s. 445.031 for up to 4 years after the family is no
2566 longer receiving temporary cash assistance; and
2567 (c) Notwithstanding the time period specified in s.
2568 445.032, transitional child care as specified in s. 445.032 for
2569 up to 4 years after the family is no longer receiving temporary
2570 cash assistance.
2571
2572 All other provisions of ss. 445.030, 445.031, and 445.032 shall
2573 apply to such individuals, as appropriate. This subsection does
2574 not constitute an entitlement to transitional benefits and
2575 services. If funds are insufficient to provide benefits and
2576 services under this subsection, the board of directors of
2577 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., or its
2578 agent, may limit such benefits and services or otherwise
2579 establish priorities for the provisions of such benefits and
2580 services.
2581 (4) INCENTIVES TO ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY.—
2582 (a) The Legislature finds that:
2583 1. There are former recipients of temporary cash assistance
2584 and families who are eligible for temporary assistance for needy
2585 families who are working full time but whose incomes are below
2586 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
2587 2. Having incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty
2588 level makes such individuals particularly vulnerable to reliance
2589 on public assistance despite their best efforts to achieve or
2590 maintain economic independence through employment.
2591 3. It is necessary to implement a performance-based program
2592 that defines economic incentives for achieving specific
2593 benchmarks toward self-sufficiency while the individual is
2594 working full time.
2595 (b) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., in
2596 cooperation with the Department of Children and Families and the
2597 Department of Economic Opportunity, shall offer performance
2598 based incentive bonuses as a component of the Passport to
2599 Economic Progress program. The bonuses do not represent a
2600 program entitlement and are shall be contingent on achieving
2601 specific benchmarks prescribed in the self-sufficiency plan. If
2602 the funds appropriated for this purpose are insufficient to
2603 provide this financial incentive, the board of directors of
2604 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may reduce
2605 or suspend the bonuses in order not to exceed the appropriation
2606 or may direct the regional boards to use resources otherwise
2607 given to the regional workforce to pay such bonuses if such
2608 payments comply with applicable state and federal laws.
2609 (c) To be eligible for an incentive bonus under this
2610 subsection, an individual must:
2611 1. Be a former recipient of temporary cash assistance who
2612 last received such assistance on or after January 1, 2000, or be
2613 part of a family that is eligible for temporary assistance for
2614 needy families;
2615 2. Be employed full time, which for the purposes of this
2616 subsection means employment averaging at least 32 hours per
2617 week, until the United States Congress enacts legislation
2618 reauthorizing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block
2619 grant and, after the reauthorization, means employment complying
2620 with the employment requirements of the reauthorization; and
2621 3. Have an average family income for the 6 months preceding
2622 the date of application for an incentive bonus which is less
2623 than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
2624 (5) EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—CareerSource Florida,
2625 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., in conjunction with the Department
2626 of Children and Families, the Department of Economic
2627 Opportunity, and the regional workforce boards, shall conduct a
2628 comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of the program
2629 operated under this section. Evaluations and recommendations for
2630 the program shall be submitted by CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2631 Workforce Florida, Inc., as part of its annual report to the
2632 Legislature.
2633 (6) CONFLICTS.—If there is a conflict between the
2634 implementation procedures described in this section and federal
2635 requirements and regulations, federal requirements and
2636 regulations shall control.
2637 Section 48. Subsections (6), (8), (11), and (13) of section
2638 445.051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2639 445.051 Individual development accounts.—
2640 (6) CareerSource Florida, Inc. The Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2641 shall establish procedures for regional workforce boards to
2642 include in their annual program and financial plan an
2643 application to offer an individual development account program
2644 as part of their TANF allocation. These procedures must shall
2645 include, but need not be limited to, administrative costs
2646 permitted for the fiduciary organization and policies relative
2647 to identifying the match ratio and limits on the deposits for
2648 which the match will be provided in the application process.
2649 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall
2650 establish policies and procedures that are necessary to ensure
2651 that funds held in an individual development account are not
2652 withdrawn except for one or more of the qualified purposes
2653 described in this section.
2654 (8) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2655 shall establish procedures for controlling the withdrawal of
2656 funds for uses other than qualified purposes, including
2657 specifying conditions under which an account must be closed.
2658 (11) Financial institutions approved by CareerSource
2659 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may establish individual
2660 development accounts pursuant to this section. A financial
2661 institution shall certify the establishment of the individual
2662 development accounts in accordance with the forms,
2663 documentation, and requirements prescribed by CareerSource
2664 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.
2665 (13) Pursuant to policy direction by CareerSource Florida,
2666 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., the Department of Economic
2667 Opportunity shall adopt such rules as are necessary to implement
2668 this act.
2669 Section 49. Subsection (2), paragraph (e) of subsection
2670 (3), and subsection (4) of section 445.055, Florida Statutes,
2671 are amended to read:
2672 445.055 Employment advocacy and assistance program
2673 targeting military spouses and dependents.—
2674 (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2675 shall establish an employment advocacy and assistance program
2676 targeting military spouses and dependents. This program shall
2677 deliver employment assistance services through military family
2678 employment advocates colocated within selected one-stop career
2679 centers. Persons eligible for assistance through this program
2680 shall include spouses and dependents of active duty military
2681 personnel, Florida National Guard members, and military
2682 reservists.
2683 (3) Military family employment advocates are responsible
2684 for providing the following services and activities:
2685 (e) Other employment assistance services CareerSource
2686 Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., deems necessary.
2687 (4) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., may
2688 enter into agreements with public and private entities to
2689 provide services authorized under this section.
2690 Section 50. Section 446.41, Florida Statutes, is amended to
2691 read:
2692 446.41 Legislative intent with respect to rural workforce
2693 training and development; establishment of Rural Workforce
2694 Services Program.—In order that the state may achieve its full
2695 economic and social potential, consideration must be given to
2696 rural workforce training and development to enable those living
2697 in its rural areas citizens as well as urban citizens to develop
2698 their maximum capacities and participate productively in our
2699 society. It is, therefore, the policy of the state to make
2700 available those services needed to assist individuals and
2701 communities in rural areas to improve their quality of life. It
2702 is with a great sense of urgency that a Rural Workforce Services
2703 Program is established within the Department of Economic
2704 Opportunity, under the direction of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2705 Workforce Florida, Inc., to provide equal access to all manpower
2706 training programs available to rural as well as urban areas.
2707 Section 51. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
2708 446.50, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2709 446.50 Displaced homemakers; multiservice programs; report
2710 to the Legislature; Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund created.—
2711 (3) POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
2712 OPPORTUNITY.—
2713 (a) The Department of Economic Opportunity, under plans
2714 established by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
2715 Inc., shall establish, or contract for the establishment of,
2716 programs for displaced homemakers which shall include:
2717 1. Job counseling, by professionals and peers, specifically
2718 designed for a person entering the job market after a number of
2719 years as a homemaker.
2720 2. Job training and placement services, including:
2721 a. Training programs for available jobs in the public and
2722 private sectors, taking into account the skills and job
2723 experiences of a homemaker and developed by working with public
2724 and private employers.
2725 b. Assistance in locating available employment for
2726 displaced homemakers, some of whom could be employed in existing
2727 job training and placement programs.
2728 c. Utilization of the services of the state employment
2729 service in locating employment opportunities.
2730 3. Financial management services providing information and
2731 assistance with respect to insurance, including, but not limited
2732 to, life, health, home, and automobile insurance, and taxes,
2733 estate and probate problems, mortgages, loans, and other related
2734 financial matters.
2735 4. Educational services, including high school equivalency
2736 degree and such other courses that as the department determines
2737 would be of interest and benefit to displaced homemakers.
2738 5. Outreach and information services with respect to
2739 federal and state employment, education, health, and
2740 reemployment assistance programs that the department determines
2741 would be of interest and benefit to displaced homemakers.
2742 Section 52. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
2743 1003.491, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2744 1003.491 Florida Career and Professional Education Act.—The
2745 Florida Career and Professional Education Act is created to
2746 provide a statewide planning partnership between the business
2747 and education communities in order to attract, expand, and
2748 retain targeted, high-value industry and to sustain a strong,
2749 knowledge-based economy.
2750 (4) The State Board of Education shall establish a process
2751 for the continual and uninterrupted review of newly proposed
2752 core secondary courses and existing courses requested to be
2753 considered as core courses to ensure that sufficient rigor and
2754 relevance is provided for workforce skills and postsecondary
2755 education and aligned to state curriculum standards.
2756 (a) The review of newly proposed core secondary courses
2757 shall be the responsibility of a curriculum review committee
2758 whose membership is approved by CareerSource Florida, Inc. The
2759 membership of the committee Workforce Florida, Inc., and shall
2760 include:
2761 1. Three certified high school counselors recommended by
2762 the Florida Association of Student Services Administrators.
2763 2. Three assistant superintendents for curriculum and
2764 instruction, recommended by the Florida Association of District
2765 School Superintendents, and who serve in districts that operate
2766 successful career and professional academies pursuant to s.
2767 1003.492 or a successful series of courses that lead to industry
2768 certification. Committee members in this category shall employ
2769 the expertise of appropriate subject area specialists in the
2770 review of proposed courses.
2771 3. Three workforce representatives recommended by the
2772 Department of Economic Opportunity.
2773 4. Three admissions directors of postsecondary institutions
2774 accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,
2775 representing both public and private institutions.
2776 5. The Commissioner of Education, or his or her designee,
2777 who is responsible for K-12 curriculum and instruction and. The
2778 commissioner shall employ the expertise of appropriate subject
2779 area specialists in the review of proposed courses.
2780 Section 53. Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section
2781 1003.492, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2782 1003.492 Industry-certified career education programs.—
2783 (3) The State Board of Education shall use the expertise of
2784 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and the
2785 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop and
2786 adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 for
2787 implementing an industry certification process.
2788 (a) For nonfarm occupations, industry certification must
2789 shall be based upon the highest available national standards for
2790 specific industry certification to ensure student skill
2791 proficiency and to address emerging labor market and industry
2792 trends. A regional workforce board or a school principal may
2793 apply to CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., to
2794 request additions to the approved list of industry
2795 certifications based on high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand
2796 job requirements in the regional economy.
2797 (b) For farm occupations submitted pursuant to s. 570.07,
2798 industry certification must shall demonstrate student skill
2799 proficiency and be based upon the best available data to address
2800 critical local or statewide economic needs.
2801 (4) The list of industry certifications approved by
2802 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., the
2803 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the
2804 Department of Education shall be published and updated annually
2805 by a date certain, to be included in the adopted rule.
2806 (5) The Department of Education shall collect student
2807 achievement and performance data in industry-certified career
2808 education programs and career-themed courses and shall work with
2809 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., and the
2810 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the analysis
2811 of collected data. The data collection and analyses shall
2812 examine the performance of participating students over time.
2813 Performance factors must shall include, but need not be limited
2814 to, graduation rates, retention rates, Florida Bright Futures
2815 Scholarship awards, additional educational attainment,
2816 employment records, earnings, industry certification, return on
2817 investment, and employer satisfaction. The results of this study
2818 shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and the
2819 Speaker of the House of Representatives annually by December 31.
2820 Section 54. Subsection (6) of section 1003.493, Florida
2821 Statutes, is amended to read:
2822 1003.493 Career and professional academies and career
2823 themed courses.—
2824 (6) CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
2825 shall serve in an advisory role and offer technical assistance
2826 in the development and deployment of newly established career
2827 and professional academies and career-themed courses.
2828 Section 55. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
2829 1003.51, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2830 1003.51 Other public educational services.—
2831 (2) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
2832 articulating expectations for effective education programs for
2833 students in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, including,
2834 but not limited to, education programs in juvenile justice
2835 prevention, day treatment, residential, and detention programs.
2836 The rule shall establish policies and standards for education
2837 programs for students in Department of Juvenile Justice programs
2838 and shall include the following:
2839 (b) The responsibilities of the Department of Education,
2840 the Department of Juvenile Justice, CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2841 Workforce Florida, Inc., district school boards, and providers
2842 of education services to students in Department of Juvenile
2843 Justice programs.
2844 Section 56. Subsection (23) of section 1003.52, Florida
2845 Statutes, is amended to read:
2846 1003.52 Educational services in Department of Juvenile
2847 Justice programs.—
2848 (23) The Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department
2849 of Education, in consultation with CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2850 Workforce Florida, Inc., the statewide Workforce Development
2851 Youth Council, district school boards, Florida College System
2852 institutions, providers, and others, shall jointly develop a
2853 multiagency plan for CAPE which describes the funding,
2854 curriculum, transfer of credits, goals, and outcome measures for
2855 career education programming in juvenile commitment facilities,
2856 pursuant to s. 985.622. The plan must be reviewed annually.
2857 Section 57. Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section
2858 1004.015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2859 1004.015 Higher Education Coordinating Council.—
2860 (2) Members of the council shall include:
2861 (g) The president of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce
2862 Florida, Inc., or his or her designee.
2863 Section 58. Subsection (8) of section 1011.80, Florida
2864 Statutes, is amended to read:
2865 1011.80 Funds for operation of workforce education
2866 programs.—
2867 (8) The State Board of Education and CareerSource Florida,
2868 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall provide the Legislature with
2869 recommended formulas, criteria, timeframes, and mechanisms for
2870 distributing performance funds. The commissioner shall
2871 consolidate the recommendations and develop a consensus proposal
2872 for funding. The Legislature shall adopt a formula and
2873 distribute the performance funds to the State Board of Education
2874 for Florida College System institutions and school districts
2875 through the General Appropriations Act. These recommendations
2876 shall be based on formulas that would discourage low-performing
2877 or low-demand programs and encourage through performance-funding
2878 awards:
2879 (a) Programs that prepare people to enter high-wage
2880 occupations identified by the Workforce Estimating Conference
2881 created by s. 216.136 and other programs as approved by
2882 CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc. At a minimum,
2883 performance incentives shall be calculated for adults who reach
2884 completion points or complete programs that lead to specified
2885 high-wage employment and to their placement in that employment.
2886 (b) Programs that successfully prepare adults who are
2887 eligible for public assistance, economically disadvantaged,
2888 disabled, not proficient in English, or dislocated workers for
2889 high-wage occupations. At a minimum, performance incentives
2890 shall be calculated at an enhanced value for the completion of
2891 adults identified in this paragraph and job placement of such
2892 adults upon completion. In addition, adjustments may be made in
2893 payments for job placements for areas of high unemployment.
2894 (c) Programs that are specifically designed to be
2895 consistent with the workforce needs of private enterprise and
2896 regional economic development strategies, as defined in
2897 guidelines set by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida,
2898 Inc. CareerSource Florida, Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall
2899 develop guidelines to identify such needs and strategies based
2900 on localized research of private employers and economic
2901 development practitioners.
2902 (d) Programs identified by CareerSource Florida, Inc.
2903 Workforce Florida, Inc., as increasing the effectiveness and
2904 cost efficiency of education.
2905 Section 59. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 1011.801,
2906 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2907 1011.801 Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive
2908 Grant Program.—The Legislature recognizes that the need for
2909 school districts and Florida College System institutions to be
2910 able to respond to emerging local or statewide economic
2911 development needs is critical to the workforce development
2912 system. The Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant
2913 Program is created to provide grants to school districts and
2914 Florida College System institutions on a competitive basis to
2915 fund some or all of the costs associated with the creation or
2916 expansion of workforce development programs that serve specific
2917 employment workforce needs.
2918 (2) The State Board of Education shall accept applications
2919 from school districts or Florida College System institutions for
2920 workforce development capitalization incentive grants.
2921 Applications from school districts or Florida College System
2922 institutions shall contain projected enrollments and projected
2923 costs for the new or expanded workforce development program. The
2924 State Board of Education, in consultation with CareerSource
2925 Florida, Inc. the Workforce Florida, Inc., shall review and rank
2926 each application for a grant according to subsection (3) and
2927 shall submit to the Legislature a list in priority order of
2928 applications recommended for a grant award.
2929 (3) The State Board of Education shall give highest
2930 priority to programs that train people to enter high-skill,
2931 high-wage occupations identified by the Workforce Estimating
2932 Conference and other programs approved by CareerSource Florida,
2933 Inc. Workforce Florida, Inc.; programs that train people to
2934 enter occupations under the welfare transition program; or
2935 programs that train for the workforce adults who are eligible
2936 for public assistance, economically disadvantaged, disabled, not
2937 proficient in English, or dislocated workers. The State Board of
2938 Education shall consider the statewide geographic dispersion of
2939 grant funds in ranking the applications and shall give priority
2940 to applications from education agencies that are making maximum
2941 use of their workforce development funding by offering high
2942 performing, high-demand programs.
2943 Section 60. (1) There is created a task force on
2944 preparation for the state’s implementation of the federal
2945 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. No. 113-128.
2946 The task force is assigned to CareerSource Florida, Inc., for
2947 administrative purposes only.
2948 (2) The task force shall convene no later than June 1,
2949 2015, and shall be composed of the following 20 members:
2950 (a) The president of CareerSource Florida, Inc., who shall
2951 serve as chair of the task force.
2952 (b) The executive director of the Department of Economic
2953 Opportunity or his or her designee.
2954 (c) The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee.
2955 (d) The Chancellor of the State University System or his or
2956 her designee.
2957 (e) The Chancellor of the Florida College System or his or
2958 her designee.
2959 (f) The Chancellor of the Division of Career and Adult
2960 Education of the Department of Education or her designee.
2961 (g) The director of the Division of Vocational
2962 Rehabilitation of the Department of Education or his or her
2963 designee.
2964 (h) The director of the Division of Blind Services of the
2965 Department of Education or his or her designee.
2966 (i) The director of the Agency for Persons with
2967 Disabilities or his or her designee.
2968 (j) The Secretary of Elderly Affairs or his or her
2969 designee.
2970 (k) The Secretary of Children and Families or his or her
2971 designee.
2972 (l) The Secretary of Juvenile Justice or his or her
2973 designee.
2974 (m) The Secretary of Corrections or his or her designee.
2975 (n) The president of Enterprise Florida, Inc., or his or
2976 her designee.
2977 (o) The president of the Florida Workforce Development
2978 Association, Inc., and two of his or her designees from regional
2979 workforce boards, one of whom must be a representative of a
2980 rural regional workforce board.
2981 (p) The statewide director of the Florida Small Business
2982 Development Center network or his or her designee.
2983 (q) The president of the Florida Association of
2984 Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, Inc., or his or her
2985 designee.
2986 (r) The president of the Independent Colleges and
2987 Universities of Florida, Inc., or his or her designee.
2988 (2)(a) CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall provide
2989 administrative and staff support services to the task force
2990 which relate to its functions, including creating workgroups or
2991 subcommittees of the task force.
2992 (b) Members of the task force shall serve without
2993 compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and
2994 travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061, Florida Statutes.
2995 Per diem and travel expenses incurred by a member of the task
2996 force shall be paid from funds budgeted to the state agency or
2997 entity that the member represents.
2998 (3)(a) The task force shall develop recommendations for the
2999 state’s implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and
3000 Opportunity Act, which recommendations shall be presented to and
3001 approved by the board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
3002 The recommendations shall include, but are not limited to:
3003 1. A review of current workforce service delivery and
3004 recommendations for inclusiveness of programs.
3005 2. A regional planning design.
3006 3. A one-stop service delivery design.
3007 4. The integration of economic development, workforce
3008 development, and the state’s education system.
3009 5. The development of sector strategies and career
3010 pathways.
3011 (b) The task force shall submit a report containing the
3012 approved recommendations to the Governor, the President of the
3013 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
3014 December 1, 2015.
3015 (4) CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall incorporate the task
3016 force’s approved recommendations into the state plan required
3017 under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,
3018 which, upon approval of the state plan by the board of directors
3019 of CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall be submitted to the United
3020 States Department of Labor, with a copy of the state plan
3021 provided to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
3022 Speaker of the House of Representatives.
3023 (5) The task force is abolished June 30, 2016, or at an
3024 earlier date as provided by the task force.
3025 Section 61. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.