MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Martinson, Barnett (116th), Bozeman, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Denny, Ellzey, Evans, Holden, Janus, Johnson, Manning, Montgomery, Reeves, Roberson, Robertson, Rotenberry, Simpson, Smith (39th), Stevens, Stribling, Thornton, Wallace, Warren, Weathersby

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE A "MISSISSIPPI DIRECTORY AND GUIDE TO CAREER AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES" TO PROVIDE A GUIDE TO ALL STATE WORK FORCE TRAINING SERVICES, APPRENTICESHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS INFORMATION DIRECTORY VIA THE INTERNET AND AS A PRINTED GUIDE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Subject to the availability of funds, the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development shall develop and publish a "Mississippi Directory and Guide to Career and Educational Services" to provide a comprehensive guide regarding the state's system of work force related training services, student apprenticeships, student scholarships, labor needs and career opportunities. This directory shall be made available as an interactive website on the internet and in an abbreviated printed form. The Mississippi Directory and Guide to Career and Educational Services shall include, but not be limited to, the following sections:

(a) Section One: "Guide to Work force Training Services." This section shall include descriptions, physical locations, phone and facsimile numbers, e-mail addresses, a contact person and guidelines concerning all available work force related training services and programs, including training programs administered or funded by the State Department of Education, the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Human Services, the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the Planning and Development Districts and other programs administered through public or private entities.

(b) Section Two: "Guide to Apprenticeships." This section shall include available information on state and federal laws concerning apprenticeships, including student work-study, job shadowing and any other paid or nonpaid apprenticeships. This section also shall include a summary of employment laws that mandate a minimum age of eighteen (18) and applicable exemptions to these laws, according to O.S.H.A. guidelines, child labor laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

(c) Section Three: "Career Opportunities in Mississippi." This section shall include a multi-year analysis of labor trends in Mississippi, showing career opportunities in major career areas, with information such as wage range, growth and replacement rates and licensure and educational and training levels required.

(d) Section Four: "Scholarships and Funding." This section shall include a compilation of available educational scholarships and funding support for vocational programs, community colleges, institutions of higher learning, apprenticeships and all adult work force related training programs.

(2) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall develop a marketing plan to promote awareness of the availability of the directory. The target audiences shall include all public school students, private school students, post-secondary school students, parents of these students, business and industry entities, agencies involved in work force placement and training, public libraries, chambers of commerce and economic development agencies. The department may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with any public or private agency for the development, marketing and distribution of the Mississippi Directory and Guide to Career and Educational Services.

(3) The Department of Economic and Community Development may apply for public or private funding for the development, marketing and distribution of this directory and may expend any funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature.

SECTION 2. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the "Mississippi Career and Educational Directory Fund." Any monies collected or appropriated for the design, development and maintenance of the Mississippi Directory and Guide to Career and Educational Services shall be deposited into the fund and shall not lapse to the State General Fund at the end of each fiscal year.

(2) All disbursements from the fund shall be made pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature.

(3) Expenditures from the fund may be paid by the State Treasurer, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer, and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.