MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Veterans and Military Affairs

By: Senator(s) Furniss

AN ACT TO PROVIDE PRIORITY IN EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES VETERANS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD TO DEVELOP MEASURES OF SERVICE FOR VETERANS THAT WILL SERVE AS INDICTORS OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD TO ANNUALLY SUBMIT A REPORT DETAILING COVERED PROVIDERS' COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Purpose. The Legislature finds and declares that veterans in Mississippi represent a strong, productive part of the workforce of this state and are disadvantaged in their pursuit of civilian employment through their delayed entry into the civilian labor market and that it is only proper and in the public interest and public welfare, that such veterans receive a priority in service in the provision of employment and training opportunities by and through the one-stop delivery system of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, United States Public Law 105-220.

(2) Veterans defined. For the purpose of this act, the term "veteran" shall have the same definition as that provided by 38 USCS Section 4211(4).

(3) Priority defined. For the purposes of this act, "priority for veterans" means that eligible veterans who register or otherwise apply for services provided by or through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Unites States Public Law 105-220, will be extended the opportunity to participate or otherwise receive the services of the covered providers before the providers extend the opportunity and services to other registered applicants.

(4) Services defined. For the purposes of this act, "services" means employment, training and other services provided by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, United States Public Law 105-220, by service providers. Services include, but not limited to, assessment, registration, case management, referral to supportive services, which are directed to help customers.

(5) Service providers. For purposes of this section, "service providers" means the partners established by the State and Local Workforce Investment Boards who actually provide the services to program participants through the one-stop system mandated by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, United States Public Law 105-220.

(6) Priority employment directed. The State Workforce Investment Board, local workforce investment boards and all service providers shall establish procedures to provide veterans with priority of services set forth in the provision of the programs and services which are within their jurisdiction and delivered through the one-stop system mandated by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, United States Public Law 105-220.

(7) Implementation and performance measures. The State Workforce Investment Board established in compliance with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, United States Public Law 105-220, or its designee, shall:

(a) Develop measures of service for veterans that will serve as indicators of compliance with the provisions of this act by all service providers.

(b) Annually publish and submit to the Chairman of the Senate Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Military Affairs Committee, beginning not later than July 1, 2001, a report detailing covered providers' compliance with the provisions of this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.