MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Finance
By: Senator(s) Tollison
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A MISSISSIPPI SKILL STANDARDS BOARD AS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD; TO PRESCRIBE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD TO REVIEW STANDARDS TO GUIDE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF WORKFORCE SKILLS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Mississippi Skill Standards Board (board) is created as an advisory board to the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board established in Section 37-153-7 on the development of a statewide system of industry-defined and industry-recognized skill standards and credentials for all major skilled occupations that:
(a) Provide strong employment and earnings opportunities in this state; and
(b) Require less than a baccalaureate degree.
(2) The board shall be composed of eleven (11) members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor. The board consists of the following members:
(a) Seven (7) members representing business, two (2) of whom must be from business entities that employ fewer than fifty (50) employees;
(b) Two (2) members representing labor;
(c) One (1) member representing secondary education; and
(d) One (1) member representing postsecondary education.
(3) The Governor shall appoint the presiding office of the board from the members representing business.
(4) The skill standards board shall:
(a) Validate and recognize nationally established skill standards to guide curriculum development, training, assessment and certification of workforce skills;
(b) Convene industry groups to develop skill standards and certification procedures for industries and occupations in which standards have not been established or adopted and recognize the skill standards and certification procedures;
(c) Review the standards developed by other states and foreign countries and enter into agreements for mutual recognition of standards and credentials to enhance portability of skills; and
(d) Promote the use of standards and credentials among employers.
(5) The board shall meet at the call of the presiding officer as often as necessary to accomplish its work.
(6) A member of the board is not entitled to compensation for services on the board but is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in performing board duties, subject to any applicable limitation in Section 25-3-41.
(7) The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges shall provide staff support for the board as necessary.
(8) The board shall report periodically to the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board and shall provide annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.