2023 -- S 0825

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LC002618

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- REAL JOBS RHODE ISLAND ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Pearson, Gallo, DiPalma, LaMountain, and Tikoian

     Date Introduced: March 23, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 28 of the General Laws entitled "LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 60

REAL JOBS RHODE ISLAND ACT

     28-60-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Real Jobs Rhode Island Act."

     28-60-2. Legislative purpose.

     The purpose of the real jobs Rhode Island act is to create an industry-led system to advance

the skills of the state's workforce, grow the state's economy and increase sustainable employment

for middle class working families.

     28-60-3. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings,

unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (1) "Credential" means any recognized:

     (i) Educational diploma;

     (ii) Certificate or degree;

     (iii) Occupational license; or

     (iv) Apprenticeship certificate, including, but not limited to:

     (A) Industry-recognized certification; or

     (B) Award for skills attainment and completion, issued by an approved training provider

in the state or third-party credential provider.

     (2) "Department" means the department of labor and training.

     (3) "High-demand occupations" means occupations that have a significant presence within

target industries, that are in demand by employers, and that pay or lead to payment of a family

sustaining wage.

     (4) "Identifiable skill" means the attainment of a proficiency in a specific work-related

skill, that is likely to lead to future job advancement and improvement in an individual's hiring

potential.

     (5) "Job readiness training" means:

     (i) Training for the purpose of assisting and supporting jobseekers in overcoming

individual barriers to employment and developing the skills necessary to maintain employment and

to qualify for skills training opportunities.

     (ii) Job readiness training includes:

     (A) Occupational skills development;

     (B) GED preparation;

     (C) Literacy advancement;

     (D) Financial stability services, including financial coaching;

     (E) Credit counseling;

     (F) Transportation; and

     (G) Childcare.

     (6) "Local board" means a local workforce investment board.

     (7) "Real jobs Rhode Island program" means the program created under this chapter.

     (8) "Strategic industry partnership" means collaboration that brings together a regional

group of employers, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, community colleges, local boards,

local governments, or other relevant partners to:

     (i) Identify common workforce needs for high-demand occupations, within a target

industry; and

     (ii) Develop and implement workforce solutions to meet the common workforce needs and

shortages, based on regional needs.

     (9) "Target industry" means a group of employers closely linked by a common product or

service, workforce skills, similar technologies, supply chains, or other economic ties.

     28-60-4. Program administration.

     The department, in consultation with the governor's workforce board, as established by §

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42-102-1, shall administer the real jobs Rhode Island program.

     28-60-5. Administrative grants.

     (a) The department shall provide grants, on a competitive basis, for:

     (1) An approved partnership for development of a plan consistent with the purpose of the

real jobs Rhode Island program;

     (2) Workforce training programs and other qualified entities that provide industry valued

skills training to individuals, resulting in an industry-recognized credential or identifiable skill,

consistent with an approved industry partnership plan; and

     (3) Job readiness training and skills training, resulting in an industry-recognized credential

or identifiable skill.

     (b) Applications for strategic industry partnership grants shall include:

     (1) Evidence of skills shortages within the target industry over a sustained period of time;

     (2) A description of specific high demand occupations or sets of occupations, within the

target industry; and

     (3) The specifics of training programs that would result in individuals obtaining industry-

recognized credentials or identifiable skills, to facilitate their employment or advancement in the

targeted industry.

     (c) Grants may be awarded for skills training consistent with an approved partnership plan

to:

     (1) Targeted industries with identified positions and a demonstrated need for incumbent

worker training;

     (2) Industries with an identified workforce shortage, that will be seeking to hire individuals

to train to meet a specific skill need;

     (3) A partnership member that can provide supportive services to qualified individuals

receiving training; and

     (4) Educational providers, consistent with the goals of the plan.

     (d) The competitive grant process shall give priority to strategic industry partnerships, that

maximize the potential of the collaboration through direct financial or in-kind contributions by

members of the target industry.

     (e) The supportive services provided on behalf of an individual, by a partnership member

may be used to pay for:

     (1) Job readiness training; and

     (2) Approved transportation, childcare or other approved needs of an individual to allow

participation in job readiness and skills training opportunities.

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     28-60-6. Monitoring and evaluation.

     (a) The department shall monitor all grants awarded under this chapter, to ensure

compliance with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations.

     (b) The department may require all recipients of strategic industry partnership grants to:

     (1) Demonstrate an ability to collaborate successfully with grant partners; and

     (2) Include additional provisions in a grant proposal to ensure accountability.

     (c) The department may revoke grant funding from a strategic industry partnership,

workforce training program or a partnership member if goals consistent with a grant agreement

approved by the department are not met.

     28-60-7. Funding.

     Effective in fiscal year 2024, and in each year thereafter, the real jobs Rhode Island

program shall be funded with fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) provided from the general fund

upon appropriation by the general assembly.

     28-60-8. Annual report.

     (a) On or before December 31 of each year, the department shall report to the governor,

the senate president and the speaker of the house, on the real jobs Rhode Island program.

     (b) The report required under this section shall include:

     (1) A description of each strategic industry partnership receiving grant funding and the

status of the partnership;

     (2) The number of individuals participating in each component of the real jobs Rhode

Island program; and

     (3) The number of participants that have obtained an industry-recognized credential or

identifiable skill, a new employment position, a title promotion and a wage increase.

     28-60-9. Regulations.

     The department may promulgate such regulations necessary to implement the provisions

of this chapter, including, but not limited to, sections of the Rhode Island administrative code

relevant to grant-making such as 220-RICR-30-00-10.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- REAL JOBS RHODE ISLAND ACT

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     This act would establish a real jobs Rhode Island program, which would be an industry-

led system to advance the skills of the state's workforce to grow the state's economy and increase

sustainable employment for middle-class families. The program would be administered by the

department of labor and training, which would provide grants to promote job skills training and

industry partnership from a yearly fifteen million dollar ($15,000,000) appropriation by the general

assembly.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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