BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1378
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1378 (V. Manuel Perez)
As Amended January 4, 2010
Majority vote
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 6-0 VETERANS 8-0
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|Ayes:|V. Manuel Perez, Logue, |Ayes:|Salas, Cook, DeVore, |
| |Beall, | |Gilmore, Huber, Lieu, V. |
| |Bill Berryhill, Block, | |Manuel Perez, Yamada |
| |Huber, Salas | | |
| | | | |
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APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|De Leon, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Bradford, Charles |
| |Calderon, Coto, Davis, |
| |Fuentes, Hall, Harkey, |
| |Miller, Nielsen, John A. |
| |Perez, Skinner, Solorio, |
| |Audra Strickland, |
| |Torlakson |
| | |
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SUMMARY : Implements the Veterans Workforce Accountability Act (Act)
under the administration of the California Workforce Investment Board
(CWIB) for the purposes of providing a method for the comprehensive
outcome-oriented evaluation on the effectiveness of the state's
expenditures for veteran workforce development programs.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the CWIB to conduct an annual assessment evaluating the
effectiveness of federally funded and state administered programs
that are designed to assist veterans transition into civilian work,
including, but not limited to, the $18 million annual grant that the
state receives from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) for veteran
workforce training.
2)Requires the CWIB to develop clear, comprehensive and transparent
objectives and appropriate criteria that can be used to undertake
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the required assessment of the effectiveness of the existing
workforce training and job referral programs for California
veterans.
3)Requires the CWIB, in consultation with the Employment Training
Panel (ETP), the Department of Veterans' Affairs (CDVA) and
Employment Development Department (EDD), to outline, implement and
administer the provisions of the Act.
4)Requires that the assessment contain ways to evaluate the extent to
which:
a) Moneys are being spent for outreach, assessment of job skills,
and interests and referral of veterans to specific training
opportunities and prospective jobs;
b) Information is provided to veterans regarding ways to finance
training opportunities that require fees or the payment of
tuition;
c) Funds are being used to assess job skills acquired during
military service that could be used or adapted for civilian jobs
by the veteran; and,
d) Funds are being used to provide workforce training and job
referral programs for eligible veterans at one-stop career
centers.
5)Requires an annual report to the Governor and the appropriate policy
and budget committees in the Legislature on the effectiveness of the
job skills training and employment opportunities being provided to
transitioning veterans.
6)Provides that the requirements of this bill will only be implemented
to the extent that federal funds are made available.
EXISTING LAW :
1)The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 offers a comprehensive
range of workforce development moneys to finance activities through
statewide and local organizations. Eligible clients include, but
are not limited to, people looking for jobs, laid off workers,
youth, or persons just entering the job market, veterans and persons
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with disabilities.
2)Establishes the CWIB for the purpose of assisting the state in
meeting the requirements of the federal Workforce Investment Act of
1998 (WIA), as well as assisting the Governor in the development,
oversight, and continuous improvement of California's workforce
investment system.
3)Requires each local workforce investment board to establish at least
one full service one-stop career center in the local workforce
investment area. One-stop career centers are required to include a
specified group of job search related entities and provide
jobseekers with integrated employment, education, training, and job
search services. Employers can also be provided with access to
career and labor market information, job placement assistance, and
other such services as the businesses in the community may require.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Appropriations Committee EDD is
already statutorily required to report annually on veteran's programs.
It is likely that EDD would provide that existing report to the CWIB,
who would then submit it to the Legislature. Therefore there would be
no additional costs associated with this legislation.
COMMENTS : Purpose : According to the author, over the years, our
nation has called on our service men and women in the Armed Forces to
protect and serve Americans at home and abroad. Upon their honorable
completion of service and their return home, veterans face tremendous
challenges transitioning back into civilian life. In fact, many
desperately struggle to find jobs, housing, health services, and other
needed social services. In some cases, recovery from physical and
psychological injuries makes the transition into civilian life even
more challenging. Without adequate employment opportunities or
workforce training, American veterans have few options for their
futures outside of reenlistment for military service or unemployment
and potential homelessness.
Currently, California receives $18 million dollars annually from the
USDOL to pay for approximately 180 workforce training staff. Assigned
to positions within EDD, these federally funded staff are exclusively
dedicated to serving the needs of veterans. The purpose of AB 1378 is
to ensure that money designated to assist veterans is best utilized
and that veterans have the opportunity to develop the competitive
workforce skills required to obtain good paying jobs.
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Analysis Prepared by : Mercedes Flores / Toni Symonds / J., E.D. &
E. / (916) 319-2090 FN:
0003587