Bill > H3772

This bill establishes a State Workforce Development Board within the department of labor and workforce development, but not under its direct control, to align the commonwealth's workforce development efforts with federal requirements and maintain funding for critical programs. The board will comprise 33 members, including the governor or a designee, a state senator and representative, 17 members appointed by the governor representing business and industry with hiring authority and experience in in-demand sectors, 7 representatives of the workforce including labor organizations and community-based organizations serving individuals facing employment barriers or youth, and several state secretaries or their designees, along with two chief elected officials from local workforce development areas. Members will serve two-year terms without compensation, and the governor will appoint a chair from the business representatives. The board is tasked with adopting by-laws, fulfilling responsibilities under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, providing assessments and recommendations on the public workforce development system's effectiveness, promoting innovative models, and maximizing the impact of local workforce boards, with administrative support provided by the department of career services.