HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

768

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

sUPPORTING EMPLOYMENT EMPOWERMENT HAWAII WORK PROGRAM

     §    -1  Definitions.  As used in this chapter:

     "Department" means the department of human services.

     "Employment related expenses" includes but is not limited to unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.

     "Program" means the supporting employment empowerment Hawaii work program.

     §    -2  Authorization; program requirements.  (a)  The department is authorized to enact and operate a program focused on transitioning welfare recipients to the workforce, and shall be referred to as the supporting employment empowerment Hawaii work program.

     (b)  The program authorized under this chapter shall incorporate the following features:

(1)  The department shall reimburse employers in an amount equal to the current minimum wage plus 50 cents for each additional full $1 per hour paid over the minimum wage for up to forty hours per week;

(2)  The department shall reimburse employers an additional fourteen per cent of subsidized wages to cover training and employment related expenses;

(3)  The department may reimburse an employer up to $200 per month, subject to negotiation with the employer, when the employer assists an employee with transportation to and from work;

(4)  The department shall prescreen job applicants for potential employers based on the job needs, specific skills, and qualifications provided by the employer and an application completed by the job applicant;

(5)  The department shall accept both part-time, which shall be a position of at least twenty-four hours a week, but not more than thirty hours a week,  and full-time job openings, which shall be classified as a position of at least thirty hours a week, from potential employers;

(6)  The department shall impose no limitation on the number of job applicants that an employer may select from the program;

(7)  The employer shall provide selected job applicants the prevailing industry wage and the same benefits it offers its employees in similar positions; and

(8)  The department shall contract with a private employment service agency to market the program, take and fill job orders from companies, and provide ongoing support to employers and employees.

     (c)  The duration of the wage reimbursement authorized under subsection (b) shall be no less than six months and no more than twelve months.

     §    -3  Rulemaking.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this chapter."

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.



 

Report Title:

Supporting Employment Empowerment Hawaii Work Program

 

Description:

Authorizes the establishment of the Supporting Employment Empowerment Hawaii Work Program to transition welfare recipients to the workforce.  Effective July 1, 2011.  (HB768 HD1)

 

 

 

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