§17. Integration of workforce development programs

            A. All job-training, employment, vocational rehabilitation services, independent living and blind services programs, and employment-related educational programs and functions, along with any federal, state, and local revenues that fund them, shall be integrated into the workforce development delivery system, as determined by the secretary, under the authority of the department through its office of workforce development, and all departments and agencies in which these programs are funded or operated shall cooperate with the department to promptly effect this integration.

            B. If monies are appropriated by the legislature to conduct a workforce economic assessment, the secretary may contract with any state agency, higher education provider, or any private provider, subject to state procurement rules and regulations, to conduct such workforce economic assessment in order to maximize the delivery of workforce training and services throughout the state.

            C. The secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable under law, develop a uniform, statewide customer application and enrollment process to determine an applicant's eligibility for workforce training and other services provided by the department.

            D. The department, in consultation with the Workforce Investment Council or local workforce development boards, shall develop a comprehensive statewide workforce plan that aligns with the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, 29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq., or any superseding federal legislation. The plan shall include but is not limited to the following:

            (1) A projected analysis of the workforce needs of employers and customers.

            (2) Policy standards in programs and processes to ensure statewide program consistency among regional service areas.

            (3) State outcome-based standards for measuring program performance to evaluate quality standards of performance, program efficacy, program viability, and prompt service to all customers.

            (4) State oversight systems to review local workforce development board compliance with state policies.

            (5) Elements of regional workforce services plans that relate to statewide initiatives and programs.

            (6) Strategies to ensure program responsiveness, universal access, and unified case management.

            (7) Strategies to provide assistance to employees and employers facing employment dislocation.

            Acts 2008, No. 743, §2, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 939, §2, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2025, No. 478, §7, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.