HOUSE BILL 318

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Idalia Lechuga-Tena

AN ACT

RELATING TO SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS; ESTABLISHING A JOINT ONE-YEAR PROGRAM OF THE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT, THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A CERTAIN MUNICIPALITY TO PROVIDE JOB-READINESS SERVICES TO HOMELESS CLIENTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] HOMELESS JOB-READINESS SERVICES PROGRAM.--

          A. The "homeless job-readiness services program" is created as a joint one-year program of the workforce solutions department, the veterans' services department and the largest municipality in a class A county with a population of at least six hundred thousand to provide homeless clients, especially those who are veterans, in the municipality with the following services:

                (1) assistance with job searches, resumes and job applications and the honing of job interview skills;

                (2) mentoring in business etiquette; standard job requirements such as consistent attendance and being on time and ready to work; and workplace collegiality;

                (3) access to personal hygiene facilities, clothing and other necessities to ensure that the client is clean and dressed appropriately for job interviews; and

                (4) other needed services to help homeless clients prepare and interview for a job.

          B. The program shall seek:

                (1) gifts, grants and donations, including money and in-kind goods and services, from public and private sources for the program, including the loan or gift of a bus or other motor vehicle that is or can be outfitted with showers, dressing areas, hair and makeup stations and closet areas for donated business attire; and

                (2) volunteers such as barbers and cosmetologists and other people who can assist with mentoring and grooming skills such as makeup application and wardrobe selection. If funds are available, volunteers may receive a stipend for their services.

          C. The program shall collect data on:

                (1) clients served during the year, including the number of homeless veterans;

                (2) services provided to each client;

                (3) the number of job interviews arranged and the number of job interviews each client went to;

                (4) the jobs clients were offered and the salary provided for the positions;

                (5) the number and skills of volunteers and the number of volunteer hours; and

                (6) any other data the workforce solutions department, the veterans' services department and the municipality deem to be beneficial in determining the efficacy of the program and the estimated cost of providing the program in other areas of the state.

          D. The workforce solutions department shall be the lead agency for the program but may delegate operational functions to the veterans' services department or the municipality through a joint powers agreement.

          E. The workforce solutions department, the veterans' services department and the municipality shall report to the appropriate legislative interim committees on the efficacy of the program; shall provide a report, with their findings and recommendations, to the governor and the legislature by January 1, 2017; and shall provide a final report at the end of fiscal year 2017.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the workforce solutions department for expenditure in fiscal year 2017 for the homeless job-readiness services program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2017 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2016.

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