§ 5039. | § 5040. | § 5041. | § 5042. | § 5043.
§ 5039. Declaration of policy.
The General Assembly recognizes that a successful economic development effort is critical to the long term viability of our State. It further recognizes that the majority of the economic development benefits and increases in jobs will come from the businesses that are currently in the State. It is therefore crucial that the State, through its economic development program, meets the needs of those businesses in an ever changing work place. One of the critical needs for business is a well-trained and well-educated work force. As the pool of younger workers shrinks, business must turn more to women, minorities and senior citizens to fill those jobs. This labor group brings great potential for productivity, but also special needs (such as child care, elder care, flexible work times and re-training). The General Assembly, therefore, intends through this subchapter to address this situation by establishing, in the Delaware Economic Development Office, a Human Investment and Partnership Program, whose responsibility will be to assist Delaware businesses to better utilize that work force talent. With the help of businesses who have successfully dealt with many of these issues and others in the community who have facilitated such activities, the Delaware Economic Development Office will provide that assistance to Delaware businesses. (68 Del. Laws, c. 446, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 458, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.)
§ 5040. Establishment of the Human Investment and Partnership Program.
There is hereby established a Human Investment and Partnership Program within the Delaware Economic Development Office whose purpose is to provide assistance to Delaware businesses in order for them to better utilize the talent pool of women, minorities and senior citizens. (68 Del. Laws, c. 446, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 458, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.)
§ 5041. Responsibilities and functions of the Human Investment and Partnership Program.
The Human Investment and Partnership Program shall have the following responsibilities and functions:
(1) Assist Delaware businesses in tapping the work force of women, minorities and senior citizens;
(2) Work with Delaware businesses and others in the community who have been successful in addressing the issues so crucial to that work force: child care, elder care, flexible work-time, re-training, etc.;
(3) Provide training and awareness programs for Delaware businesses on the issues and benefits of bringing women, minorities and senior citizens into the workplace; and
(4) Assist Delaware businesses in overcoming obstacles to fully utilizing the work force of women, minorities and senior citizens. (68 Del. Laws, c. 446, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.)
§ 5042. Human Investment and Partnership Council.
(a) There is established a Human Investment and Partnership Council.
(b) The Council shall be composed of at least 13 members (not including the chairperson) who shall be appointed by the Governor. Nine of the members shall be from the community and shall include representatives from:
(1) Large and small businesses that have had success with programs that are essential for women, minorities and senior citizens to be part of the work force, such as child care, elder care, flexible work times and re-training;
(2) The legal community who have had experience with work-place issues; and
(3) The higher education community who have had experience with economic development activities in the State.
There shall also be a representative from the Department of Labor, the Division of Social Services, the State Jobs Training Coordinating Council, and the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities appointed by the Governor to serve on this Council.
(c) The duties of the Council shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Assist the Delaware Economic Development Office and Department of Labor in advising other Delaware businesses in the implementation of programs to facilitate the entry of women, minorities and senior citizens into the work place.
(2) Assist the Delaware Economic Development Office and Department of Labor in offering training and awareness programs for Delaware businesses.
(d) The terms of the community members shall be staggered. Of the initial appointments, 3 appointees shall serve for a term of 1 year, 3 appointees shall serve for a term of 2 years, and 3 appointees shall serve for a term of 3 years. Subsequent appointees or re-appointees shall serve for a term of 3 years, except that any appointment made to replace an appointee for reasons other than expiration of term shall only be appointed to finish the remainder of the replaced appointee's term. No person shall serve for more than 2 consecutive terms. Persons serving 2 consecutive terms are eligible for re-appointment after a 1-year absence.
(e) The chairperson of the Council shall be from the Delaware Economic Development Office and be appointed by the Director of the Office.
(f) The Council may invite other representatives from the community to serve in an advisory role. (68 Del. Laws, c. 446, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 345, § 5; 69 Del. Laws, c. 458, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.)
§ 5043. Reporting to the Governor and the General Assembly.
The Delaware Economic Development Office and Department of Labor shall issue an annual report on progress made by the 30th of December of each calendar year. The Office will report on its progress, the barriers that exist to women, minorities and senior citizens entering the work force, and what resources, both public and private, are necessary to facilitate the expansion of Delaware's work force. (68 Del. Laws, c. 446, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 458, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.)
NOTICE: The Delaware Code appearing on this site was prepared by the Division of Research of Legislative Council of the General Assembly with the assistance of the Government Information Center, under the supervision of the Delaware Code Revisors and the editorial staff of LexisNexis, includes all acts up to and including 76 Del. Laws, c. 288, effective July 1, 2008.
DISCLAIMER: Please Note: With respect to the Delaware Code documents available from this site or server, neither the State of Delaware nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately-owned rights. This information is provided for informational purposes only. Please seek legal counsel for help on interpretation of individual statutes.