Chapter 259 Oregon Laws 2001

AN ACT

HB 3053

Relating to youth corps; amending ORS 418.653 and 418.658.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 418.658 is amended to read:

418.658. (1) The program director of the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps shall establish a separate program known as the Oregon Community Service Corps. In addition to the established purposes of the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, the purpose of the Oregon Community Service Corps is to promote community service activities throughout the state for a broad cross section of Oregon disadvantaged and at-risk youth through programs that also include appropriate educational and job training opportunities for participants.

(2) In addition to projects submitted under ORS 418.660 (1), projects of the Oregon Community Service Corps may include, but shall not be limited to:

(a) Child care services.

(b) Elderly and disabled care services.

(d) Recycling and other waste reduction services.

(3) The Oregon Community Service Corps shall offer employment and educational opportunities of at least three but not more than 12 months’ duration for selected participants.

(4) Under rules adopted by the program director, participants who successfully complete any 12-month program under this section shall be eligible for $1,500 in tuition vouchers that can be used at any career school or post-secondary educational institution that is qualified to receive assistance through the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.

(5) All Oregonians who are at least [16] 13 years of age and under 25 years of age are eligible to participate in the program. To ensure that Oregon Community Service Corps participants represent a broad cross section of Oregonians, special emphasis shall be given to recruiting [high] school dropouts and other disadvantaged and at-risk youth, according to criteria established by the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps Advisory Committee.

(6) To the extent practicable, the program director shall enlist state and federal agencies, local government, nonprofit organizations[,] and private businesses, and any combination of such entities, to act as sponsors for programs administered under this section. Selection of sponsors shall be based on criteria that include the following:

(a) The availability of other resources on a matching basis, including contributions from private sources, other federal, state and local agencies, and moneys available through the [Job Training Partnership Act (P.L. 97-300, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)] federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.);

(b) The provision of related educational and job training programs to participants, including but not limited to [high] school and college coursework, General Educational Development (GED) tests equivalency training, project-related education and professional training;

(c) Assurances that proposed projects will not displace existing employees or duplicate existing private or government programs; and

(d) Assurances that proposed projects are devoted to the enhancement of the community and are not based in maintenance activities and that these projects meet an identified need.

(7) In consultation with the advisory committee, the program director shall make grants for programs administered under this section.

SECTION 2. ORS 418.653 is amended to read:

418.653. (1) Subject to the availability of funds therefor, there is created an Oregon Youth Conservation Corps that shall provide emergency services, public conservation, rehabilitation and improvement programs. The corps shall be headed by a program director, and shall be administered through the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development.

(2) Upon implementation of subsection (1) of this section, there shall be created an Oregon Youth Conservation Corps Advisory Committee to consist of nine members, three to be appointed by the President of the Senate, three to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and three public members to be appointed by the Governor. No more than one Senator and one Representative shall be appointed. [Members shall receive no compensation for service on the committee.]

(3) Committee members may receive reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses under ORS 292.495 (2), but may not receive compensation under ORS 292.495 (1) or otherwise for participation as a committee member.

(4) Committee members may be removed by the appointing authority. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. Committee members shall serve for a term of three years and may be reappointed for an additional consecutive term.

[(3)] (5) The advisory committee established under subsection (2) of this section shall advise the program director on the implementation of ORS 418.650 to 418.663.

Approved by the Governor May 30, 2001

Filed in the office of Secretary of State May 30, 2001

Effective date January 1, 2002

__________