When was Virginia House Bill HB 2195 introduced?

HB 2195 was introduced on Jan 11, 2023.

Has Virginia House Bill HB 2195 passed the House?

Yes, HB 2195 has passed the House on Feb 07, 2023.

Has Virginia House Bill HB 2195 passed the Senate?

Yes, HB 2195 has passed the Senate on Feb 21, 2023.

Has Virginia House Bill HB 2195 been signed into law?

Yes, HB 2195 was signed into law on Mar 26, 2023.

What's the current status of Virginia House Bill HB 2195?

The latest action on HB 2195 by the executive was: Approved by Governor-Chapter 624 (effective 7/1/23) on Mar 26, 2023.

Who introduced Virginia House Bill HB 2195?

HB 2195 was introduced by Kathy J. Byron.

Are voting records available for Virginia House Bill HB 2195?

Yes, there are 9 voting records available for HB 2195

Bill tracking in Virginia - HB 2195 (2023 legislative session)

Introduced
Jan 11, 2023
Passed House
Feb 07, 2023
Passed Senate
Feb 21, 2023
Signed into Law
Mar 26, 2023

HB 2195

Virginia House Bill

Workforce development; consolidation of policies and programs, etc.

Last Action See all actions

executive • Mar 26, 2023: Approved by Governor-Chapter 624 (effective 7/1/23)

Latest Bill Text See all bill texts

Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0624)

Do you support this bill?

Official Summary/Bill Text

Comments on HB 2195

Anna Wright wrote 1 month ago

While there is an agreement that the workforce programs need to be combined in order to eliminate silo of ALL workforce programs to better serve Virginian’s and Virginia Employers. The creation of this agency will FINALLY get workforce services to ALL Virginian’s and Employers as long as this administration utilizes those funds by what is clearly stated within each workforce programs legislation. All of these workforce programs that this administration is moving have their own unique legislation requirements. The funds under the law are intended for those Virginian’s and employers within the local workforce areas to find qualified employment/employees through the local workforce programs. This has always been the intention of the WIOA law but has NOT been utilized in Virginia for this purpose which most tax payers have no knowledge. Unfortunately instead these tax payer federal/state funds that have been given to local workforce areas are totally controlled by Local Executive Directors (ED’s). These ED’s clearly eliminate certain Virginian’s (what we call creaming of Virginian’s). The reason these ED’s engage in such a practice of creaming simply comes down to political strategy established by the ED’s in order to control measurable outcomes (note- not all local areas but the majority of workforce areas). If the ED’s control outcomes by creaming (picking and choosing who enters their Local Dislocated Programs (DLW) )then they the Executive Directors get higher outcomes. The bottom line comes down to higher outcomes means more dollars for their areas to use as they the ED’s wish. The Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) is clear these federal funds will be used for all Virginian’s and Employers but that has not been occurring in Virginia. There is nowhere under WIOA or any individual federal funded workforce program to allow the Local Workforce Area Executive Directors to have so much control over these funds. Over the years control created discriminations and silos which brings us to why this new agency must be established. Without the establishment of a single agency control over these local Executive Directors and silo workforce programs i.e. Dislocated Workers, Youth, Adult that receive tax payer dollars cannot be done. Now is the time to eliminate the local area control to give all in need access. However, the fear of the establishment of a sole agency for workforce is the lack of knowledge at the governors office level on exactly how these funds CAN be used as mandated by law. The fear is with the development of this bill political pressure is going to be applied. Some that support this bill and have been extremely vocal think the funds can just be given to employers, the law attached to these funds will not allow. Some believe due to them having political power through lobbying for support of this bill will now give them access to to these federal funds in order to grow their personal training Institutions, again they cannot be used for this purpose. The law is strict on using federal funds. With the creation of this new agency the United States Office of the Inspector General need to establish a yearly review for a period of time to ensure those having potential control of this new agency will use funds as intended. When funds are not used as the law clearly states will establish disallowed cost and disallowed cost cannot be paid back with federal dollars instead those disallowed cost will fall back on the General Assembly approving State Funds to payback. Tax payers then bare the burden of political incompetence by an administration. In addition those state funds covering disallowed cost will mean other State Programs and services in Virginia will be hurt the funds coming to them will be cut or eliminated. Yes the agency needs to be created for all the right reason not just the funding.