The bill establishes the New Jersey Skills Service Corps within the Department of State, aimed at providing adult volunteers with opportunities to gain credentials while serving their communities. The program will connect volunteers with State entities to offer workforce experience and credentialing, and will be administered by the Office of Volunteerism. The Director of the Office of Volunteerism is tasked with setting procedures and standards for the program, ensuring it includes training and free credential certification, volunteer work in various sectors, and prioritization of participants from underserved communities. Eligible residents aged 18 and older can volunteer for up to 24 months, receiving a monthly stipend for at least 15 hours of service.
Additionally, the bill creates a dedicated non-lapsing fund, the New Jersey Skills Service Corps Fund, to support the program through appropriated funds, federal grants, and private contributions. The fund will be managed by the Department of the Treasury. The bill also defines "State entity" and "underserved community" to clarify the scope of the program. An appropriation from the General Fund is included to ensure the program's objectives are met.