Creating the Kansas workforce pathway act, establishing the office of workforce pathways within the department of commerce and the Kansas council on workforce pathways, providing for a system for linking and analyzing data and statistics concerning Kansas workforce for the benefit of the public, legislature and state agencies and a free, searchable public online registry of educational and occupational credentials.
Impact
The bill intends to impact state laws by facilitating the secure exchange of individual-level education and workforce data among state agencies, thereby enhancing the state’s capability to inform and improve workforce development programs. Moreover, it also establishes rigorous measures to protect personally identifiable information, preventing unauthorized data release and establishing protocols to manage data breaches effectively. By doing so, it aims to foster public trust in the state's capacity to handle sensitive information while improving workforce analytics.
Summary
House Bill 2774, known as the Kansas Workforce Pathway Act, proposes the establishment of the office of workforce pathways within the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Council on Workforce Pathways. The main aim of this legislation is to create an integrated system for linking and analyzing both educational and workforce data relevant to Kansas. This system is designed to enhance the availability of information regarding workforce development and education-to-employment transitions, ultimately benefiting the public, legislators, and state agencies. A significant component is the establishment of a free, searchable online registry for educational and occupational credentials.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2774 may revolve around the implications for personal privacy and data security. While the bill emphasizes the importance of data security and establishes legal protections, apprehensions regarding governmental overreach into personal educational and employment records may still arise. Furthermore, discussions about the operational effectiveness of the Office of Workforce Pathways and the Kansas Council on Workforce Pathways could highlight concerns over transparency and accountability in managing and utilizing the collected data.
Enacting the longitudinal data act, establishing the division of longitudinal data in the legislative research department, authorizing the appointment of a director of the division by the legislative coordinating council and providing for the development and management of the Kansas longitudinal data system for the purpose of tracking and analyzing education, workforce and related data.
Establishing the Child-Care Workforce Commission; and providing for duties of the Child-Care Workforce Commission, for public portal and Internet website of the Child-Care Workforce Commission and for annual child-care workforce report.
Relating to the establishment of the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and a workgroup on nursing career pathways and the abolition of the statewide health coordinating council and the nursing advisory committee of that council.
Directing The Department Of Education, In Collaboration With The Delaware Department Of Labor And The Delaware Workforce Development Board, To Evaluate And Report On Opportunities For Delaware Pathways To Support The Creative Economy.
Requesting The Workforce Development Council To Recommend To The Governor, For Inclusion In The State Unified Plan, A Comprehensive Statewide Workforce Strategy To Ensure That All People Of The State Have A Pathway To A Career That Enables Them To Learn, Work, And Thrive In The State And Contribute To A Vibrant Local Economy Grounded In Community Values By 2045.
Requesting The Workforce Development Council To Recommend To The Governor, For Inclusion In The State Unified Plan, A Comprehensive Statewide Workforce Strategy To Ensure That All People Of The State Have A Pathway To A Career That Enables Them To Learn, Work, And Thrive In The State And Contribute To A Vibrant Local Economy Grounded In Community Values By 2045.