Bill Text: VA HJR51 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Employment service organizations; DGS, et al., to study procuring goods and services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-01 - Continued to 2025 in Rules by voice vote [HJR51 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR51-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Commonwealth to promote employment opportunities for all residents of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the procurement process provides an opportunity for various employers to contribute to the growth and innovation of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, diversity in procurement of goods, services, and construction bring valuable resources to the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, there are over 85 community rehabilitation programs, known as Employment Service Organizations, throughout the Commonwealth that are approved by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to provide an array of employment-related services to individuals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Employment Service Organizations are underrepresented in contracts procured by the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of General Services, in tandem with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, be requested to study procuring goods and services from employment service organizations.
In conducting its study, the Department of General Services, in tandem with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, shall examine the current process for procurement, potential set-asides or percentage goals that could be utilized or bolstered by employment service organizations, and whether employment service organizations should be housed within the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity.
Technical assistance shall be provided to the Department of General Services and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of General Services and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services for this study, upon request.
The Department of General Services and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall complete their meetings by November 30, 2024, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of their findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
