AN ACT CONCERNING A PLAN FOR THE CONNECTICORPS PROGRAM.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) The Labor Department, in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Board of Regents for Higher Education and The University of Connecticut, shall develop a plan to establish the Connecticorps program to capitalize on the skills of students enrolled in the state system of higher education to improve the quality of life for Connecticut residents. Such plan shall include, but not be limited to: (1) An assessment of the feasibility of establishing the Connecticorps program not later than September 1, 2017, (2) the identification of existing or potential job sites for students participating in such program; (3) comprehensive research regarding the availability of stipends, housing and health care options for students participating in such program; and (4) a programmatic design for the coordination and state oversight of the Connecticorps program.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2017, the Labor Department shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor, commerce and higher education. Such report shall address the status of the plan as well as any recommendations for administrative or legislative action necessary to establish the Connecticorps program not later than September 1, 2017.

Statement of Purpose:

To improve the quality of life for Connecticut residents by establishing a Connecticorps program that will harness student energy, creativity and skills to support vital state and nonprofit programs.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

S.B. 445