SENATE BILL NO. 393

INTRODUCED BY M. WATERMAN

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT DESIGNATING THE BOARD OF REGENTS AS THE ELIGIBLE AGENCY FOR ADMINISTERING THE CARL D. PERKINS ACT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN MONTANA; REQUIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE COMMISSIONER OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO WORK COOPERATIVELY ON THE VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STATE PLAN; REQUIRING THE BOARD OF REGENTS TO MEET WITH INTERESTED PERSONS AND ENTITIES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE STATE PLAN; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND A TERMINATION DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Legislative intent. (1) It is the intent of the legislature that the administration of the programs authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act provide a seamless system of services to those people seeking to improve their vocational and technical skills.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that the superintendent of public instruction and the commissioner work cooperatively in providing that system of vocational and technical services at both the secondary and postsecondary levels.

(3) It is the intent of the legislature that the development of the state plan for vocational and technical education be a cooperative effort of the superintendent of public instruction and the commissioner in consultation with teachers, students, and institutions or agencies that provide the services and activities.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Eligible agency for federal vocational education requirements. (1) The board of regents is the eligible agency for purposes of the 1984 federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, as amended, which requires a state participating in programs under that act to designate a state board as the eligible agency responsible for administration or supervision of those programs.

(2) The board of regents shall contract with the superintendent of public instruction for the administration and supervision of K-12 vocational education programs, services, and activities allowed by the 1984 federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, as amended, and in concert with the state plan for vocational and technical education required by the act. The board of regents may contract with other agencies for the administration and supervision of postsecondary vocational education programs, services, and activities that receive funding allowed by the 1984 federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, as amended.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Development of state plan -- meetings -- report. (1) The superintendent of public instruction and the commissioner shall each appoint two people to serve on a committee to develop the 5-year state plan for vocational and technical education as required by 20 U.S.C. 2323. The four appointed members shall select a fifth member who must represent a community-based organization that provides vocational and technical education services.

(2) At least four times a year, the board of regents shall meet with the superintendent of public instruction, teachers, students, labor organizations, businesses, and institutions or agencies involved in vocational and technical education to:

(a) discuss the implementation of the state plan;

(b) evaluate the state plan;

(c) identify any issues or concerns with the administration of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act in Montana;

(d) identify the needs of vocational-technical students and programs in Montana and determine the best way to meet those needs; and

(e) if necessary, make changes in the administration and operation of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act in Montana.

(3) The board of regents shall report the results of the meetings required in subsection (2) to the 57th legislature in accordance with the provisions of 5-11-210.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 through 3] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 7, part 3, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 7, part 3, apply to [sections 1 through 3].

NEW SECTION. Section 5. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 1999.

NEW SECTION. Section 6. Termination. [This act] terminates June 30, 2001.

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