Amend the bill, as and if amended, by deleting all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 13 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 13-1-1810. The powers and duties of the Education and Economic Development Coordinating Council relating to regional education centers pursuant to Chapter 59, Title 59 are transferred to the Department of Commerce.
Section 13-1-1820. (A) The Department of Commerce shall provide oversight to the regional education centers, which are to coordinate and facilitate the delivery of information, resources, and services to students, educators, employers, and the community as provided in this article. The department shall seek the input from the State Department of Education in carrying out the requirements of this section.
(B) The primary responsibilities of these centers are to:
(1) provide services to students and adults for career planning, employment seeking, training, and other support functions;
(2) provide information, resources, and professional development programs to educators;
(3) provide resources to school districts for compliance and accountability pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 59, Title 59;
(4) provide information and resources to employers including, but not limited to, education partnerships, career oriented learning, and training services;
(5) facilitate local connections among businesses and those involved in education;
(6) work with school districts and institutions of higher education to create and coordinate workforce education programs; and
(7) ensure each regional education center has a career development facilitator.
(C)(1) Each regional education center shall have a career development facilitator to coordinate career oriented learning, career development, and postsecondary transitioning for the schools in its region.
(2) A career development facilitator must be certified and recognized by the National Career Development Association.
(D) The centers shall provide data and reports that the department requests.
(E)(1) The regional centers must conform to the geographic configuration of the Local Workforce Investment Areas (LWIA) of the South Carolina Workforce Investment Act. Each regional center shall have an advisory board comprised of a school district superintendent, high school principal, local workforce investment board chairperson, technical college president, four-year college or university representative, career center director or school district career and technology education coordinator, parent-teacher organization representative, and business and civic leaders. Appointees must reside or do business in the geographic area of the center. Appropriate local legislative delegations shall make the appointments to the regional center boards.
(2) The regional centers shall include, but not be limited to, the one-stop shops, workforce investment boards, tech prep consortia, and regional instructional technology centers.
Section 13-1-1840. The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, in collaboration with the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education and the Commission on Higher Education, and the State Department of Education shall assist the Department of Commerce in planning and promoting the career information and employment options and preparation programs provided for in this section and in the establishment of the regional education centers by:
(1) identifying potential employers to participate in the career oriented learning programs;
(2) serving as a contact point for employees seeking career information and training;
(3) providing labor market information including, but not limited to, supply and demand;
(4) promoting increased career awareness and career counseling through the management and promotion of the South Carolina Occupational Information System;
(5) collaborating with local agencies and businesses to stimulate funds; and
(6) cooperating in the creation and coordination of workforce education programs."
SECTION 2. Section 59-59-190 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 88 of 2005, is amended to read:
"Section 59-59-190. (A) The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, in collaboration with the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education and the Commission on Higher Education, shall assist the Department of Education, in planning and promoting the career information and employment options and preparation programs provided for in this chapter and in the establishment of the regional education centers by:
(1) identifying potential employers to participate in the career-oriented learning programs;
(2) serving as a contact point for employees seeking career information and training;
(3) providing labor market information including, but not limited to, supply and demand;
(4) promoting increased career awareness and career counseling through the management and promotion of the South Carolina Occupational Information System;
(5) collaborating with local agencies and businesses to stimulate funds; and
(6) cooperating in the creation and coordination of workforce education programs.
(B) The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce shall assist in providing a link between employers in South Carolina and youth seeking employment."
SECTION 3. Section 59-59-170 and Section 59-59-180 of the 1976 Code are repealed.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.