HOUSE BILL NO. 1206

By Representatives Sherry Jones, Langster

Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 1252

By Senators Springer, Burks

AN ACT relative to a pilot project to provide access to free computer training for unemployed persons.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a pilot project consisting of five (5) sites statewide, two (2) in urban areas and three (3) in rural areas to provide access to free computer training for persons who are receiving unemployment compensation benefits pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 50, Chapter 7.

SECTION 2. The purpose of this pilot project is (1) to provide unemployed persons with the opportunity to improve their computer skills, and by association their marketability as employees, and (2) to make Tennessee the most computer literate State in the Nation.

SECTION 3. To effectuate the purposes of the pilot project, the Board of Regents shall develop curricula and class schedules for basic computer training courses. The curricula for such courses shall be designed to teach basic computer skills to persons who are seeking to enhance their opportunities for employment.

SECTION 4. Persons who are receiving unemployment compensation benefits pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 50, Chapter 7, shall be eligible to enroll in such courses without the payment of tuition or student fees.

SECTION 5. The basic computer training courses shall be offered at the State's various community colleges and technology centers as continuing education courses. No course offered or taken pursuant to this act shall be creditable toward the graduation requirement at any public college or university in Tennessee.

SECTION 6. No later than March 1, 1998, the Board of Regents shall report to the General Assembly the number of persons enrolled in the free basic computer training courses authorized by this act and other pertinent information concerning such courses.

SECTION 7. The pilot program created by this act shall cease to exist on July 1, 1998.

SECTION 8. This act shall become operative only if funding has been approved for reimbursement from the general fund for the administrative costs incurred by the commissioner of employment security for the operation of this pilot project.

SECTION 9. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.