H. B. 2200

(By Delegates Gallagher, Rutledge, Williams, Compton
Prezioso, Ashcraft and Burk

[Introduced February 19, 1993; referred to the
Committee on Education then Finance.]

A BILL to amend chapter eighteen-c of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated article five, relating to creation of a "Future Corps" scholarship program for public and community service.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That chapter eighteen-c of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated article five, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 5. "FUTURE CORPS" SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY WORKERS.

§18C-5-1. Establishment; purpose.

The board of trustees and the board of directors shall establish a program entitled the "Future Corps," designed to help individuals earn the means for a college education through public service positions meeting human service and local needs.
The purpose of this program shall be to provide public service to the community at large and to provide, as well, benefits to participating individuals including incentives to finish high school in order to qualify for Future Corps service; achievement of educational goals without onerous debt burdens; an alternative to military service; and the development of an interest in public service careers.

§18C-5-2. Administration generally; director.

The board of trustees and board of directors shall develop and monitor the Future Corps mission, solicit foundation and other private sector contributions, develop policy and monitor expenditures.
The boards shall appoint a state director whose primary responsibilities shall include: Development and implementation of a state program that is regionally based; development of selection criteria for potential project sponsors and a process to inform sponsors of their duties; supervising the internship and educational development components of the program; review and evaluation of sponsor performance; coordinating contracts for insurance benefits; operating statewide recruitment and promotions; and development of linkages with public and private educational and employment organizations, and with community service opportunities offered by public schools and post- secondary institutions.
The state director shall coordinate recruitment and placement of Future Corps workers. State employment offices, private industry councils, high school counselors, post-secondaryeducation placement offices, and related career and jobs centers shall receive Future Corps materials and be requested to take part in recruitment efforts. A rigorous screening procedure shall be implemented and in addition the board of directors and board of trustees shall adjust the selection of interns by cultural and racial background, family income level and geographic residence to maximize diversity of membership. The state director shall each year submit a plan to the board of directors and board of trustees to recruit minority, low-income and other individuals who could not otherwise afford a college education.

§18C-5-3. Sponsors; service categories.

Sponsors may apply to Future Corps for placements. A sponsor must demonstrate that it does not practice discrimination, that a Future Corps intern will help them meet important human services or environmental needs which are unable to be met by existing personnel and that existing personnel will not be displaced. Service interns shall be placed individually with approved sponsors. Sponsors will be responsible for the cost of one half of the Future Corps intern's stipend at the state minimum wage.
An activity may be designated as a service category and receive Future Corps workers if the board and the director determine that the activity is of substantial social benefit in meeting unmet human, social or environmental needs. The service categories referred to in this section include: Service instate, local and regional government agencies; service in nursing homes, hospices, senior centers and hospitals; local libraries, parks, recreational facilities, day care centers and schools; service in law enforcement agencies and penal and probation systems; service in private nonprofit organizations whose principal purpose is social service; service in the rehabilitation or improvement of public facilities; neighborhood improvements; literacy training; repairs to low-income housing; energy conservation; and conservation, maintenance, or restoration of natural resources on publicly held lands; and any other service that the boards determine to be appropriate for purposes of this article.
The service categories referred to in this subsection may not include an position in: A business organized for profit; labor union; partisan political organization; or organization engaged in religious activities, unless such position does not involve any religious function.

§18C-5-4. Tuition voucher, etc.

Any person who serves in a Future Corps project under this article shall be not less than seventeen years of age. Any person who does not hold a high school diploma or its equivalent may not be accepted in Future Corps unless such person works out a plan acceptable to the state director for achieving a high school equivalency. Continued enrollment in Future Corps is conditional upon successful completion of the plan. All Future Corps interns shall commit themselves to at least one year and nomore than two years of service. During their service, interns shall receive a weekly stipend equivalent to payment at the state minimum wage. In addition, those interns who complete one year of service in Future Corps shall earn a tuition voucher in an amount equivalent to the cost of two years of tuition, room, board and fees at any of the public institutions of higher education under the governing authority of the board of trustees and board of directors. Future Corps interns who complete two years of service shall earn a tuition voucher in an amount equivalent to the cost of four years of tuition, room, board and fees. If an intern so chooses, the voucher shall be issued for use at any accredited private institution of higher education. Any person serving in a Future Corps project may arrange to receive academic credit at any accredited institution of higher education in recognition of learning and skills for service satisfactorily completed. All Future Corps members shall be covered by workers' compensation and health insurance during their terms of service.

§18C-5-5. Reports to director.

Sponsors receiving grants under section three shall provide oversight of Future Corps workers in accordance with procedures established by the board. Each sponsor receiving a grant under section three shall prepare and submit reports as determined by the director.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create a "Future Corps" Scholarship Program for public and community workers, also providing college tuition waivers for participants.

This article is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.