Read 1st time March 16, 2000, and 1000 copies ordered printed.
ANNE C. WALKER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapters 34 and 173, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to the labor standards of apparel suppliers to state entities.
Section A. Chapters 34 and 173, RSMo, are amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as sections 34.167 and 173.920, to read as follows:
34.167. 1. There is hereby created within the office of administration a "Fair Apparel Manufacturing Standards Commission", which shall consist of nine members, as follows, with no more than five members from the same political party:
(1) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each of the two major political parties, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; (2) Two members of the senate, one from each of the two major political parties, who shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;
(3) One employee of the office of administration, selected by the commissioner of administration;
(4) One member who, by past employment or experience, represents the interests of labor, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;
(5) One member who, by past employment or experience, represents the interests of business, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;
(6) One student at a public, four-year college or university of this state who shall represent student interests in the work of the commission, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;
(7) One citizen of this state who shall represent the interests of the citizens of this state as a whole; appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate.
2. The initial terms of the members of the commission shall begin on September 1, 2001. The terms of all members shall be for two years or until a successor to such member is appointed and qualified. Commissioners may be reappointed to additional terms. The commission shall meet as soon as is practicable after September 1, 2001, and every two years thereafter, in order to elect one of its members as chairman. After each initial biennial meeting, the commission shall meet as often as the chairman deems is necessary to carry out the establishment or revision of the standards developed pursuant to this section. No commissioner shall receive any rate of pay for his or her duties as commissioner, but a commissioner shall receive reimbursement for any actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the duties of commissioner.
3. Prior to January 1, 2002, the commission shall develop a written code of conduct to govern the relationship between the state and any manufacturers or suppliers of any apparel or accessories to any department, agency or other entity of the government of this state, whether for retail or use by such entity, including but not limited to shirts, sweatshirts, pants, sweatpants, shoes, backpacks, duffel bags and other similar items. Such code shall include:
(1) Full, public disclosure of factory locations and conditions for all locations where the apparel or accessories are manufactured; and
(2) The labor standards of all manufacturing entities and sites and of all suppliers, including but not limited to standards for:
(a) Workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining;
(b) The existence of safe and healthy working conditions;
(c) Respectful treatment of employees by employers;
(d) Workers' freedom from forced labor or forced overtime;
(e) The payment of a living wage to workers;
(f) Women's rights;
(g) Child labor;
(h) Employee nondiscrimination; and
(i) The existence of external independent monitoring of such site or such supplier.
4. In creating the code of conduct, the commission shall meet and confer with any interested groups prior to the completion of the code of conduct.
5. Following the completion of the code, the commission shall issue a report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate. The report shall include the agreed-upon code of conduct and any explanation to the code that the commission deems necessary, as well as any other supplemental information that the commission deems necessary.
6. This section shall not apply to public, four-year colleges or universities in this state, each of which shall develop its own code of conduct pursuant to section 173.920.
173.920. 1. Prior to January 1, 2002, all public, four-year colleges and universities in this state shall develop a written code of conduct to govern the relationship between the college or university and such college or university's manufacturers or suppliers of any apparel or accessories, including but not limited to shirts, sweatshirts, pants, sweat pants, shoes, backpacks, duffel bags and other similar items. Each code shall include:
(1) Full, public disclosure of factory locations and conditions for all locations where the apparel or accessories are manufactured; and
(2) The labor standards of all manufacturing entities and sites and of all suppliers, including but not limited to standards for:
(a) Workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining;
(b) The existence of safe and healthy working conditions;
(c) Respectful treatment of employees by employers;
(d) Workers' freedom from forced labor or forced overtime;
(e) The payment of a living wage to workers;
(f) Women's rights;
(g) Child labor;
(h) Employee nondiscrimination; and
(i) The existence of external independent monitoring of such site or such supplier.
2. In creating the code of conduct, the college or university shall meet and confer with its student governing body and with any other interested student groups prior to the completion of the code of conduct.
3. Following the completion of the code, each college or university shall issue a report to the governor, the speaker
of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate. The report shall include the agreed-upon code of conduct and any explanation to the code that the college or university deems necessary, as well as any
other supplemental information that the college or university deems necessary.
Missouri House of Representatives