FIRST REGULAR SESSION
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE AVERY.
Read 1st time April 24, 2003, and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 620, RSMo, by adding thereto nine new sections relating to science and mathematics education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 620, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto nine new sections, to be known as sections 620.900, 620.903, 620.906, 620.909, 620.912, 620.915, 620.918, 620.921, and 620.924, to read as follows:
620.900. Sections 620.900 to 620.924 shall be known and may be cited as the "Collaborative for Applied Experiences in Science Act".
620.903. As used in sections 620.900 to 620.924 the following terms mean:
(1) "Division", the division of job development and training within the department of economic development;
(2) "Participant", a person who has been hired and who meets the program eligibility criteria established by sections 620.900 to 620.924;
(3) "Project", an undertaking designed to provide or assist in providing services to promote education and economic development of the general population. The term includes, but is not limited to: laboratory bench work, field research, engineering research, mathematical research, computer science research, and biomedical research, or other undertakings which benefit the science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering education of residents of this state;
(4) "Project sponsor", state agencies, including the departments of economic development, elementary and secondary education, social services, labor and industrial relations, the University of Missouri, and the University of Missouri extension system; any unit of local government, including school districts; not-for-profit and for-profit private corporations or organizations; administrative entities designated pursuant to the requirements of the federal Workforce Investment Act and any subsequent amendments; and community-based organizations.
620.906. There is hereby established, at an appropriate host institution of higher education and in cooperation with the Missouri department of economic development, the "Collaborative for Applied Experiences in Science Program" (CAES) for the purpose of increasing the state-wide potential scientific and technical workforce through the identification, recruitment, and retention of talented college and university undergraduate students.
620.909. 1. The CAES program shall consist of a summer employment program emphasizing the development of research and technical skills in the fields of science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.
2. In selecting participants for the CAES program, the director shall give preference to persons who are successful students at the collegiate levels both within Missouri and outside Missouri and who are residents of the state of Missouri.
3. The goals of this program shall include:
(1) Providing a mechanism for investment in tomorrow's human resources and the economic development of the state;
(2) Introducing students to science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering career opportunities within the state of Missouri;
(3) Providing a mechanism to obtain and retain high potential students in the workforce of the state;
(4) Preparing students for the realities of the science/technical workforce;
(5) Facilitating employer access to a highly select talent pool and developing a partnership in the educational process of talented undergraduate students;
(6) Providing greater diversification of the workforce while infusing the enthusiasm and inquisitiveness of young, bright scholars into the work environment;
(7) Providing practical reinforcement of content knowledge acquired in school and developing performance skills that students need to be successful in the workplace;
(8) Maintaining and amplifying interest in science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering careers; and
(9) Assisting higher education institutions with summer and academic year placement of their undergraduate students.
4. Missouri residents residing outside the state of Missouri shall be eligible to apply to participate in the CAES program.
620.912. The CAES program director shall keep collegiate-level students from Missouri who attend national and regional universities informed about career opportunities in Missouri and establish summer employment opportunities with science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering employers throughout the state of Missouri during the summers. Participants shall be unemployed at the time of their enrollment.
620.915. 1. The program shall consist of projects offering paid work experience integrated with educational and research activities which may include, but is not limited to, laboratory bench work, field research, engineering research, mathematical research, computer science research, and plant and life sciences research.
2. Participants in the program shall be paid a wage according to those rules and regulations of the university or corporate entity and agreed upon by the participants.
620.918. 1. The division of job development and training within the department of economic development shall cooperate with and may directly contract with all state agencies, local units of government and any of the governor's advisory councils or commissions, or their successor agencies, and with private organizations in the delivery of CAES programs.
2. The division shall ensure that all affected state agencies are made aware of the application and are provided the opportunity to offer comments related to the project feasibility, including the identification of other available funds for the project.
620.921. A project sponsor shall administer projects pursuant to sections 620.900 to 620.924 in the following manner:
(1) Participants shall either:
(a) Be paid at least the minimum wage as established by federal or state law at the time of employment; or
(b) Receive a stipend agreed to by the university or corporate entity and the participant;
(2) Persons employed through any CAES program shall be exempt from merit system requirements, and shall not be eligible for membership in any public employees' retirement system. All participants shall be so advised by the project sponsor and the regulating authority;
(3) Services performed by a participant in any CAES program shall not constitute "employment" within the meaning of the Missouri employment security law in chapter 288, RSMo, if the program is operated as a work-relief or work-training program in accordance with subdivision (5) of subsection 9 of section 288.034, RSMo.
620.924. The department of economic development shall promulgate rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of sections 620.900 to 620.924. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated pursuant to the authority of this section shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo.