HB5385enr 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5385 Enrolled LRB102 25091 KTG 34351 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Veterans' Affairs Act is amended by adding Section 16 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/16 new)

Sec. 16. SkillBridge program. Subject to appropriation for this purpose, the Department shall serve as the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for employers and transitioning service members. As the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for qualified businesses in this State and for transitioning service members who reside in, or who wish to reside in, this State, the Department shall:

(1) establish and maintain, as applicable, its certification for the SkillBridge program or any other similar workforce training and transition programs established by the United States Department of Defense;

(2) educate businesses, business associations, and transitioning service members regarding the SkillBridge program and its benefits, and educate military command and personnel within the State on the opportunities available to transitioning service members through the SkillBridge program;

(3) assist businesses in obtaining approval for skilled workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships, internships, or fellowships; and

(4) match transitioning service members who are deemed eligible for SkillBridge participation by their military command with training opportunities offered by participating businesses, with the intent of having transitioning service members achieve gainful employment in this State upon completion of their SkillBridge training.

The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.