Rep. Paul Evans

Requires entity that receives funds for certain workforce program initiatives to establish wage standards and develop training plan for individuals who participate in program administered by entity if, under program, entity provides individuals with paid work experience. Provides that individual that performs work for recipient under program shall be considered employee of recipient for purposes of state wage and hour laws and state laws prohibiting discrimination and retaliation. Requires industry consortia representing certain industry sectors to establish wage rate standards for skilled occupations within sectors. Requires additional information to be included in report submitted by Higher Education Coordinating Commission to interim committee of Legislative Assembly. ].

Directs Department of Transportation to waive fee for Fallen Hero roadside memorial highway sign if applicant is Gold Star Family member and funds are appropriated or otherwise made available to department for purpose of paying fees. Directs department to waive surcharge for Gold Star Family registration plate if applicant is Gold Star Family member and funds are appropriated or otherwise made available to department for purpose of paying surcharge. Changes expenditure limitation for Department of Transportation to cover cost of Fallen Hero roadside memorial signs and veterans' recognition registration plates. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.

Specifies ] Increases military leave of absence entitled for public employee for initial active duty for training and annual active duty training as ] to which public employee who is member of National Guard, National Guard Reserve or reserve component of Armed Forces of the United States or of United States Public Health Service is for days that are ] entitled to 21 work days. Permits officer or employee to use military leave for active duty or inactive duty for training, state active duty and duty under Title 10 or 32 of United States Code.

Modifies Department of Justice crime victim compensation program. Expands definitions of "injury" and "survivor." Eliminates time requirement for notifying law enforcement officials of crime. Provides that law enforcement notification requirement is satisfied if victim took other specified actions. Authorizes compensation for counseling expenses for witness to death of victim or any person who first discovers deceased victim. Provides that medication prescribed in conjunction with counseling expenses or, for claims involving injuries, any medication associated with medical and hospital expenses, is compensable. Authorizes compensation for lost wages for parent or legal guardian of minor victim. Authorizes compensation for cleaning expenses related to death or injury of person. Authorizes department to award additional amount for funeral expenses. Increases maximum weekly compensation rate for loss of support to dependents of deceased victim. Provides that claims associated with review of assailant's case or hearing on assailant's release do not expire. Repeals provisions directing department not to process compensation application if victim owes financial obligation associated with prior criminal conviction. Directs department to process application for incarcerated applicant in normal course, and provides that such applicant is not eligible for compensation until release. Provides that information submitted to department by applicant is confidential. ] Eliminates provisions directing department to notify district attorney when compensation claim is filed and defer compensation if prosecution is pending.

Modifies definition of "renewable energy facility" for purposes of county permitting process for solar photovoltaic power generation facility. Requires county to require applicant for permit to establish solar photovoltaic power generation facility using certain number of acres to provide decommissioning plan that includes bonding or other security. Prohibits Department of Transportation from discriminating against or favoring renewable energy facility when reviewing or granting application to place, build or construct on right of way of state highway or county road.

Requires Employment Relations Board to develop guidelines and procedures for authorizations designating bargaining representatives of bargaining unit to be prepared and signed electronically. Establishes requirements for petitions for representation that are submitted as electronic record. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Identifies certain covered vendors. Directs State Chief Information Officer to adopt rules pertaining to designation of corporate entity as additional covered vendor for purposes of protecting state information technology assets. Prohibits installation or download of certain ] covered products onto state information technology assets. Prohibits use or access of certain ] covered products by state information technology assets. Requires state agencies to remove covered products from state information technology assets and implement all measures necessary to prevent installation or download of certain ] covered products onto state information technology assets and use or access of certain ] covered products by state information technology assets. Permits state agency to permit download, installation, use or access of covered product for purpose of carrying out law enforcement activities ] investigatory, regulatory or law enforcement purposes . Requires state agency that permits download, installation, use or access of covered product to adopt risk mitigation standards and procedures. Requires Secretary of State and State Treasurer to prohibit covered products of certain covered vendors from being installed or downloaded onto, or used or accessed by, state information technology assets, remove covered products installed or downloaded onto state information technology assets and implement all measures necessary to prevent installation or download of covered products onto, and use or access of covered products by, state information technology assets. Permits Secretary of State or State Treasurer to permit download, installation, use or access of covered product for investigatory, regulatory or law enforcement purposes if Secretary of State or State Treasurer adopts risk mitigation standards and procedures. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Authorizes governing body of public body to meet in executive session to consider matters relating to safety of governing body, public body staff and public body volunteers and to security of public body facilities and meeting spaces, and relating to cyber security infrastructure and responses to cyber security threats. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Prohibits person from recklessly, knowingly or intentionally using unmanned aircraft system to interfere with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response effort. Imposes penalties for violation.

Expands and provides funding for coordinated crisis services system including 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline. Establishes 9-8-8 Trust Fund. Imposes 9-8-8 tax on consumers and retail subscribers who have telecommunications service or interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol service and who have prepaid telecommunications services, to pay for crisis services system. Exempts from taxation telecommunications services provided, based on need, under plan of assistance. Applies to subscriber bills issued and retail transactions made on or after January 1, 2024 , and before January 1, 2030 . Requires city to enter into memorandum of understanding with county regarding provision of mobile crisis intervention services. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.