9-2-2601. Department of workforce services; duties and responsibilities; agreements with other agencies authorized; definition; merger with department of employment.

(a) The department of workforce services is created. The department is the authority for workforce services. The department is the successor agency for public employment and training services which previously existed under the department of employment. The department shall perform all functions previously performed by those programs.

(b) The department may submit a plan for the state to the appropriate federal agencies for work activities and programs as authorized under section 102 of the act of congress approved July 22, 2014 entitled "Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act", P.L. 113-128, 29 U.S.C. 3112 or subsequent similar enactments.

(c) The department shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act to implement requirements of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or subsequent similar enactments. When adopting such rules and regulations the department shall use language which focuses on the importance of a person, rather than a person's disability.

(d) The department shall administer expenditures from the workforce development training fund as provided in W.S. 9-2-2604. The department shall administer expenditures from the Wyoming workforce development-priority economic sector partnership subaccount within the economic diversification account as provided in W.S. 9-2-2609 through 9-2-2611 and 9-12-1404.

(e) The department is the designated agency for the state under 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq. and shall:

(i) Comply with the requirements of and secure benefits for the state under 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq.;

(ii) Establish and maintain public employment offices throughout the state; and

(iii) Cooperate with federal agencies under 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq.

(f) The department may cooperate and enter into agreements with the railroad retirement board, any other federal or state agency or any private nonprofit organization for the provision of public employment offices and services and may accept contributions for this purpose.

(g) The department shall take appropriate steps to:

(i) Reduce and prevent unemployment and provide supportive services that are necessary to assist individuals to take part in activities leading to self-sufficiency;

(ii) Encourage and assist in the adoption of practical methods of vocational training, retraining and guidance;

(iii) Investigate, recommend, advise and assist in the establishment and operation of public works reserves by the state and its political subdivisions to be used in times of business depression and unemployment;

(iv) Promote alternative reemployment of unemployed workers throughout the state;

(v) Conduct and publish results of investigations and research studies;

(vi) Assist the Wyoming workforce development council and the state youth council in pursuing their missions and goals; and

(vii) Administer contracts pursuant to W.S. 9-2-2608 and 9-2-2609 through 9-2-2611.

(h) In any civil action to enforce this act, the department may be represented by the attorney general at the request of the department.

(j) As used in this article unless the context requires otherwise, "department" means the department of workforce services.

(k) On or before July 1, 2011, the department of workforce services shall include all divisions, programs and functions previously assigned to the department of employment created by W.S. 9-2-2002.