The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking public comments about revisions to the nation's employment services programs and administration.
DOL announced its public comment period about proposed revisions to Wagner-Peyser Act regulations in an April 19 news release. Revisions include regulations regarding public staff in employment offices working in state merit systems and improvements to service delivery for migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
"The proposed changes would return the Employment Service to a staffing model that existed without interruption for decades," Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Angela Hanks said in the news release. "They would ensure that Employment Service staff are cross-trained to process unemployment insurance claims when demand increases and allow these staff members to assist in adjudicating claims.
"By closely aligning Employment Service and Unemployment Insurance staff, we can help states and territories respond to the needs of those seeking unemployment benefits and other Employment Service customers effectively and equitably when demands for service spike unexpectedly as they did at the height of the pandemic," Hanks said.
Proposed revisions to Wagner-Peyser Act include redefining employment services terms, clarifying roles and strengthening tatus of state monitor advocates, enhancing recruitment requirements for hiring candidates and increasing data types that state workforce agencies must collect on migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Another change would be to strengthening migrant and seasonal farmworkers protections.
The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 established DOL's nationwide public employment offices, better known today as the Department of Employment Services, where Employment and Training Administration administers federal job training and worker dislocation programs. Employment services also administers federal grants issued to the states for unemployment insurance benefits and public employment service programs.
Anyone who would like to comment on the revisions have until June 21.
