1. Responsibilities. The Maine Jobs Council is established and in this section is referred to as the "council." The council will to ensure that the State's workforce development system helps Maine people and businesses compete successfully in the global economy. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

A. Performing all of the duties and responsibilities of the State Human Resource Investment Council state board as defined in the United States Job Training Partnership Workforce Investment Act, 29 United States Code, Title 29, Section 1792 2801, including, but not limited to, the duties and responsibilities set forth in subsection 5-D;

B. Recommending to the Governor an annual a state workforce development plan designed to maximize utilization and effectiveness of state workforce development services;

C. Monitoring agency and system-wide strategic goals based on the statewide workforce development policy and strategic plan and evaluating progress toward meeting those goals;

D. Providing recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature that would improve system effectiveness and reduce system fragmentation;

E. Creating greater coordination between economic development and human resource development and education programs; and

F. Ensuring a balance between rural and urban workforce development.;

G.__Providing policy oversight and recommendations to ensure the effectiveness of vocational programs for people with disabilities in order to support efforts that reduce barriers to employment;

H.__Providing policy oversight and recommendations to ensure that self-employment, microenterprise and small business are part of the overall workforce development strategy;

I.__Providing policy recommendations to ensure the effectiveness of work-related programs and services for youth, including youth with disabilities; and