In accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the Department of Economic and Community Development, referred to in this chapter as "the department," shall establish and administer a social equity program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," to increase workforce development programs and provide support to individuals who are members of impacted communities and businesses that are owned by members of impacted communities. For purposes of this chapter, "impacted community" means a racial, ethnic or tribal population that has experienced incarceration at rates disproportionate to the racial, ethnic or tribal population's rate of criminality starting in or about the year 1971 and as a result the racial, ethnic or tribal population has experienced direct or indirect discrimination in access to housing, employment and education. The department may employ consultants, contract for services or enter into agreements with private and public entities, such as other state agencies, as necessary for the establishment and implementation of the program as long as costs associated with the program do not exceed $300,000 per biennium.   [PL 2023, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]