AN ACT to direct the legislative research commission to study workforce development issues for refugees.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) shall study workforce development for refugees. As part of its study, the LRC shall determine:

(1)        The skills and education that many refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and asylum seekers who have been granted asylum (asylees) bring with them to North Carolina.

(2)        The challenges and barriers that refugees, SIV holders, and asylees face to find employment in their areas of expertise.

(3)        The difficulties refugees, SIV holders, and asylees face in obtaining recognition for their foreign credentials with the result that their professional skills are not fully utilized.

(4)        The extent to which the underemployment of refugees, SIV holders, and asylees deprives North Carolina's economy of millions of dollars.

SECTION 1.(b)  Upon the conclusion of the study authorized under subsection (a) of this section, the LRC shall make recommendations regarding:

(1)        Opportunities to tap into the pool of skilled individuals and licensed professionals who are refugees, SIV holders, and asylees to work in areas where they have expertise, as well as to fill key gaps in our labor force.

(2)        Ways to strengthen workforce development opportunities including legislative, administrative, and regulatory changes.

SECTION 1.(c)  The LRC shall report its findings, together with any proposed legislation, to the 2022 Regular Session of the 2021 General Assembly upon its convening.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.