The below reply and follow up was received from Rep Martin Dec. 5, 2023 at 8:00 AM.

The original request is here.

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Mr. King,

To my reading and the reading of others with whom I have consulted, SB 379 via definitions, particularly in lines 19 – 33, requires the participant (“Apprentice”) and the employer (“Apprenticeship sponsor”) to be registered in Georgia and with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. Further, *a bulletin from the Office of Apprenticeship explains in part, “all individuals who are eligible to work in the U.S. are afforded an opportunity to participate and complete a RAP [registered apprenticeship program].”

Additionally, lines 52 – 55 outline employer application, providing another layer in assuring compliance with all applicable Georgia Law and Federal Law.

In sponsoring the legislation in the House in my role as Higher Education Chair, I relied on Senator Strickland’s statement that SB 379 stacks on underlying Georgia and Federal Law as outlined above.

Best Regards,

Rep. Chuck Martin.

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Note: In my own reply to this response I asked Rep Martin for the title and date of the *U.S. DOL bulletin he cited and he was kind enough to send me this bulletin, (which I had already found and read). I am grateful to Rep Martin.

 

 

 

The below reply was received December 4, 2023 at 9:28 AM from Sen. Strickland’s staffer.

The original request is here.

“Good morning,

I hope this email finds you well. On behalf of Senator Strickland, ” “SB 379 established for the first time a registered apprenticeship program in Georgia that allows individuals to connect with small businesses in search of workers today to gain the skill and experience necessary to start a career.  The bill requires oversight from the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia and also requires that any individual taking part as an apprentice be registered in Georgia with the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.  Illegal immigration was not specifically addressed in this bill but if any legislator believes that illegal aliens are taking the funds set forth in this program, then I am sure we will see a bill to address this.”

Thank you,

“

HANNAH HOLCOMB  | Legislative Assistant Georgia General assembly Georgia State Senate | 18 Capitol Square SW, Suite 324 CLOB | Atlanta, GA 30334 O. 404-656-0508 Email: HANNAH.HOLCOMB@senate.ga. gov SENATOR KAY KIRKPATRICK, DISTRICT 32 Chairwoman – Children and Family SENATOR BRIAN STRICKLAND, DISTRICT 17 Chairman – Judiciary

 

 

“Under President Joe Biden’s term, the VA has processed 161,000 medical and dental care claims for unauthorized migrants in 2022 while postponing medical care for U.S. veterans.”

Townhall

Sarah Arnold | December 03, 2023 10:30 AM

The Department of Veterans Affairs is taking heat for putting the care of illegal migrants first over the needs of those who fought for the United States. 

Russ Duerstine, executive director of Concerned Veterans for America and a veteran of the United States Air Force, told Fox News Digital he is concerned much-needed care for veterans will be forfeited and instead given to migrants. The Department of Veterans Affairs and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly have an agreement to process claims for illegal migrant medical care.

Duerstine explained that the VA has had an internal agreement with the Health Service Corps (IHSC) since 2002 to provide processing. The organization noted that it is not the VA’s responsibility to offer or pay for healthcare.

• Related reading: A second look at veteran priorities and how we treat illegal aliens

He said that Congress needs to launch an investigation to get more information on the agreement. 

More on the process from Trending Politics: 

When an illegal immigrant detained by ICE requires medical attention, they are usually treated on-site by medical specialists. If they require expert or emergency treatment, they may be moved to an independent private provider. In these circumstances, ICE enters into a contract with the VA’s Financial Service Center (VA-FSC) to execute payments to those providers. According to a July report, ICE has hundreds of letters of understanding in which the Health Service Corps (IHSC) of ICE will compensate clinicians at Medicare rates. The VA-FSC’s Healthcare Claims Processing System is used for this, which is a portal that allows clinicians to file and evaluate claims as well as access other services.

ICE has insisted that the VA does not pay for healthcare services for illegal aliens but instead sends funds to the VA-FSC for reimbursements. It noted that the IHSC spent roughly $352 million in FY23 on a “spectrum of healthcare services” to those in ICE custody.

Darin Selnick, who worked as veterans’ affairs adviser on the Domestic Policy Council and as a senior adviser to the VA secretary during the Trump administration, said, “In my position, we would have stopped this because…  read the entire article here.