A legislative committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend reauthorization of a state program designed to benefit people who need help landing a job after being out of the working world for at least eight years.
The program to assist displaced homemakers is slated to lapse, but the committee's recommendation is for it to continue for another five years.
The program helps homemakers who have been "without significant gainful employment outside the home" at least eight years and who have lost income they depended on that was provided by a family member or who have relied on government help for their dependent children but are no longer eligible for that assistance.
State officials said many people entering the job market lack marketable job skills and need education, training, counseling or other help in getting work.
The program is funded through $20 from each marriage license fee.
John Nixon, a deputy director of the Department of Workforce Services, told the Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee that the program receives about $500,000 in funding annually and serves about 600 people per month. Nearly half of them are able to find jobs, he said.