(a) The secretary of commerce shall establish within the limits of appropriations therefor and in accordance with the provisions of this section the older Kansans employment program. The secretary may make grants to and enter into contracts with nonprofit agencies or organizations or public bodies for the purpose of providing for the development and operation of the older Kansans employment program.

(b) The older Kansans employment program shall be designed as follows:

(1) The program shall provide to older Kansans an employment placement service with emphasis on employment in the private sector, including nontraditional patterns of employment; and

(2) the program shall provide training in job seeking skills to potential employees who are older Kansans and assistance to potential employers in utilizing the contributions of older Kansans to their work force.

(c) The secretary shall prepare annually a report evaluating the effectiveness of the older Kansans employment program and recommending measures to increase the number of older Kansans gainfully employed. The report shall be prepared and made available annually to the governor, members of the legislature, the secretary for aging and disability services, the commerce development council and the members of the advisory council on aging no later than December 15 each year.

(d) As used in this section, “older Kansan” means a resident of the state of Kansas who is 55 years of age or older.