8. a. The commissioner, in cooperation with other affected agencies of State government, shall report biennially to the Governor and the Legislature on the Work First New Jersey program, and shall include in that report any recommendations for changes in the law or regulations governing the program that the commissioner deems necessary to further the goals of the program. The commissioner shall determine the manner and terms of the reporting in accordance with the requirements of federal law.

b. The commissioner shall issue a public report on at least a quarterly basis concerning the number of recipients in the program, the number of recipients classified as exempt from time limits or deferred from work requirements, the number of recipients classified as to the degree of employability as defined by the commissioner, the number of recipients who have obtained employment, the number of recipients terminated from the program and the reasons for the terminations, the average wages and benefits earned by recipients, the types of employment obtained by recipients and whether the employment is in the public or private sector, the average length of stay in their jobs by recipients who reapply for benefits, and the number of former recipients who have re-entered the program after being terminated.

c. To the extent not otherwise provided pursuant to subsection a. or b. of this section, the commissioner shall conduct such research as he deems appropriate to evaluate the outcomes for recipients, and the benefits, costs and other effects of the program, and shall submit any report resulting from that research to the Governor and the Legislature and otherwise make copies available to the public.

In addition, the commissioner shall initiate a study of the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps program as a means of offering employment to economically disadvantaged youth that provides constructive work experience and training to increase their ability to secure unsubsidized employment. The commissioner shall study the effectiveness of the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps program and the possibility of establishing such a program in this State. The commissioner shall submit a written report of his findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 1998.

L.1997,c.13,s.8.