(a) Upon proper application submitted to the commissioner by community work program sponsors, the commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements with, and to make grants of money to, such community work programs sponsors, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the youth in community service corps consisting of disadvantaged youth assigned to community service projects. The application shall contain a description of the overall goals and objectives of the community service project and specific job titles and job descriptions of the various positions of employment for which a grant is sought, and contain such other information as the commissioner may deem necessary and useful.

(b) No application for a grant pursuant to this act shall be approved by the commissioner unless the commissioner shall find, in the exercise of his discretion, (1) that any community service project to which disadvantaged youth have been or are to be assigned will contribute materially to the development of such disadvantaged youth and to the public health, safety and welfare, and (2) that the assignment of disadvantaged youth to a community service project pursuant to this act will not displace any other person employed by or at such community service project.

(c) No disadvantaged youth shall be employed or assigned pursuant to the provisions of this act for a period in excess of 10 weeks unless the commissioner shall find, in the exercise of his discretion, that a longer period is required or appropriate. No disadvantaged youth employed or assigned pursuant to this act shall be paid or receive compensation less than the applicable minimum wage. Any disadvantaged youth employed or assigned pursuant to the provisions of this act shall be deemed to be an employee of the community work program sponsor that submitted an application on his behalf to the commissioner, and all disadvantaged youth employed or assigned pursuant to the provisions of this act shall be so employed or assigned without regard to the provisions of Title 11 of the Revised Statutes where otherwise applicable.

(d) No grant of money by the commissioner to any community work program sponsor on behalf of any disadvantaged youth shall exceed the sum of $750.00 pro rata for each disadvantaged youth employed or assigned by said community work program sponsor.

(e) Each community work program sponsor shall submit to the commissioner within 60 days of the termination of each community service project for which a grant has been received a report on the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the program and an audit of the project conducted by an independent certified public accountant according to regulations specified by the commissioner.

L.1968, c. 125, s. 5, eff. June 26, 1968. Amended by L.1977, c. 280, s. 2, eff. Nov. 2, 1977.