SB358:

Seafood Industry Employment Ombudsman; office created.

Bill Summary:

Seafood industry workforce liaison. Directs the Governor or the Secretary of Labor to designate a liaison to address seafood industry workforce needs by (i) promoting the interests of seafood industry employees and employers; (ii) assisting employees and employers in understanding the rights and processes available to them, including those related to temporary worker visas; (iii) answering inquiries; (iv) providing referrals to public and private agencies upon request; and (v) reporting annually on the liaison's activities to the House Committees on Commerce and Energy and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committees on Commerce and Labor and Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources. The bill requires the liaison to carry out his duties with impartiality and provides that he is immune from civil liability in the performance of his duties. The bill also provides that certain records and communications are exempt from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The bill directs the Governor or the Secretary of Labor to designate a current employee of the executive branch to serve in this capacity in lieu of hiring a new employee.