Section 10-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program(a) As used in this section:(1) "Eligible institution" means(A) a public institution of higher education within the state system of public higher education, as that term is described in section 10a-1 of the general statutes, or (B) an independent institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-173 of the general statutes;(2) "Resident specialist" means any candidate for the program described in subsection (b) of this section who (A) is employed in a specialty occupation on a part-time basis by a private employer, (B) is not a citizen of the United States, and (C) desires to move to or remain in the state in nonimmigrant status while employed by such private employer; and(3) "Specialty occupation" has the same meaning as provided in 8 USC 1184(i), as amended from time to time.(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the Department of Economic and Community Development shall submit recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, for the design and establishment of a three-year pilot program, which shall be known as the Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce. The program shall be designed for the purpose of retaining or attracting resident specialists in or to the state and may: (1) Facilitate or support partnerships between eligible institutions and private employers that employ resident specialists for such purpose;(2) Assist resident specialists in filing visa applications; and(3) Allow for the acceptance of donated funds in support of the program's purposes.(c) In submitting recommendations pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the Department of Economic and Community Development: (1) Shall consult with The University of Connecticut, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, the Office of Workforce Strategy and the office of the Governor; and(2) May consult with other eligible institutions, nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses, and include, but need not be limited to, other programmatic recommendations to further the program's purposes.(d) Not later than January 1, 2025, the Department of Economic and Community Development, The University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities shall jointly conduct a survey of noncitizen students at The University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, to assess potential interest in the Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program. Such survey may be conducted in collaboration with other eligible institutions and any other parties.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-NEW
Added by P.A. 24-0103,S. 1 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2024 Regular Session, eff. 6/4/2024.