(a)
The director shall designate economically disadvantaged areas. These areas shall be priority areas for services provided under this part. To the fullest extent possible, offices shall be established within the boundaries of the disadvantaged areas designated by the director.
(b)
To the extent permitted by law, the department shall serve eligible persons in such a way as to prevent discrimination by serving persons whose minority group characteristics coincide to the fullest extent possible with the minority group characteristics of the unemployed and underemployed in the economically disadvantaged areas of their community.
A minority shall be interpreted to include women to assure equality of opportunity in employment in accordance with Executive Order 11478 under the Federal Affirmative Action Program.
(c)
The department shall to the extent permitted by law provide services under this part in accordance with the following priorities:
(1)
Unemployed heads of households.
(2)
Underemployed heads of households.
(3)
Other unemployed and underemployed persons.
(4)
Veterans shall be accorded priority pursuant to federal law.
(d)
For purposes of this division, women as a class shall be deemed to constitute a minority group.