HB 1556 — Mississippi Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) Program; establish to provide tuition-free community college.

1556 (As Passed the House) AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION EMPLOYABILITY (MISSCATEE) PROGRAM, WHICH SHALL BE DIRECTED BY THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATTENDANCE FOR ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) AND TRAINING LEADING TO ASSOCIATE DEGREE CREDENTIALS OR INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS IN HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-DEMAND INDUSTRIES WITH DOCUMENTED WORKFORCE SHORTAGES PRIORITIZED BY THE OFFICE;

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 1 (DJ\JAB) shortages and build a sustainable economic future begins with investing in career and technical education (CTE) programs that meet the needs of employers and communities.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 2(DJ\JAB) (iv) Transportation and logistics:

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 3(DJ\JAB) (ii) Incentivizing employers to participate in apprenticeship programs, internships and on-the-job training for students;

(b) To provide tuition-free access for recent high school graduates to community colleges with accredited CTE programs that are aligned with Mississippi's workforce sector strategies or priority occupations, as identified by Accelerate MS, which result in a degree H.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 4(DJ\JAB) MS, which result in a degree credential or industry certification in an identified industry sector, ensuring a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the state's economic demands.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 5(DJ\JAB) (b) "Eligible institution" means any community college, local workforce development area or other eligible recipient of funding under this section.

(iv) Is enrolled full-time in an eligible CTE program at a Mississippi community college within twelve (12) months of completion of a secondary education program or dually-enrolled in an eligible CTE program through his or her high school in accordance with Section 37-15-38;

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 6(DJ\JAB) (vi) Maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the administering institution upon enrollment;

(vii) Has not previously earned an associate or bachelor's degree;degree or been enrolled in a community or junior college other than dual enrollment;

(3) The Office of Workforce Development shall serve as fiscal agent in administering the funds, and shall disburse appropriate funds to eligible institutions on a semester basis H.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 7(DJ\JAB) appropriate funds to eligible institutions on a semester basis upon receipt of verification of eligible recipients' enrollment in an eligible program.

(a) The recipient of funds shall commit to working in the industry sector which correlates to his or her earned degree credential or industry certification within the State of Mississippi such a period of time as prescribed by policies H.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 8(DJ\JAB) Mississippi such a period of time as prescribed by policies promulgated by the Office of Workforce Development for each sector strategy and priority occupation;

or (ii) Failure to work in the industry sector which correlates to his or her earned degree credential or industry H.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 9(DJ\JAB) (ii) Failure to work in the industry sector which correlates to his or her earned degree credential or industry certification on a regularly sustained basis as provided in the eligibility requirements of Section 3 of this act.

The Office of Workforce Development shall submit an annual report on the program to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chair of the House Workforce Development Committee, the Chair of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee and the H.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH PAGE 10(DJ\JAB) of the House Workforce Development Committee, the Chair of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee and the Chairperson of the House and Senate Universities and Colleges Committees.

1556 *HR31/R2007**HR31/R2007PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR31/R200725/HR31/R2007PH ST: