HB 562 — AN ACT relating to alternative high school diplomas.

UNOFFICIALCHAPTER COPY15 261 RSCHAPTER 15 ( HB 562/EN562 ) AN ACT relating to alternative high school diplomas.

and Page 1 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN 4.

and ii.[2.]Anii.[2.] An appropriate alternate assessment has been selected for the student based upon a modified curriculum and an Page 2 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN individualized course of study;

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY b.

Page 3 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN The board shall create a statewide student identification numbering system based on students' Social Security numbers.

This Page 4 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN evidence shall be submitted to the school no later than January 1 of the first year that a three (3), four (4), five (5), or six (6) year-old child is enrolled in a public school, public preschool, or Head Start program;

CHAPTER 15 3 (l) The fixing of holidays on which schools may be closed and special days to be observed, and the pay of teachers during absence because of sickness or quarantine or when the schools are closed because of quarantine;

and (p) The development and implementation of procedures, for all students who are Page 5 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN homeless children and youths as defined in 42 U.S.C.

Page 6 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN (3) Any public school that violates the provisions of KRS 158.854 shall be subject to a penalty to be assessed by the commissioner of education as follows:

and Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (3) Publish on the Department of Workforce Development's website the list of employers, organized by county, created under subsection (2) of this section.

(1) When a pupil in any public elementary school or any approved private or parochial school completes the prescribed elementary program of studies, he or she is entitled Page 7 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN to a certificate of completion signed by the teacher or teachers under whom the program was completed.

(b) A local school district may award a joint diploma with the Gatton Academy of Page 8 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN Mathematics and Science in Kentucky or the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics to any student who was enrolled in a district high school and completed his or her high school program at the respective academy.

(7) The Department of Education shall establish the requirements for a vocational Page 9 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN certificate of completion.

CHAPTER 15 5 Section 4.

(d) "Eligible program of study" means a program approved by the authority that leads to an industry-recognizedindustry- recognized certificate, diploma, or associate of applied Page 10 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN science degree in one (1) of Kentucky's top five (5) high-demand workforce sectors identified by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board and the Education and Labor Cabinet or a program of study in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program that leads to a credential, certificate, diploma, or degree;

For a student enrolled in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program, have received an alternate[alternative] high school diploma described in KRS 158.140(2)(b), or a modified high school diploma Page 11 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN under subsection (1)(e) of Section 1 of this Act, or have attended a Kentucky public high school and is a student with an intellectual disability as defined in 34 C.F.R.

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (f) Complete and submit a Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship application to the authority;

The maximum scholarship amount shall be the per credit hour in-in-state state tuition rate at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System multiplied by the number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled and Page 12 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN the fees charged to the student.

(9) (a) The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship fund is hereby created as a trust fund Page 13 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN in the State Treasury to be administered by the authority for the purpose of providing scholarships as described in this section.

CHAPTER 15 7 (a) 1.

or 3.[2.]Attended3.[2.] Attended a Kentucky public high school after June 30, 2008, and is a student with an intellectual disability as defined in 34 C.F.R.

and (b) One hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) for enrollment in less than six (6) Page 14 of 15 HB056220.100 - 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 562/EN hours in an academic term.

PageSigned 15by ofGovernor 15April HB056220.1003, -2026. 1793 - XXXX 3/31/2026 1:21 PM Engrossed

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version