House Bill 1302 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Gambill of the 15th, Seabaugh of the 34th, Wade of the 9th, Dubnik of the
29th, Erwin of the 32nd, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Titles 20, 34, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
education, labor and industrial relations, and state government, respectively, so as to provide
for the reconstitution of the Office of Student Achievement as the Office of Education and
Workforce Strategy; to provide for responsibilities of the Office of Education and Workforce
Strategy and the director of said office; to change the name of the High Demand
Apprenticeship Program to the Top State for Talent Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship
Program; to repeal provisions for the Alliance of Education Agency Heads; to repeal a sunset
date relative to accessing HOPE scholarship funds for dual enrollment students; to provide
for a combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan; to
provide for registered apprenticeship programs; to designate the Technical College System
of Georgia as the state apprenticeship agency for the State of Georgia and provide for related
authority and responsibilities; to revise various reporting requirements; to revise various
certification requirements; to revise various requirements for rules and regulations; to
establish and provide for the Education Data Governance Board; to remove references to the
Office of Workforce Development; to provide for definitions; to provide for conforming
changes; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and
for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Education and Workforce Strategy Act."
SECTION 2.
Titles 20, 34, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, labor
and industrial relations, and state government, respectively, are amended by replacing
"Office of Student Achievement" and "Office of Student Achievement's" with "Office of
Education and Workforce Strategy" and "Office of Education and Workforce Strategy's",
respectively, wherever the former phrases occur in said titles, except for subsection (a) of
Code Section 20-14-25, relating to creation, director, authority, seal, and administrative
assignment relative to the Office of Student Achievement.
SECTION 3.
Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, is amended in
Article 4 of Chapter 1, relating to the Council on Literacy, by revising subsections (d) and
(e) of Code Section 20-1-42, relating to membership, terms, cooperation, and Literacy
Coach, as follows:
"(d) <del>The Governor shall direct the Alliance of Education Agency Heads provided for in
Article 1 of Chapter 14 of this title to work with members of the council</del> <ins>Reserved.
</ins> (e) The council shall be attached for administrative purposes only to the Office of
<ins>Education and Workforce Strategy</ins> <del>Student Achievement.</del> The Office of <ins>Education and
Workforce Strategy</ins> <del>Student Achievement</del> shall provide staff support for the council and
shall hire an individual to serve as Georgia Literacy Coach who shall be responsible for
coordination of such staff support <del>and for working in coordination with the literacy related
efforts of the Alliance of Education Agency Heads.</del> The Office of <ins>Education and
</ins>
<ins>Workforce Strategy</ins> <del>Student Achievement</del> shall use any funds specifically appropriated to
support the work of the council for such purpose."
SECTION 4.
Said title is further amended in Part 4 of Article 6 of Chapter 2, relating to financing under
the "Quality Basic Education Act," by revising Code Section 20-2-161.4, relating to
accessing HOPE scholarship funds for dual enrolled students and reports, as follows:
"20-2-161.4.
<del>(a)(1)</del> Beginning July 1, 2023, each student participating in the Dual Enrollment program
provided for in Code Section 20-2-161.3 who is eligible for a HOPE grant pursuant to
Code Section 20-3-519.5 shall be allowed to access HOPE grant funds for eligible CTAE
courses, as defined in Code Section 20-2-161.3, irrespective of whether such student has
reached any maximum credit hour cap provided for in Code Section 20-2-161.3.
<ins>(2)(b)</ins> <del>For three years beginning on July 1, 2023, the</del> <ins>The</ins> Georgia Student Finance
Commission, in collaboration with the Technical College System of Georgia, shall collect
and report data on:
<del>(A)(1)</del> Student enrollment in and completion of at least one eligible CTAE course, as
defined in Code Section 20-2-161.3, as part of the Dual Enrollment program provided for
in Code Section 20-2-161.3;
<del>(B)(2)</del> HOPE grant funding and Dual Enrollment program funding, including, but not
limited to, the number of students who received such funding and the maximum, mean,
median, and mode amounts of such funding received by students;
<del>(C)(3)</del> Postsecondary credits earned by students who received such funding;
<del>(D)(4)</del> The number of students who enrolled in a postsecondary degree program after
completing a program of study that includes at least one eligible CTAE course, as defined
in Code Section 20-2-161.3, as part of the Dual Enrollment program provided for in Code
Section 20-2-161.3; and
<del>(E)(5)</del> The number of students employed in a high-demand field after completing a
focused program of study identified by the State Board of the Technical College System
of Georgia as part of the <del>High Demand</del> <ins>Top State for Talent Pre-Apprenticeship and
</ins> Apprenticeship Program provided for in <del>Code Section 20-4-152</del> <ins>Article 7 of Chapter 4
of this title.
(c)</ins> No later than January 1 each year, the Georgia Student Finance Commission shall
provide <del>an interim</del> <ins>the</ins> report <ins>required by subsection (b) of this Code section</ins> to the
Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
director of the Office of Planning and Budget, and the chairpersons of the House
Committee on Education, the Senate Education and Youth Committee, the House
Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Higher Education Committee. <del>A final
report shall be provided to the same no later than December 1, 2028.
(3)(d)</del> The Georgia Student Finance Commission, in consultation with the State Board of
Education, <ins>and</ins> the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, <del>and the Office
of Workforce Development,</del> shall establish rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this <del>subsection</del> <ins>Code section.
</ins> <del>(b) This Code section shall stand repealed on June 30, 2028."
</del> SECTION 5.
Said title is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 20-2-169, relating to
receipt of federal funds for career, occupational, or technical education, as follows:
"20-2-169.
<ins>(a)</ins> The Department of Education is designated as the sole state agency to receive federal
funds allotted to Georgia under acts of Congress appropriating federal funds for career,
occupational, or technical education; provided, however, <ins>that</ins> those funds appropriated for
the operation and management of postsecondary technical, adult, and industrial programs
shall be placed under the jurisdiction and control of the State Board of the Technical
College System of Georgia; provided, further, <ins>that</ins> a proportionate share of those federal
funds appropriated for planning, evaluation, program improvement, and other
administrative and discretionary purposes shall be placed under the jurisdiction and control
of such board.
<ins>(b) The Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia, with
assistance from the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy, shall prepare a combined
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan in accordance with
federal law.
(c) The combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan
shall include:
(1) The incorporation of coordinated data from comprehensive local needs assessments
to align secondary, postsecondary, and adult workforce training programs with regional
labor market requirements and federal compliance standards for the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan;
(2) The implementation of guidance from the United States Department of Labor and
United States Department of Education that recommends formal input from key
stakeholders, including, but not limited to:
(A) Local workforce development boards and secondary and postsecondary
educational institutions;
(B) Private sector employers and industry representatives; and
(C) Community based organizations and regional economic development entities; and
(3) The incorporation of additional coordinated efforts required by guidance from the
United States Department of Labor and United States Department of Education to ensure
the state remains eligible for federal funding, including the synchronization of
performance accountability measures and the streamlining of service delivery.
(d) The combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan
required by this Code section and any amendments thereto shall be approved by the State
</ins>
<ins>Workforce Development Board, submitted to the Governor, and distributed to the public
as required by federal law.
(e) Nothing in this Code section shall prohibit the Department of Education or the
Technical College System of Georgia from consulting its respective boards for the purpose
of preparing the combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins
State Plan as provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section."
</ins> SECTION 6.
Said title is further amended in Part 11 of said article, relating to regional educational service
agencies, by revising subsections (a) and (b) of Code Section 20-2-271, relating to
development of regional improvement plan, introduction of core services, instructional care
teams, and establishment of alternative methods of teacher certification, as follows:
"(a) Each regional educational service agency shall annually develop and submit to the
Department of Education for approval, with a copy to the <del>Alliance of Education Agency
Heads</del> <ins>Office of Education and Workforce Strategy,</ins> a regional plan for improvement of
educational efficiency and cost effectiveness of its member institutions. Each plan must
include the purposes and description of the services the regional educational service agency
will provide to schools identified as low-performing based on the indicators adopted under
Code Section 20-14-33 and to other schools.
(b) Each regional educational service agency shall introduce and provide core services for
member local school systems and schools and provide core services for purchase by local
school systems and schools which are not members of that regional educational service
agency. These core services shall include the following:
(1) Training and assistance in teaching each subject area assessed under Code
Section 20-2-281;
(2) Assistance specifically designed for any school that is rated academically failing
under Code Section 20-14-33;
(3) Training and assistance to teachers, administrators, members of local boards of
education, and members of local school councils on school-based decision making and
control; and
(4) Assistance in complying with applicable state laws and rules of the State Board of
Education <del>and the Alliance of Education Agency Heads.
</del> Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to limit the freedom of a school system or
school to purchase or refuse to purchase any core service from any regional educational
service agency in this state."
SECTION 7.
Said title is further amended in Part 15 of said article, relating to miscellaneous provisions
under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by revising subsections (a), (b), and (c) of Code
Section 20-2-320, relating to state-wide comprehensive educational information system and
identification of data to implement Quality Basic Education Program, as follows:
"(a) There shall be a state-wide comprehensive educational information system which will
provide for the accurate, seamless, and timely flow of information from local and regional
education agencies, units of the University System of Georgia, and technical schools and
colleges to the state. The system design shall include hardware, software, data, collection
methods and times, training, maintenance, communications, security of data, and
installation specifications and any other relevant specifications needed for the successful
implementation of the system. The state-wide comprehensive educational information
system shall not use a student's social security number or an employee's social security
number in violation of state or federal law to identify a student or employee. Upon
approval of the boards of the respective education agencies, such boards shall issue
appropriate requests for proposals to implement a state-wide comprehensive educational
information system, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. The boards of the
respective education agencies, <del>at the direction of the Alliance of Education Agency Heads,
</del>
shall initiate contracts with appropriate vendors and local units of administration for the
procurement of services, purchase of hardware and software, and for any other <ins>purposes
upon the recommendation of the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy</ins> <del>purpose as
directed by the Alliance of Education Agency Heads,</del> consistent with appropriation by the
General Assembly.
(b) The State Board of Education, the State Board of the Technical College System of
Georgia, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and the Department
of Early Care and Learning shall require an individual student record for each student
enrolled which at a minimum includes the data specifications <del>approved</del> <ins>recommended</ins> by
the <ins>Office of Education and Workforce Strategy</ins> <del>Alliance of Education Agency Heads.</del> The
Professional Standards Commission shall maintain an individual data record for each
certificated person employed in a public school.
(c) For the purpose of this article, authorized educational agencies shall be the Department
of Education; the Department of Early Care and Learning; the Board of Regents of the
University System of Georgia; the Technical College System of Georgia; <del>the Alliance of
Education Agency Heads;</del> the Professional Standards Commission; the Office of <ins>Education
and Workforce Strategy</ins> <del>Student Achievement;</del> the education policy and research
components of the office of the Governor; the Office of Planning and Budget; the Senate
Budget and Evaluation Office; and the House Budget and Research Office. Any
information collected over the state-wide comprehensive educational information system,
including individual student records and individual personnel records, shall be accessible
by authorized educational agencies, provided that any information which is planned for
collection over the system but which is temporarily being collected by other means shall
also be accessible by authorized educational agencies and provided, further, that adequate
security provisions are employed to protect the privacy of individuals. All data maintained
for this system shall be used for educational purposes only. In no case shall information
be released by an authorized educational agency which would violate the privacy rights of
any individual student or employee. Information released by an authorized educational
agency in violation of the privacy rights of any individual student or employee shall subject
the authorized educational agency to all penalties under applicable state and federal law.
Any information collected over the state-wide comprehensive educational information
system which is not stored in an individual student or personnel record format shall be
made available to the Governor and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the
House Committee on Education, the Senate Education and Youth Committee, the House
Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Higher Education Committee, except
information otherwise prohibited by statute. Data which are included in an individual
student record or individual personnel record format shall be extracted from such records
and made available in nonindividual record format for use by the Governor, committees
of the General Assembly, and agencies other than authorized educational agencies."
SECTION 8.
Said title is further amended in Part 16 of said article, relating to college and career readiness
under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by revising paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of Code
Section 20-2-327, relating to recognition of advanced proficiency/honors courses and
counseling and development of individual college and career plans, as follows:
"(3) <ins>No later than December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter, the</ins> <del>The</del> Georgia Student
Finance Commission and the Department of Education shall annually collect and report
on information to verify compliance with this Code section. <ins>The report shall include the
percentage of students in ninth grade who create a GAfutures.org account and students
in grades ten through 12 who utilize a GAfutures.org account and be distributed to the
Office of Planning and Budget and the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy. The
report shall be included in the state-wide education and workforce plan provided for in
Code Section 20-14-29.2."
</ins>
SECTION 9.
Said title is further amended in said part by revising subsection (b) of Code Section
20-2-327.1, relating to industry credentialing for career, technical, and agricultural education
programs and reporting, as follows:
"(b) No later than December 31, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Department of
Education, <ins>in coordination with the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy,</ins> shall
produce a return-on-investment report to the State Workforce Development Board and the
Office of Planning and Budget as related to grant funds provided for in subsection (j) <ins>of
</ins> Code Section 20-2-260. Such report shall include the current and projected regional
business and industry needs for the purpose of establishing annual goals and strategies to
increase attainment rates of industry credentialing, including the development of additional
industry credentials to enhance current industry certified programs."
SECTION 10.
Said title is further amended in Article 2 of Chapter 4, relating to technical and adult
education, by adding a new subsection to Code Section 20-4-17, relating to agencies to
receive federal funds and transfer of personnel to Department of Technical and Adult
Education, now known as Technical College System of Georgia, to read as follows:
<ins>"(c)(1) The Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia, with
assistance from the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy, shall prepare a
combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan in
accordance with federal law.
(2) The combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State
Plan shall include:
(A) The incorporation of coordinated data from comprehensive local needs
assessments to align secondary, postsecondary, and adult workforce training programs
</ins>
<ins>with regional labor market requirements and federal compliance standards for the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan;
(B) The implementation of guidance from the United States Department of Labor and
United States Department of Education that recommends formal input from key
stakeholders, including, but not limited to:
(i) Local workforce development boards and secondary and postsecondary
educational institutions;
(ii) Private sector employers and industry representatives; and
(iii) Community based organizations and regional economic development entities;
and
(C) The incorporation of additional coordinated efforts required by guidance from the
United States Department of Labor and United States Department of Education to
ensure the state remains eligible for federal funding, including the synchronization of
performance accountability measures and the streamlining of service delivery.
(3) The combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State
Plan required by this subsection and any amendments thereto shall be approved by the
State Workforce Development Board, submitted to the Governor, and distributed to the
public as required by federal law.
(4) Nothing in this Code section shall prohibit the Department of Education or the
Technical College System of Georgia from consulting its respective boards for the
purpose of preparing the combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and
Perkins State Plan as provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section."
</ins> SECTION 11.
Said title is further amended in said article by replacing "work force" with "workforce" each
time the term appears in and by revising subsections (a), (c), and (g) of Code
Section 20-4-37, relating to the Office of College and Career Transitions and powers and
duties, as follows:
"(a)(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to:
(A) Increase high school graduation rates, potential job opportunities, and educational
opportunities that will prepare students for success in college and the workplace;
(B) Establish intergovernmental cooperation between postsecondary institutions and
local boards of education and collaboration with business, industry, and community
stakeholders to aid relevant education programs <ins>informed by the High-Demand Career
List as provided in Code Section 34-14-3</ins> and in the development and support of new
and existing college and career academies in Georgia;
(C) Assist in the development of academic and career ready curriculum;
(D) Establish and manage support grant opportunities and awards for new and existing
college and career academies;
(E) Establish a process that allows for college and career academy certification; and
(F) Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of dual credit and dual
enrollment programs, secondary and postsecondary partnerships, and college and career
<del>academics</del> <ins>academies.
</ins> (2) The General Assembly finds that to accomplish these goals an office should be
established to coordinate the efforts of the various education agencies."
"(c) The Office of College and Career Academies shall be established within the Technical
College System of Georgia to coordinate the efforts by <ins>the Office of Education and
Workforce Strategy,</ins> the State Board of Education, the University System of Georgia, the
Technical College System of Georgia, and other not for profit postsecondary institutions
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in the professional
development, curriculum support, and development and establishment of college and career
academies."
"(g)(1) The office shall establish a certification process, in collaboration with the
Department of Education, for approval by the board. The office shall be authorized to
certify college and career academies. The State Board of Education shall accept
certification by the office as one component of determining compliance with charter and
strategic waivers school system or charter system contract requirements. The State Board
of Education may request supplemental information from charter petitioners, strategic
waivers school systems, or charter systems.
(2) Any certification process established pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection
shall require that the applicant demonstrates how the proposed <ins>or existing</ins> college and
career academy will increase student achievement and technical skill attainment, provide
for dual credit and dual enrollment opportunities, increase work based learning
opportunities, and address <del>work force</del> <ins>workforce</ins> development needs; articulates how the
collaboration between business, industry, and community stakeholders will advance <del>work
force</del> <ins>workforce</ins> development; demonstrates local governance and autonomy; and shows
other benefits that meet the needs of the students and community. <ins>The applicant shall
also demonstrate, as applicable, how the proposed or existing college and career
academy's use of the Accelerated Career Diploma Program, the Top State For Talent
Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Program, and the High-Demand Career List as
provided in Code Section 34-14-3, specific to its region, will increase workforce
readiness.
</ins> (3) Certification by the office shall constitute a positive recommendation to the State
Board of Education for renewal of a charter school or charter system pursuant to Code
Section 20-2-2064.1 or an extension of a strategic waivers school system contract
pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 2 of this title. <ins>A copy of the certification report shall be
provided to the State Board of Education by the office in order to communicate the
certification status of the applicant."
</ins>
SECTION 12.
Said title is further amended in Article 7 of said chapter, relating to the high demand
apprenticeship program, by revising Code Section 20-4-150, relating to definitions, as
follows:
"20-4-150.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Apprentice' means <ins>an individual at least 15 years of age, except where a higher
minimum age standard is otherwise set by law, who is employed to learn an occupation
in a registered apprenticeship program.</ins> <del>a person who is at least 15 years of age, except
where a higher minimum age is required by law, who is employed in an eligible
apprenticeable occupation, and is registered in Georgia with the United States
Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
</del> (2) 'Apprenticeable occupation' means an occupation approved for apprenticeship by the
United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
<del>(3) 'Apprenticeship program' means a program registered with the United States
Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship that includes terms and conditions for the
qualification, recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices, including
the requirement for a written apprenticeship agreement.
(4)(3)</del> 'Apprenticeship sponsor' means:
(A) Any entity operating an apprenticeship program; or
(B) Any entity in whose name an apprenticeship program is being operated that is
registered with or approved by the United States Department of Labor Office of
Apprenticeship.
<del>(5)(4)</del> 'Board' means the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.
(6)(5) 'Eligible apprenticeable occupation' means an apprenticeable occupation identified
by the State Workforce Development Board pursuant to Code Section 34-14-3 as a
high-demand career.
<del>(7)(6)</del> 'Employer sponsor' means an employer that coordinates with or is an
apprenticeship sponsor and employs and trains an apprentice.
<del>(8) 'Office of Workforce Development' means the Technical College System of Georgia's
Office of Workforce Development.
</del> <ins>(7) ‘Pre-apprentice' means an individual at least 15 years of age, except where a higher
minimum age standard is otherwise set by law, who is employed to learn an occupation
in a registered pre-apprenticeship program, who is enrolled in a public school work based
learning program, and who is pursuing a technical college certificate from a unit of the
Technical College System of Georgia that is aligned with a registered apprenticeship
program.
(8) 'Registered apprenticeship program' or 'apprenticeship program' means an
apprenticeship program registered in accordance with 29 C.F.R. Sections 29 and 30 that
possesses an approved plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification,
recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices, as required under federal
law, including matters such as the requirement for a written apprenticeship agreement.
(9) 'Registered pre-apprenticeship program' or 'pre-apprenticeship program' means a
pre-apprenticeship program approved by the Technical College System of Georgia that
possesses an approved plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification,
recruitment, selection, employment, and training of pre-apprentices, including matters
such as the requirement for a written pre-apprenticeship agreement."
</ins> SECTION 13.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising Code Section 20-4-151, relating to
purpose, employer or apprenticeship sponsorships, required information, contracts, awards,
and limitations, as follows:
"20-4-151.
(a) Subject to appropriations of funds by the General Assembly for this purpose, the board,
in coordination with the <del>Department of Labor, the Department of Economic Development,
the Department of Education,</del> <ins>Office of Education and Workforce Strategy</ins> and the Office
of Planning and Budget, shall establish and administer a program through the <del>Office of
Workforce Development</del> <ins>Technical College System of Georgia</ins> to be called the <del>High
Demand Apprenticeship Program</del> <ins>Top State for Talent Pre-Apprenticeship and
Apprenticeship Program.</ins> The purpose of the <del>High Demand</del> <ins>Top State for Talent
Pre-Apprenticeship and</ins> Apprenticeship Program is to incentivize <ins>pre-apprenticeship and
</ins> apprenticeship sponsors to establish new or grow existing registered <ins>pre-apprenticeship and
</ins> apprenticeship programs in Georgia in order to support the growth of <ins>pre-apprenticeship
or</ins> apprenticeship programs and expand high-quality work based learning experiences in
high-demand fields and careers for persons in Georgia <ins>to increase program utilization.
</ins> (b) An employer sponsor or <ins>pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship sponsor may apply to the
board for the opportunity to enter into a contract to perform the requirements of conducting
<del>an</del> <ins>a pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship program for a specific apprentice. Such contract
shall require the employer sponsor's apprentice, <ins>pre-apprenticeship,</ins> or apprenticeship
sponsor's apprentice to successfully complete <del>an</del> <ins>a pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship
program.
(c) The board shall provide upon request and on the Technical College System of
Georgia's public website information about the <del>High Demand</del> <ins>Top State for Talent
Pre-Apprenticeship and</ins> Apprenticeship Program, the application, application instructions,
and the application period established each year for contracts for services available under
such program.
(d) Upon successful completion of the requirements of a contract under this article, the
board shall provide a contract completion award to the employer sponsor or
<ins>pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship sponsor. The contract completion award amount shall
be determined based on the number of hours of education and training required for the
successful completion of the <ins>pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship under such
<ins>pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship program but shall not exceed:
(1) Ten thousand dollars per apprentice for contracts entered into before July 1, 2024;
and
(2) Five thousand dollars per apprentice for contracts entered into on or after July 1,
2024.
(e) Each employer sponsor or <ins>pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship sponsor shall only be
eligible to enter into contracts under this article for up to:
(1) Five <ins>pre-apprentices or</ins> apprentices per year through the end of Fiscal Year 2024; and
(2) Ten <ins>pre-apprentices or</ins> apprentices per year beginning with Fiscal Year 2025 and
continuing each fiscal year thereafter.
(f) <del>An</del> <ins>A pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship sponsor may assist with the application for
and completion of <del>an</del> <ins>a pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship contract authorized by this
article.
(g) Beginning July 1, 2024, and continuing thereafter, the <del>Office of Workforce
Development</del> <ins>Technical College System of Georgia</ins> shall be authorized to:
(1) Provide initial funding for up to $2,500.00 per apprentice of the amount provided for
in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of this Code section; and
(2) Provide funding to award employer sponsors or apprenticeship sponsors up to
$2,500.00 per apprentice 12 months after the start of his or her pre-apprenticeship or
apprenticeship."
SECTION 14.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising Code Section 20-4-152, relating to
utilization of the High-demand Career List, as follows:
"20-4-152.
The board <del>and the Office of Workforce Development</del> shall utilize the <del>High-demand
</del> <ins>High-Demand</ins> Career List <ins>as</ins> provided <del>for</del> in Code Section 34-14-3 for purposes of the
<del>High Demand</del> <ins>Top State for Talent Pre-Apprenticeship and</ins> Apprenticeship Program."
SECTION 15.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising Code Section 20-4-153, relating to
annual reporting and cooperation from apprenticeship sponsor, as follows:
"20-4-153.
(a) The <del>Office of Workforce Development</del> <ins>Technical College System of Georgia</ins> shall
annually report on its website the following information:
(1) The total amount of compensation awarded under this article;
(2) The amount of compensation awarded in each field of high-demand careers identified
by the State Workforce Development Board pursuant to Code Section 34-14-3;
(3) The total number of contracts entered into and the number of contracts completed;
(4) The total number of contracts entered per eligible occupation and the number of those
completed;
(5) The total amount awarded overall with respect to each eligible occupation;
(6) The total number of <ins>pre-apprentices or</ins> apprentices who attended an institution of the
Technical College System of Georgia during the course of his or her <ins>pre-apprenticeship
or</ins> apprenticeship program; and
(7) The total number of apprentices who did not attend an institution of the Technical
College System of Georgia during the course of his or her <ins>pre-apprenticeship or
</ins> apprenticeship program.
(b) Each <ins>pre-apprenticeship and</ins> apprenticeship sponsor shall fully cooperate in providing
statistical information requested by the board or, at the board's discretion, be excluded from
participating in the <del>High Demand</del> <ins>Top State for Talent Pre-Apprenticeship and
</ins> Apprenticeship Program."
SECTION 16.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising Code Section 20-4-154, relating to
rules and regulations, as follows:
"20-4-154.
The board shall adopt rules and regulations deemed necessary for the implementation and
administration of this article, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, rules and
regulations for:
(1) Establishing a staff review and application approval process;
<ins>(2) Establishing an amount of funding that will place priority on the availability of
awards for the pre-apprenticeship program established by this article;
</ins> <del>(2)(3)</del> Application scoring criteria that shall include provisions that give priority to
<ins>pre-apprenticeship or</ins> apprenticeship programs that hire and train apprentices who are:
(A) <del>Between 15 and 21 years of age</del> <ins>Fifteen years of age or older in any public school
work based learning program;</ins> or
(B) Enrolled in an adult education program and engaged in obtaining a high school
diploma;
<del>(3)(4)</del> The minimum score necessary for approval of a contract; and
<del>(4)(5)</del> The terms of agreement between an employer sponsor or <ins>pre-apprenticeship or
</ins> apprenticeship sponsor and the board."
SECTION 17.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising Code Section 20-4-156, relating to
repealer, as follows:
"20-4-156.
This article shall stand repealed <ins>and reserved</ins> on July 1, <del>2027</del> <ins>2031."
</ins> SECTION 18.
Said title is further amended in Article 8 of said chapter, relating to the public service
apprenticeship program, by revising Code Section 20-4-160, relating to definitions, as
follows:
"20-4-160.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Apprentice' means <ins>an individual at least 15 years of age, except where a higher
minimum age standard is otherwise set by law, who is employed to learn an occupation
in a registered apprenticeship program.</ins> <del>a person who is at least 15 years of age, except
where a higher minimum age is required by law, who is employed in an eligible
apprenticeable occupation, and is registered in Georgia with the United States
Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
</del> (2) 'Apprenticeable occupation' means an occupation approved for apprenticeship by the
United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
<del>(3) 'Apprenticeship program' means a program registered with the United States
Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship that includes terms and conditions for the
qualification, recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices, including
the requirement for a written apprenticeship agreement.
(4)(3)</del> 'Apprenticeship sponsor' means:
(A) Any entity operating an apprenticeship program; or
(B) Any entity in whose name an apprenticeship program is being operated that is
registered with or approved by the United States Department of Labor Office of
Apprenticeship.
<del>(5)(4)</del> 'Board' means the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.
<del>(6)(5)</del> 'Eligible apprenticeable occupation' means an apprenticeable occupation identified
by the <ins>State Workforce Development Board pursuant to Code Section 34-14-3 as a
high-demand career</ins> <del>Office of Workforce Development pursuant to Code Section
20-4-152 as a high-demand job.
(7) 'Office of Workforce Development' means the Technical College System of Georgia's
Office of Workforce Development.
(8)(6)</del> 'Public service sponsor' means a state or local government entity that coordinates
with or is an apprenticeship sponsor and employs and trains an apprentice.
<ins>(7) ‘Pre-apprentice' means an individual at least 15 years of age, except where a higher
minimum age standard is otherwise set by law, who is employed to learn an occupation
in a registered pre-apprenticeship program, who is enrolled in a public school work based
learning program, and who is pursuing a technical college certificate from a unit of the
Technical College System of Georgia that is aligned with a registered apprenticeship
program.
(8) 'Registered apprenticeship program' or 'apprenticeship program' means an
apprenticeship program registered in accordance with 29 C.F.R. Sections 29 and 30 that
possesses an approved plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification,
recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices, as required under federal
law, including matters such as the requirement for a written apprenticeship agreement.
(9) 'Registered pre-apprenticeship program' or 'pre-apprenticeship program' means a
pre-apprenticeship program approved by the Technical College System of Georgia that
possesses an approved plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification,
recruitment, selection, employment, and training of pre-apprentices, including matters
such as the requirement for a written pre-apprenticeship agreement."
</ins> SECTION 19.
Said title is further amended in said chapter by adding a new article to read as follows:
<ins>"ARTICLE 10
20-4-200.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Apprentice' means an individual at least 15 years of age, except where a higher
minimum age standard is otherwise set by law, who is employed to learn an occupation
in a registered apprenticeship program.
(2) 'Apprenticeship agreement' means a written agreement between an apprentice and
either the apprentice's program sponsor or an apprenticeship committee acting as an agent
for the program sponsor, which contains the terms and conditions of the employment and
training of the apprentice and which complies with the provisions of 29 C.F.R.
Section 29.7.
(3) 'Board' means the State Workforce Development Board.
(4) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of the Technical College System of
Georgia.
(5) 'Pre-apprentice' means an individual at least 15 years of age, except where a higher
minimum age standard is otherwise set by law, who is employed to learn an occupation
in a registered pre-apprenticeship program, who is enrolled in a public school work based
learning program, and who is pursuing a technical college certificate from a unit of the
Technical College System of Georgia that is aligned with a registered apprenticeship
program.
(6) 'Registered apprenticeship program' or 'apprenticeship program' means an
apprenticeship program registered in accordance with 29 C.F.R. Sections 29 and 30 that
possesses an approved plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification,
recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices, as required under federal
law, including matters such as the requirement for a written apprenticeship agreement.
</ins>
<ins>(7) 'Registered pre-apprenticeship program' or 'pre-apprenticeship program' means a
pre-apprenticeship program approved by the Technical College System of Georgia that
possesses an approved plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification,
recruitment, selection, employment, and training of pre-apprentices, including matters
such as the requirement for a written pre-apprenticeship agreement.
(8) 'Secretary' means the United States Secretary of Labor.
(9) 'Sponsor' means any employer, employer association, labor organization, joint
labor-management organization, or other entity that operates or seeks to operate a
registered apprenticeship program.
(10) 'State apprenticeship agency' or 'registration agency' means a state apprenticeship
agency recognized by the United States Department of Labor and responsible for carrying
out the duties and powers of such agency pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Section 29.13 within this
state.
20-4-201.
(a) The Technical College System of Georgia is hereby designated as the state
apprenticeship agency for the state.
(b) The Technical College System of Georgia shall be responsible for carrying out all
duties and responsibilities of a registration agency as provided under Part 29 of Subtitle A
of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, subject to approval and ongoing oversight
by the United States Department of Labor.
(c) The commissioner shall submit to the Secretary and the administrator of the United
States Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship, in accordance with 29 C.F.R.
Section 29.13, an application to recognize the Technical College System of Georgia as a
state apprenticeship agency.
(d) Upon approval by the Secretary, the Technical College System of Georgia shall have
the authority within the state to:
</ins>
<ins>(1) Advance the establishment and growth of registered apprenticeship programs and
foster enrollment in apprenticeship programs by providing technical and compliance
assistance to sponsors, apprentices, employers, and apprenticeship programs;
(2) Register, oversee, and, when necessary, deregister registered apprenticeship programs
and related apprenticeship agreements;
(3) Issue recognized certificates of registration and completion;
(4) Serve as the primary state level point of contact with the United States Department
of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship;
(5) Develop and maintain a state policy of reciprocity with other states to ensure
registration of apprenticeship programs;
(6) Ensure compliance with federal and state apprenticeship standards; and
(7) Perform such other functions as required of a registration agency under federal law.
20-4-202.
Consistent with Part 29 of Subtitle A of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the
Technical College System of Georgia as a state apprenticeship agency shall have the power
and duty to:
(1) Adopt, promulgate, and enforce rules and regulations necessary to implement this
article;
(2) Establish apprenticeship standards governing program registration, operation,
completion, suspension, and deregistration;
(3) Conduct program reviews, quality assurance assessments, monitoring, and
compliance investigations;
(4) Receive, investigate, and resolve complaints relating to registered apprenticeship
programs;
(5) Collect and report data required by the United States Department of Labor and the
General Assembly;
</ins>
<ins>(6) Ensure that the registration of apprenticeship programs occurs only in occupations
provided in 29 C.F.R. Section 29.4, and in coordination with the state's High-Demand
Career List as provided in Code Section 34-14-3;
(7) Develop a nationally recognized state apprenticeship completion credential, as
described in 29 C.F.R. Section 29.5, for completing an apprenticeship program registered
with the Technical College System of Georgia;
(8) Provide technical assistance and guidance to current and prospective program
sponsors; and
(9) Coordinate apprenticeship activities with the board and local workforce development
areas as provided in Code Section 34-14-2, technical colleges, the Department of Labor,
the Department of Education, sponsors, registered apprenticeship programs, and other
relevant partners.
20-4-203.
The board shall serve as an adviser to the Technical College System of Georgia on matters
related to registered apprenticeship programs, without limiting or superseding the authority
of the Technical College System of Georgia as the registration agency.
20-4-204.
(a) This article shall be administered in a manner fully consistent with Part 29 of
Subtitle A of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations and any other applicable federal
law or regulation governing registered apprenticeship.
(b) In the event of a conflict between this article and federal law or regulation, federal law
or regulation shall control to the extent of such conflict.
</ins>
<ins>20-4-205.
(a) Upon recognition of the Technical College System of Georgia by the United States
Department of Labor as the state apprenticeship agency, all registered apprenticeship
programs operating in Georgia shall be reported to the Technical College System of
Georgia in accordance with a transition plan submitted by the commissioner and approved
by the Secretary.
(b) The state apprenticeship agency shall ensure continuity of registration and minimize
disruption to sponsors and apprentices during the transition."
</ins> SECTION 20.
Said title is further amended in Chapter 14, relating to education accountability, by repealing
and reserving Article 1, relating to Alliance of Education Agency Heads.
SECTION 21.
Said title is further amended in Part 1 of Article 2 of said chapter by revising Code Section
20-14-20, relating to definitions relative to education accountability assessment programs,
as follows:
"20-14-20.
As used in this article, the term:
<del>(1) 'Alliance' means the Alliance of Education Agency Heads created in Article 1 of this
chapter.
(2)(1)</del> 'Board of regents' means the Board of Regents of the University System of
Georgia.
<del>(3)(2)</del> 'Director' means the director of the Office of <del>Student Achievement</del> <ins>Education and
Workforce Strategy or, alternatively, the executive director of the Office of Education
and Workforce Strategy if the individual selected to serve as director is designated with
the title of executive director by the Governor.
</ins>
<del>(4)(3)</del> 'Early intervention program' means the program established under Code Section
20-2-153.
<del>(5)(4)</del> 'Office' means the Office of <del>Student Achievement</del> <ins>Education and Workforce
Strategy."
</ins> SECTION 22.
Said title is further amended in Part 2 of said article, relating to the Office of Student
Achievement, by revising Code Section 20-14-25, relating to creation, director, authority,
seal, and administrative assignment, as follows:
"20-14-25.
(a) <del>There is created</del> <ins>Effective July 1, 2026,</ins> the Office of Student Achievement <ins>shall be
reconstituted as the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy and shall retain all duties,
responsibilities, functions, powers, and authority conferred upon the Office of Student
Achievement as provided by law in effect on June 30, 2026.
</ins> (b) The <del>chief administrative and executive officer of the office shall be the</del> director, <del>who
</del> shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. <ins>As directed
by the Governor, the director shall coordinate the efforts of all state agencies and relevant
entities engaged in activities related to education, student achievement, talent development,
and workforce preparedness throughout the state.</ins> <del>Subject to the general policy established
by the Alliance of Education Agency Heads, the</del> The director shall be responsible for the
performance and exercise of the duties, responsibilities, functions, powers, and authority
<del>imposed</del> <ins>conferred</ins> upon the director and the office as provided by law. The director shall
receive a salary to be determined by the Governor.
(c) The director shall have the authority to employ all personnel of the office, subject to
the provisions of this part and all applicable provisions of other laws governing public
employment.
(d) The office may adopt a seal for its use and shall be authorized to enter into contracts
to fulfill its duties under this article.
(e) The office shall be assigned for administrative purposes only, as that term is defined
in Code Section 50-4-3, to the Office of Planning and Budget."
SECTION 23.
Said title is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 20-14-26, relating to
duties, as follows:
"20-14-26.
(a) The office shall have the following duties:
(1) To create a single state-wide accountability system, establish indicators of
performance, rate schools and school systems, develop annual report cards for
elementary, middle, and secondary schools, and formulate a system of school awards and
interventions. The State Board of Education shall approve a single accountability system
for local schools and school systems that incorporates federal law, rules, and regulations
relating to accountability;
(2) To audit and inspect or cause to be audited or inspected for the purpose of
verification, research, analysis, reporting, or for other purposes related to the performance
of its powers and duties as provided in this article and for the purposes of auditing
pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle grades, and secondary education, postsecondary
education, and education <del>work force</del> <ins>workforce</ins> programs and schools, local school
systems, institutes, colleges, universities, regional educational service agencies, and other
public education programs and entities as <del>defined by the alliance</del> <ins>determined by the
director;
</ins> (3) <del>To serve as staff to the alliance; and</del> <ins>To oversee the cross-agency development of a
comprehensive state-wide education and workforce plan as provided in Code Section
20-14-29.2;
</ins>
(4) <del>To exercise the powers and discharge duties of the alliance, as set forth in Code
Section 20-14-8, under the supervision and oversight of the alliance.</del> <ins>To assist the
Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia with creating the
combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan as
provided for in Code Sections 20-2-169 and 20-4-17; and
(5) To create the navigation tool as provided in Code Section 20-14-29.3.
</ins> (b) The <del>member agencies of the alliance and other</del> <ins>executive branch education and
workforce development</ins> departments, boards, and offices of this state shall cooperate fully
with the office and shall provide the office with all information <del>that the alliance deems
</del> necessary for the office to discharge its accountability duties under this article regarding
the education programs and units governed by such <del>member agencies or other</del> departments,
boards, or offices. <ins>These agencies shall share or integrate existing agency data and
technology systems to the extent permitted by state and federal law to improve alignment
and coordination and reduce duplication of efforts.
(c) The office shall convene and oversee regular meetings with the agencies provided for
in subsection (b) of this Code section for the purpose of ensuring effective collaboration,
data sharing, and alignment of duties required under this Code section."
</ins> SECTION 24.
Said title is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 20-14-27, relating to
required reports and publication format, as follows:
"20-14-27.
(a) The office shall <del>submit</del> <ins>prepare</ins> the following reports <del>to the alliance:
</del> (1) An annual report regarding pre-kindergarten education shall be submitted no later
than December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2002. The pre-kindergarten
report shall be an evaluation of the progress made on performance indicators identified
and defined by the office <del>and approved by the alliance</del> for all pre-kindergarten and child
care programs under the administrative control of the Department of Early Care and
Learning. The pre-kindergarten report shall include information concerning results of the
state's investment in each pre-kindergarten program;
(2) An annual report regarding elementary and secondary education shall be submitted
no later than December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2001. The elementary
and secondary education report shall be an evaluation of the progress made on
performance indicators identified and defined by the office <del>and approved by the alliance
</del> for all elementary and secondary education programs administered by the Department of
Education. The elementary and secondary education report shall include information
concerning results of the state's investment in each public school and each public school
system;
(3) An annual report regarding postsecondary education shall be submitted no later than
December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2002. The postsecondary education
report shall be an evaluation of the progress made on performance indicators identified
and defined by the office <del>and approved by the alliance</del> for all universities, colleges,
institutes, and schools in the University System of Georgia and under the governance of
the Technical College System of Georgia. The postsecondary education report shall
include information concerning results of the state's investment in each university,
college, institute, and school; and
(4) An annual report regarding the Georgia education <del>work force</del> <ins>workforce</ins> shall be
submitted no later than December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2002. The
Georgia education <del>work force</del> <ins>workforce</ins> report shall be an evaluation of the progress
made on performance indicators identified and defined by the office <del>and approved by the
alliance</del> for the education <del>work force</del> <ins>workforce</ins> status under the administrative control
of the Professional Standards Commission. The Georgia education <del>work force</del> <ins>workforce
</ins> report shall contain information on the results of the state's investments in teacher
preparation, educators' professional development, education leadership development,
in-field teaching, geographic teacher shortages, alternative routes to teacher certification,
and other general information and indicators on the quality of the education <del>work force
</del> <ins>workforce.
</ins> (b) Each report provided for in this Code section shall be published in a format that can
be easily understood by parents and other members of the community who are not
professional educators. Such reports shall be distributed to the Governor,; Lieutenant
Governor,; the Speaker of the House of Representatives,; the chairpersons of the Higher
Education committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, the House Education
Committee, and the Senate Education and Youth Committee,; <ins>and</ins> members of the state
education governing boards or commissions, <del>and members of the alliance.</del> The office shall
not be required to distribute copies of such reports to the members of the General Assembly
but shall notify such members of the availability of the reports in the manner which it
deems to be most effective and efficient. In addition, such reports shall be posted on the
website of the office."
SECTION 25.
Said title is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"20-14-29.1.
(a) The office shall develop a report detailing the alignment of policies, programs, and
practices of the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, the University
System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Georgia Student
Finance Commission that promotes and advances the objectives of serving student needs,
avoiding duplication of mission, using state resources efficiently, and expanding
opportunities for postsecondary credential attainment.
(b) The office shall coordinate and collaborate with the Department of Education, the
University System of Georgia, and the Technical College System of Georgia to create the
report required by this Code section that shall include the following:
</ins>
<ins>(1) A list of the courses articulated from the State Board of Education to the University
System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, and each private
postsecondary institution that is an eligible postsecondary institution, as such term is
defined in Code Section 20-3-519;
(2) A list of the courses approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of
Georgia and the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to be
transferrable between institutions of the university system and units of the technical
college system;
(3) Of the courses listed as provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection, identification
of the university system baccalaureate degree program or programs for which each such
course has been approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
to be a degree prerequisite;
(4) Of the courses listed as provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection, identification
of the technical college system degree program or programs for which each such course
has been approved by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to be
a degree prerequisite;
(5) A summary of efforts undertaken by the Technical College System of Georgia in
collaboration with the University System of Georgia to reduce barriers to degree
completion by students who have earned course credits in the University System of
Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, or both;
(6) A list of the courses approved by each private postsecondary institution that is an
eligible postsecondary institution, as such term is defined in Code Section 20-3-519, and
the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to be transferrable between
units of such private postsecondary institution and the technical college system;
(7) A list of the courses approved by each private postsecondary institution that is an
eligible postsecondary institution, as such term is defined in Code Section 20-3-519, and
</ins>
<ins>the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to be transferrable between
units of such private postsecondary institution and the university system;
(8) A summary of efforts undertaken to develop plans and procedures for reverse
transfers. As used in this paragraph, the term "reverse transfer" means the process of
transferring the credits a student has earned from a four-year institution to any unit of the
Technical College System of Georgia from which a student has transferred so that such
credits will be available to such student for purposes of his or her enrollment in or
completion of programs offered by the Technical College System of Georgia;
(9) A summary of the efforts undertaken on behalf of the Technical College System of
Georgia, the University System of Georgia, and the State Board of Education to comply
with the requirements of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-4-20;
(10) A summary of efforts undertaken to align articulated, transferrable courses and
degree completion to the High-Demand Career List published by the State Workforce
Development Board as provided in Code Section 34-14-3, including the total number of
articulation agreements aligned to such list for the State Board of Education, the
University System of Georgia, and the Technical College System of Georgia;
(11) The number of students enrolled in programs of study provided for in subsection (a)
of Code Section 20-2-159.1 receiving articulated credit with the University System of
Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia and which credits those students
receive; and
(12) Of the articulation agreements listed as provided for in paragraph (1) of this
subsection, identification of the number of articulated credits awarded, which institutions
awarded which credits, and the local school system or public school represented by the
students who earned such credits.
(c) The report required by this Code section shall be included in the state-wide education
and workforce plan provided for in Code Section 20-14-29.2.
</ins>
<ins>(d) All relevant state agencies and educational institutions included in this process shall
cooperate in collecting and sharing data necessary for the preparation of the report required
by this Code section, subject to applicable privacy protections, within a predetermined time
frame as set by the data sharing agreement by the office."
</ins> SECTION 26.
Said title is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"20-14-29.2.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'participating agencies' means the Georgia
Student Finance Commission, the Technical College System of Georgia, the University
System of Georgia, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the State
Workforce Development Board.
(b) The office shall develop a state-wide education and workforce plan in collaboration
with the participating agencies and any other agencies necessary to support the plan's
creation. The plan shall include:
(1) The programs, initiatives, and activities supporting the Governor's education and
workforce priorities and those outlined in this article and in the combined Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan as provided for in Code
Sections 20-2-169 and 20-4-17;
(2) A report on the effectiveness of employment, wage attainment, and retention of
students in programs that align with the High-Demand Career List as provided in Code
Section 34-14-3 and the return on investment report as provided in Code Section 34-14-4;
(3) A comprehensive, updated collection of information on all educational and
occupational credentials that are granted, issued, funded, or governed by the state,
including, but not limited to, diplomas, certificates, certifications, microcredentials,
digital badges, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, licenses, and degrees of all types and
</ins>
<ins>levels. Such collection of information shall also identify those credentials that are aligned
to the High-Demand Career List as provided in Code Section 34-14-3; and
(4) The report provided for in Code Section 20-14-91.
(c) The time frame of the state-wide education and workforce plan shall coincide with the
time frame required by the combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and
Perkins State Plan as provided for in Code Sections 20-2-169 and 20-4-17.
(d) The office shall meet at least quarterly with the participating agencies and any other
agencies necessary to support the state-wide education and workforce plan's creation.
(e) Upon its completion, the state-wide education and workforce plan shall be presented
to the State Workforce Development Board for approval. Included in such presentation
shall be a report of progress made toward objectives included in the plan. Upon the plan's
approval by the State Workforce Development Board, the plan shall be submitted to the
Governor."
</ins> SECTION 27.
Said title is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"20-14-29.3.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'navigation tool' means a secure, user-friendly,
online platform that connects individuals with personalized academic and training
information, guidance, and resources provided by local public school systems, the
Technical College System of Georgia, the University System of Georgia, the Department
of Labor, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, and any other relevant entity.
(b) The office shall create a navigation tool for the purpose of assisting students, parents,
counselors, educators, and job seekers in identifying secondary, postsecondary, and
workforce training opportunities in this state.
(c) The navigation tool shall:
</ins>
<ins>(1) Be a comprehensive inventory of all state approved education and training assets in
this state;
(2) Provide clear guidance on programs of study, financial aid options, and credentialing
opportunities aligned with careers, including, but not limited to, those identified on the
High-Demand Career List as provided in Code Section 34-14-3;
(3) Utilize existing agency data and technology systems to the extent permitted by state
and federal law for the purpose of improving program coordination and reduce
duplication of efforts;
(4) Include annual updates and enhancements to ensure accuracy, accessibility, ease of
use, and continued alignment with evolving workforce needs; and
(5) Provide any other relevant guidance as needed.
(d) The Department of Education, the Technical College System of Georgia, the
University System of Georgia, the Department of Labor, and the Georgia Student Finance
Commission shall provide the office with such data, technical assistance, program
information, and promotion of user awareness as are necessary for the operation of the
navigation tool and the successful implementation of this Code section. Each agency may
designate a liaison to fulfill the requirements of this subsection if necessary.
(e) The agencies listed in subsection (d) of this Code section shall ensure that any relevant
technology systems or platforms used by the agency are compatible with, and capable of
integrating with, the navigation tool."
</ins> SECTION 28.
Said title is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"20-14-29.4.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'board' shall mean the Education Data
Governance Board.
</ins>
<ins>(b) There is created within the office an Education Data Governance Board for the purpose
of coordinating state-wide education data governance.
(c) The board shall be composed of the following agency heads, or their designees:
(1) The Office of Education and Workforce Strategy;
(2) The Department of Education;
(3) The State Charter Schools Commission;
(4) The Technical College System of Georgia;
(5) The University System of Georgia;
(6) The Georgia Student Finance Commission;
(7) The Department of Early Care and Learning;
(8) The Professional Standards Commission;
(9) The Office of Planning and Budget;
(10) The Department of Labor; and
(11) Such other agency or entity that the board deems necessary for data collection.
(d) The board shall serve as the primary interagency forum for the coordination and
governance of cross-agency education and workforce data systems, including, but not
limited to, the state-wide longitudinal data system, and interagency data sharing agreements
and memoranda of understanding that enable the lawful sharing and appropriate use of data
among such agencies. In addition, the board shall:
(1) Establish shared standards, roles and responsibilities, and best practices for the
collection, use, privacy, security, stewardship, and quality of education and workforce
data used across agencies;
(2) Develop and maintain policies and coordinated timelines for data quality standards,
validation protocols, and cross-agency data collection, cleaning, sharing, and availability
to ensure accurate and timely reporting for accountability, research, and policy analysis;
(3) Promote alignment of data definitions, reporting standards, and interoperability
across agency data systems, where appropriate;
</ins>
<ins>(4) Identify opportunities to reduce duplicative data collection and improve state and
federal reporting efficiency;
(5) Provide information and analysis to the Governor and the General Assembly on data
related issues impacting education and workforce policy;
(6) Provide governance, coordination, and guidance related to comprehensive,
system-wide data systems supporting state-wide accountability;
(7) Identify dependencies, sequencing, and agency-specific inputs necessary to support
accurate and timely cross-agency data use and reporting;
(8) Support lawful and ethical data sharing in compliance with all applicable state and
federal laws, including but not limited to the federal Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act; and
(9) Provide a forum for resolving cross-agency data governance issues related to data
access, stewardship, and use.
(e) The office shall provide necessary staffing and support for the board, including
coordinating meetings and work groups related to cross-agency data systems, facilitating
the development of shared data governance frameworks and documents, and supporting
coordination among agencies contributing to or utilizing cross-agency data systems,
including the state-wide longitudinal data system.
(f) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to:
(1) Transfer statutory authority from any agency represented on the board to another
agency or entity; or
(2) Require the disclosure of personally identifiable information, except as otherwise
permitted by law."
</ins>
SECTION 29.
Said title is further amended in Part 3 of said article, relating to accountability assessment,
by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 20-14-35, relating to office powers, on-site audits,
reporting findings and recommendations, and authorization of other school audits, as follows:
"(d) The auditors shall report to the local board of education, the local school council, and
appropriate school administrators and shall report findings and recommendations
concerning any necessary improvements or intervention strategies. School audit reports
shall be provided to <del>the alliance and</del> the State Board of Education."
SECTION 30.
Said title is further amended in Part 4 of said article, relating to postsecondary accountability
assessment program, by revising subsections (a) and (b) of Code Section 20-14-50, relating
to creation, adoption of performance measures, report cards, and audit, as follows:
"(a) The office shall create <del>and the council shall adopt</del> the rules and policies that support
a postsecondary accountability assessment program that is primarily performance based.
(b) The office shall develop <del>and the council shall adopt</del> performance measures and
indicators that provide the basis for an accountability report card annually on the University
System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia."
SECTION 31.
Said title is further amended in Part 5 of said article, relating to the pre-kindergarten
accountability assessment program, by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 20-14-60,
relating to performance based accountability assessment program, annual accountability
report card, and audits, as follows:
"(a) The office, <del>with the approval of the council,</del> shall create and the Department of Early
Care and Learning shall adopt the rules and policies that support a pre-kindergarten
accountability assessment program that is primarily performance based."
SECTION 32.
Said title is further amended in Part 6 of said article, relating to the education work force
accountability assessment program, by replacing "work force" with "workforce" each time
the term appears in and by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 20-14-70, relating to
creation, adoption of performance measures, report cards, and audit, as follows:
"(a) The office, <del>with the approval of the council,</del> shall create and the Professional
Standards Commission shall adopt the rules and policies that support an education <del>work
force</del> <ins>workforce</ins> accountability assessment program that is primarily performance based."
SECTION 33.
Said title is further amended in Part 9 of said article, relating to the Career and Technical
Education Advisory Commission, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Code
Section 20-14-91, relating to creation, membership, requirements, meetings, and
reimbursement, as follows:
1000 "(b)(1) The commission shall consist of four members of the House of Representatives
1001 to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, one of whom shall be from the House
1002 Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, one of whom shall be from the
1003 House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, one of whom shall be from the
1004 House Committee on Education, and one of whom shall be from the House Committee
1005 on Higher Education; four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the
1006 Senate, one of whom shall be from the Senate Economic Development <ins>and Tourism
</ins> 1007 Committee, one of whom shall be from the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
1008 Committee, one of whom shall be from the Senate Education and Youth Committee, and
1009 one of whom shall be from the Senate Higher Education Committee; <del>three members who
</del> 1010 <del>are not members of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Governor; and</del> three
1011 members who are not members of the General Assembly to be appointed by the State
1012 School Superintendent; <ins>the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia;
</ins>
1013 <ins>the director; the chairperson of the State Workforce Development Board; and the
</ins> 1014 <ins>chairperson of the State Board of Education."
</ins> 1015 SECTION 34.
1016 Said title is further amended by replacing the term "Office of Workforce Development" with
1017 "Technical College System of Georgia" wherever the former term appears.
1018 SECTION 35.
1019 Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations,
1020 is amended Chapter 14, relating to the State Workforce Development Board, by revising
1021 Code Section 34-14-1, relating to creation of State Workforce Development Board, federal
1022 composition requirements, meetings, promulgation of rules and regulations authorized, and
1023 administration of programs, as follows:
1024 "34-14-1.
1025 (a)(1) <del>Pursuant to Public Law 105-220 and any subsequent amendment to such law</del> <ins>In
</ins> 1026 <ins>accordance with 29 U.S.C. Section 3111,</ins> the State Workforce Development Board is
1027 <del>hereby created</del> <ins>established.
</ins> 1028 (2) The State Workforce Development Board shall meet federal composition
1029 requirements. The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
1030 shall each have the authority to appoint members as federal law allows. The Governor
1031 shall be responsible for selecting the remainder of the members, who shall include the
1032 <ins>following representatives of the Technical College System of Georgia and the
</ins> 1033 <ins>Department of Education: the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia,
</ins> 1034 <ins>the State School Superintendent, one member of the State Board of the Technical College
</ins> 1035 <ins>System of Georgia, and one member of the State Board of Education.
</ins> 1036 (3) The State Workforce Development Board's members' terms of service shall be
1037 established by the Governor and shall be at the discretion of the appointing authority.
1038 (4) The State Workforce Development Board shall have powers and duties as specified
1039 by the Governor and as provided for in federal law.
1040 (5) The State Workforce Development Board shall be authorized to establish, alter, or
1041 amend local workforce development areas in this state and shall be authorized to
1042 promulgate rules implementing and governing such local workforce development areas
1043 that are compliant with federal law.
1044 (6) The State Workforce Development Board shall meet quarterly or when otherwise
1045 requested by the chairperson and shall be governed by a set of bylaws which shall be
1046 voted on and approved by the State Workforce Development Board.
1047 (7) The State Workforce Development Board shall be funded by federal law.
1048 (8) The State Workforce Development Board shall be authorized to promulgate rules and
1049 regulations for purposes of implementing:
1050 <ins>(A) The</ins> <del>the</del> state's workforce policy that are compliant with federal law; <ins>and
</ins> 1051 <ins>(B) The federal Workforce Pell Grant program, as defined by Section 83002 of
</ins> 1052 <ins>P.L. 119-21, to determine whether a Pell Grant-eligible postsecondary institution that
</ins> 1053 <ins>offers short-term programs in the state or enrolls students living in the state in a
</ins> 1054 <ins>short-term program meets the requirements under applicable law. Any such
</ins> 1055 <ins>determination is subject to withdrawal based on criteria established by the State
</ins> 1056 <ins>Workforce Development Board.
</ins> 1057 <ins>(9) The State Workforce Development Board shall periodically review the conditions,
</ins> 1058 <ins>needs, issues, and problems related to the career and technical education program in order
</ins> 1059 <ins>to collaborate with the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy to create the
</ins> 1060 <ins>state-wide education and workforce plan provided for in Code Section 20-14-29.2.
</ins> 1061 <ins>(10) The State Workforce Development Board shall approve the combined Workforce
</ins> 1062 <ins>Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan and any amendments thereto
</ins> 1063 <ins>as provided for in Code Sections 20-2-169 and 20-4-17.
</ins>
1064 (b)(1) The Technical College System of Georgia is designated as the administrator of all
1065 programs for which the state is responsible pursuant to <del>Public Law 105-220 and any
</del> 1066 <del>subsequent amendment to such law</del> <ins>29 U.S.C. Section 3111.
</ins> 1067 (2) The Technical College System of Georgia shall administer such programs and their
1068 associated funds pursuant to the policies and methods of implementation which are
1069 promulgated by the State Workforce Development Board and the Governor.
1070 <ins>(3) In collaboration with the Technical College System of Georgia, the Office of
</ins> 1071 <ins>Education and Workforce Strategy is designated as the agency to support the State
</ins> 1072 <ins>Workforce Development Board in carrying out its responsibilities related to the
</ins> 1073 <ins>High-Demand Career List as provided in Code Section 34-14-3 and the return on
</ins> 1074 <ins>investment report as provided in Code Section 34-14-4.
</ins> 1075 <ins>(4) The Technical College System of Georgia shall be the authorized state entity to
</ins> 1076 <ins>administer the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, as defined by Section 83002 of
</ins> 1077 <ins>P.L. 119-21.
</ins> 1078 <ins>(c) The State Workforce Development Board shall be assigned to the Office of Education
</ins> 1079 <ins>and Workforce Strategy for board operational purposes, including but not limited to staff
</ins> 1080 <ins>support for fulfilling its duties. To ensure program alignment, the Technical College
</ins> 1081 <ins>System of Georgia and the Department of Education shall also provide the State Workforce
</ins> 1082 <ins>Development Board with the necessary resources and staff support to fulfill its duties."
</ins> 1083 SECTION 36.
1084 Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising the introductory language of
1085 subsection (a) of Code Section 34-14-3, relating to the High-demand Career List, as follows:
1086 "34-14-3.
1087 (a) The <del>State Workforce Development Board</del> <ins>Office of Education and Workforce Strategy
</ins> 1088 shall develop and approve a <del>High-demand</del> <ins>High-Demand</ins> Career List that shall identify
1089 those careers most critical to the state's current and future workforce needs. As directed
1090 by the Governor, the <del>State Workforce Development Board</del> <ins>Office of Education and
</ins> 1091 <ins>Workforce Strategy</ins> shall coordinate and collaborate with the <del>Office of Student
</del> 1092 <del>Achievement</del> <ins>State Workforce Development Board,</ins> the Department of Education, <ins>the
</ins> 1093 <ins>Department of Labor,</ins> the Technical College System of Georgia, the University System of
1094 Georgia, and the Georgia Student Finance Commission to develop and implement a
1095 data-driven methodology to determine which careers merit inclusion on <del>High-demand
</del> 1096 <ins>High-Demand</ins> Career List, regionally or state wide. The <del>High-demand</del> <ins>High-Demand
</ins> 1097 Career List shall:"
1098 SECTION 37.
1099 Said title is further amended in said chapter by revising Code Section 34-14-4, relating to
1100 return of investment analysis of secondary and postsecondary programs, evaluation and
1101 reporting requirements, and cooperation, as follows:
1102 "34-14-4.
1103 (a) The <del>State Workforce Development Board</del> <ins>Office of Education and Workforce Strategy
</ins> 1104 shall be responsible for oversight of a return on investment analysis to evaluate and report
1105 on the effectiveness of secondary and postsecondary programs aligned with the priority
1106 areas identified by the State Workforce Development Board and included on the
1107 <del>High-demand</del> <ins>High-Demand</ins> Career List <del>published by the State Workforce Development
</del> 1108 <del>Board</del> as provided in Code Section 34-14-3.
1109 (b) As directed by the Governor, the <del>State Workforce Development Board</del> <ins>Office of
</ins> 1110 <ins>Education and Workforce Strategy</ins> shall coordinate and collaborate with the <del>Office of
</del> 1111 <del>Student Achievement</del> <ins>State Workforce Development Board,</ins> the Department of Education,
1112 <ins>the Department of Labor, the University System of Georgia,</ins> the Technical College System
1113 of Georgia, <del>the University System of Georgia,</del> and the Georgia Student Finance
1114 Commission to develop the return on investment methodology utilizing an analysis of data
1115 sources that include, but are not limited to, existing federal and state resources, longitudinal
1116 outcome tracking of student information, enrollment and program outcomes, and labor
1117 market analysis.
1118 (c) The evaluation and report required by this Code section shall include a comprehensive
1119 review of student participation and outcomes, program alignment with labor market needs,
1120 and recommendations for programmatic adjustments to better meet the needs of Georgia's
1121 businesses, industries, and workforce and shall address, at a minimum, the following:
1122 (1) The percentage of program graduates employed including retention rates and wage
1123 growth over time;
1124 (2) Comparison of graduates' average wages to state, national, and industry benchmarks,
1125 with wage growth assessed at two-year, five-year, and ten-year intervals <del>post-completion
</del> 1126 <ins>postcompletion;
</ins> 1127 (3) The extent to which skills, certificates, licenses, diplomas, degrees, or other
1128 credentials offered by the State Board of Education, the University System of Georgia,
1129 and the Technical College System of Georgia align with the <del>High-demand</del> <ins>High-Demand
</ins> 1130 Career List published by the State Workforce Development Board as provided in Code
1131 Section 34-14-3;
1132 (4) The percentage of students, at both the secondary and <del>post-secondary</del> <ins>postsecondary
</ins> 1133 levels, that are obtaining any credentials identified in paragraph (3) of this subsection;
1134 and
1135 (5) Transparent information to stakeholders regarding program availability and
1136 outcomes.
1137 (d) The evaluation and report required by this Code section shall be:
1138 (1) Approved by the State Workforce Development Board on or before December 1 of
1139 each even-numbered year;
1140 (2) Submitted by the <del>State Workforce Development Board</del> <ins>Office of Education and
</ins> 1141 <ins>Workforce Strategy</ins> to the Governor; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the
1142 House of Representatives; the respective chairs of the House Committee on Education,
1143 the Senate Education and Youth Committee, the House Committee on Higher Education,
1144 and the Senate Higher Education Committee; and the Office of Planning and Budget; and
1145 (3) Published on the public websites of the State Workforce Development Board, the
1146 <del>Office of Student Achievement</del> <ins>Office of Education and Workforce Strategy,</ins> the
1147 Department of Education, the University System of Georgia, the Technical College
1148 System of Georgia, and the Georgia Student Finance Commission on or before December
1149 31 of each even-numbered year.
1150 (e) All state agencies and political subdivisions of the state, including postsecondary
1151 <del>education</del> <ins>educational</ins> institutions and local school systems, shall cooperate in collecting
1152 and sharing all data and other pertinent information necessary for the implementation of
1153 the evaluation and preparation of the report required by this Code section, subject to
1154 applicable privacy protections, within a predetermined time frame as set by the <del>State
</del> 1155 <del>Workforce Development Board</del> <ins>Office of Education and Workforce Strategy.</ins> Such
1156 agencies and political subdivisions shall use the findings of the report to recommend
1157 continuation, modification, or discontinuation of programs to better align with workforce
1158 needs.
1159 (f) The purpose of this Code section is to ensure the effective use of state resources,
1160 prepare Georgians for high-demand career pathways, and support the state's economic
1161 development by fostering a workforce aligned with employer needs."
1162 SECTION 38.
1163 Said title is further amended in said chapter by repealing Code Section 34-14-5, relating to
1164 reporting on the alignment of policies, programs, and practices of the State Board of
1165 Education, the Department of Education, the University System of Georgia, the Technical
1166 College System of Georgia, and the Georgia Student Finance Commission, requirements, and
1167 cooperation.
1168 SECTION 39.
1169 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this Act shall become effective on
1170 July 1, 2026.
1171 (b) Section 19 of this Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027.
1172 SECTION 40.
1173 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.