Bill > HB180

This bill establishes the Work-Based Learning Coordinator Pilot Program to increase access to quality work-based learning experiences for public school students, defining "work-based learning" as instructional strategies in the workplace or simulations that align with a student's studies and comply with labor laws, including internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing. The Department of Education will select 12 to 24 school divisions or groups of divisions to participate in this three-year program, with each selected division required to hire or contract with a "coordinator" – an individual responsible for developing partnerships with "employer partners" (businesses, organizations, or institutions) and creating written agreements for student experiences, ensuring safety, compliance with labor laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and providing necessary student support. Participating divisions must collect and report detailed data on student participation, hours, wages, credentials earned, and post-graduation outcomes, disaggregated by student subgroups to ensure equitable access, and the Department will provide resources, templates, and guidance for program implementation, with funding available through grants for coordinator salaries, student support, and program management, and the program will conclude on July 1, 2029.