Bill > SB509

This bill establishes the framework for implementing the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program in Maryland, allowing Pell Grants to be awarded to students enrolled in specific short-term educational programs. The Governor, after consulting with the Governor's Workforce Development Board, will determine which short-term programs are eligible for these grants, provided they meet certain criteria such as being between 150 and 600 hours of instruction and lasting between 8 and 15 weeks. The bill also defines "registered apprenticeship" as a program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council and mandates that such programs include both on-the-job and classroom learning components. Institutions offering these approved short-term programs must meet specific requirements, including alignment with high-skill or high-wage occupations, employer hiring needs, and leading to recognized credentials, with provisions for credit transferability to further education. The bill also outlines reporting requirements for institutions and mandates that the Governor's Workforce Development Board and the Maryland Higher Education Commission report annually to the General Assembly on program data.