Bill Text: HI HB1561 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 1561 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 31-0)

Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2022-05-04 - Transmitted to Governor. [HB1561 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-HB1561-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1561
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 2
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State's high school students and adult education students would benefit from a work readiness preparation program. A close collaboration between educators and industry employers would ensure that students develop the skills and credentials needed to make them highly employable.

The legislature recognizes the benefit of allowing students, including students at adult and community schools, to earn associate degrees, workforce development diplomas, pre-apprenticeship certificates, and other industry-recognized certificates.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish an adult workforce readiness program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A‑ Adult workforce readiness program; established. (a) There is established within the department an adult workforce readiness program to be administered by the adult and community education program.

(b) The department shall designate schools, including adult and community schools, that may participate in the program.

(c) Designated adult workforce readiness program schools shall provide opportunities for students to earn associate degrees, as well as workforce development diplomas, pre-apprenticeship certificates, and other industry-recognized certificates that assess and document the student's readiness for a wide range of employment.

(d) The department may coordinate with the department of labor and industrial relations and the department of human services division of vocational rehabilitation and may enter into contracts with local industry employers, as appropriate, to develop and implement the workforce readiness program.

(e) The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the purposes of this section."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

Report Title:

DOE; Adult Workforce Readiness Program; Establishment

Description:

Establishes within the department of education a workforce readiness program to provide opportunities for students to earn associate degrees, workforce development diplomas, pre-apprenticeship certificates, and other industry-recognized certificates. Requires the department to designate schools, including adult community schools, to participate in the program. (CD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.