Bill Text: IA HF2458 | 2017-2018 | 87th General Assembly | Enrolled
Bill Title: A bill for an act creating a future ready Iowa Act to strengthen workforce development by establishing a registered apprenticeship development program, a volunteer mentoring program, a summer youth intern program, summer postsecondary courses for high school students that are aligned with high-demand career pathways, an employer innovation fund, and future ready Iowa skilled workforce scholarship and grant programs and funds, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 602.) Effective 7-1-18, with exception of Division III, effective 7-1-19.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-04-03 - Signed by Governor. H.J. 733. [HF2458 Detail]
Download: Iowa-2017-HF2458-Enrolled.html
House File 2458 - Enrolled
HOUSE FILE
BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 602)
(COMPANION TO LSB
5471SV by committee on
commerce)
\5
A BILL FOR
\1
House File 2458
AN ACT
CREATING A FUTURE READY IOWA ACT TO STRENGTHEN WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT BY ESTABLISHING A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, A VOLUNTEER MENTORING PROGRAM, A SUMMER
YOUTH INTERN PROGRAM, SUMMER POSTSECONDARY COURSES FOR HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH HIGH=DEMAND CAREER
PATHWAYS, AN EMPLOYER INNOVATION FUND, AND FUTURE READY IOWA
SKILLED WORKFORCE SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT PROGRAMS AND FUNDS,
AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
DIVISION I
TITLE OF ACT
Section 1. TITLE OF ACT. This Act shall be known and may be
cited as the "Future Ready Iowa Act".
DIVISION II
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY == FUTURE READY IOWA REGISTERED
APPRENTICESHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Sec. 2. Section 15.106A, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code
2018, is amended to read as follows:
a. That through this section and section 15.106B, the
authority has been granted broad general powers and specific
program powers over all of the authority's statutory programs,
including but not limited to the programs created pursuant to
chapters 15, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15E, and 15J.
Sec. 3. Section 15B.4, Code 2018, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 5. An apprenticeship sponsor receiving
financial assistance under this chapter is ineligible for
financial assistance under section 15C.1 during the same fiscal
year.
Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 15C.1 Future ready Iowa registered
apprenticeship development program.
1. Definitions. For purposes of this section, unless the
context otherwise requires:
a. "Applicant" means a new or existing apprenticeship
sponsor located in Iowa that has established an apprenticeship
program involving an eligible apprenticeable occupation that is
located in Iowa and approved by the United States department of
labor, office of apprenticeship.
b. "Apprentice" means a person who is at least sixteen
years of age, except where a higher minimum age is required by
law, who is employed in an apprenticeable occupation, and is
registered in Iowa with the United States department of labor,
office of apprenticeship.
c. "Apprenticeable occupation" means an occupation approved
for apprenticeship by the United States department of labor,
office of apprenticeship.
d. "Apprenticeship program" means a program registered
with the United States department of labor, office of
apprenticeship, which includes terms and conditions for the
qualification, recruitment, selection, employment, and training
of apprentices, including the requirement for a written
apprenticeship agreement.
e. "Apprenticeship sponsor" means an entity operating
an apprenticeship program or an entity in whose name an
apprenticeship program is being operated, which is registered
with or approved by the United States department of labor,
office of apprenticeship.
f. "Authority" means the economic development authority
created in section 15.105.
g. "Eligible apprenticeable occupation" means an
apprenticeable occupation identified by the workforce
development board or a community college pursuant to
section 84A.1B, subsection 13A, as a high=demand job, after
consultation with the authority.
h. "Financial assistance" means assistance provided only
from the funds, rights, and assets legally available to the
authority and includes but is not limited to assistance in the
form of a reimbursement grant to support the costs associated
with establishing a new eligible apprenticeable occupation
or an additional eligible apprenticeable occupation in an
applicant's apprenticeship program.
2. Program created. Subject to an appropriation of funds
by the general assembly for this purpose, a future ready Iowa
registered apprenticeship development program is created which
shall be administered by the authority. The purpose of the
program is to provide financial assistance to incentivize
small and medium=sized apprenticeship sponsors to establish
new or additional eligible apprenticeable occupations in the
apprenticeship sponsor's apprenticeship program in order to
support the growth of apprenticeship programs and expand
high=quality work=based learning experiences in high=demand
fields and careers for persons who are employed in eligible
apprenticeable occupations in Iowa.
3. Application requirements == restriction. An
apprenticeship sponsor may apply to the authority, on
forms provided by the authority and in accordance with the
authority's instructions, to receive financial assistance under
the program. The authority shall provide upon request and on
the authority's internet site information about the program,
the application, application instructions, and the application
period established each year for funding available under the
program. The application shall include a description of how
the financial assistance awarded under this section would be
used to establish an apprenticeship program or add new or
additional apprenticeable occupations to the apprenticeship
sponsor's apprenticeship program and the anticipated program
expenses identified by the applicant.
a. An apprenticeship sponsor is eligible to apply for
financial assistance for a new or additional eligible
apprenticeable occupation, in addition to existing
apprenticeship occupations in the apprenticeship sponsor's
apprenticeship program, if all of the following conditions are
met:
(1) Twenty or fewer apprentices are registered in the
existing apprenticeship program as of December 31 of the
calendar year prior to the date the authority receives the
apprenticeship sponsor's application.
(2) More than seventy percent of the applicant's
apprentices shall be residents of Iowa, and the remainder
of the applicant's apprentices shall be residents of states
contiguous to Iowa. In determining the number of apprentices
in an applicant's apprenticeship program, the authority may
calculate the average number of apprentices in the program
within the most recent two=year period.
b. An apprenticeship sponsor receiving financial assistance
under chapter 15B is ineligible for financial assistance under
this section during the same fiscal year.
4. Rules. The authority shall adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 17A establishing a staff review and application
approval process, application scoring criteria, the minimum
score necessary for approval of financial assistance,
procedures for notification of an award of financial
assistance, the terms of agreement between the apprenticeship
sponsor and the authority, and any other rules deemed necessary
for the implementation and administration of this section.
5. Agreement. Prior to distributing financial assistance
under this section, the authority shall enter into an agreement
with the apprenticeship sponsor awarded financial assistance
in accordance with this section, and the financial assistance
recipient shall confirm the expenses for establishing the
program or adding the additional occupations as identified in
the approved application, and shall meet all terms established
by the authority for receipt of financial assistance under this
section.
6. Use of moneys appropriated == administration.
a. The annual administrative expenditures as a percent of
the moneys appropriated for a fiscal year for purposes of this
section shall not exceed two percent.
b. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated to
the authority by the general assembly for purposes of this
section that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the end of
the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall
remain available for expenditure for the purposes designated in
subsequent fiscal years.
DIVISION III
FUTURE READY IOWA == VARIOUS PROGRAMS
Sec. 5. Section 15H.1A, Code 2018, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 1A. "Commission" means the Iowa commission
on volunteer service created in section 15H.2.
Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 15H.9 Volunteer mentor program.
1. Subject to an appropriation of funds by the general
assembly for this purpose, the commission shall establish a
volunteer mentor program to support implementation of the
future ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar scholarship
and the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant programs
created in sections 261.131 and 261.132. The commission, in
collaboration with the department of workforce development and
the college student aid commission, shall adopt rules pursuant
to chapter 17A to implement and administer the volunteer
mentor program, and shall establish standards, guidelines, and
expectations for a productive and appropriate relationship
between mentors and mentees, including helping students
meet the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar
scholarship program or future ready Iowa skilled workforce
grant requirements, as appropriate; identify work=based
learning opportunities; and make career=related connections
that are advantageous to persons participating in the volunteer
mentor program.
2. The prospective volunteer mentor shall have successfully
passed a background investigation conducted by the division of
criminal investigation of the department of public safety and a
check of the national sex offender registry.
3. The commission shall enter into written agreements with
prospective mentors and mentees under the program. Under such
an agreement, prospective mentors and mentees agree to abide by
the standards, guidelines, and expectations established by the
commission pursuant to subsection 1.
4. The commission, in collaboration with the department of
workforce development and the college student aid commission,
and in cooperation with an eligible institution as defined
in section 261.131 or 261.132, as appropriate, shall assign
a student, who is a recipient of a future ready Iowa skilled
workforce last=dollar scholarship under section 261.131 or
a future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant under section
261.132, who requests the assignment of a mentor, and who
enters into an agreement under subsection 3, to a mentor
appropriate to the prospective mentee's field of study whenever
possible.
5. The commission shall maintain, and regularly update,
a list of the mentor and mentee pairings and the dates of
inception of the mentor and mentee pairings.
6. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated to the
economic development authority for allocation to the commission
for purposes of this section that remain unencumbered or
unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert but
shall remain available to be used for the purposes designated
in this section until the close of the succeeding fiscal year.
Sec. 7. Section 84A.1B, Code 2018, is amended by adding the
following new subsections:
NEW SUBSECTION. 13A. Create, and update as necessary, a
list of high=demand jobs statewide for purposes of the future
ready Iowa registered apprenticeship development program
created in section 15C.1, the summer youth intern pilot
program established under section 84A.12, the Iowa employer
innovation program established under section 84A.13, the
future ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar scholarship
program established under section 261.131, the future ready
Iowa skilled workforce grant program established under section
261.132, and postsecondary summer classes for high school
students as provided under section 261E.8, subsection 7A. In
addition to the list created by the workforce development
board under this subsection, each community college, in
consultation with regional career and technical education
planning partnerships, and with the approval of the board of
directors of the community college, may identify and maintain
a list of not more than five regional high=demand jobs in the
community college region, and shall share the lists with the
workforce development board. The lists submitted by community
colleges under the subsection may be used in that community
college region for purposes of programs identified under this
subsection. The workforce development board shall have full
discretion to select and prioritize statewide high=demand jobs
after consulting with business and education stakeholders,
as appropriate, and seeking public comment. For purposes of
this subsection, "high=demand job" means a job in the state for
which the board, or a community college in accordance with this
subsection, determines work opportunities are available and
qualified applicants are lacking.
NEW SUBSECTION. 13B. Compile an annual report, in an
aggregate form to protect the confidentiality of each eligible
program's participants, that includes the number of students
receiving scholarships under section 261.131, the number of
students receiving grants under section 261.132, the number
of scholarship and grant recipients completing a program
of study or major annually and in the prescribed time frame
under sections 261.131 and 261.132, the number of eligible
institutions participating in the scholarship and grant
programs established under sections 261.131 and 261.132, the
number of written agreements entered into by the volunteer
mentor program under section 15H.9, statistics on employment
outcomes for future ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar
scholarship and future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant
program participants by industry, and other data as may be
deemed pertinent by the department or the college student aid
commission. The department shall submit the initial report by
January 15, 2021, and by January 15 annually thereafter, to the
governor and the general assembly.
Sec. 8. Section 84A.5, subsection 7, Code 2018, is amended
by adding the following new paragraph:
NEW PARAGRAPH. 0d. The Iowa employer innovation program
established under section 84A.13.
Sec. 9. Section 84A.6, subsection 4, Code 2018, is amended
by striking the subsection.
Sec. 10. NEW SECTION. 84A.12 Summer youth intern pilot
program.
1. A summer youth intern pilot program is established
within the department of workforce development to provide
youths who are at risk of not graduating from high school,
who are from low=income households, who are from communities
underrepresented in the Iowa workforce, or who otherwise face
barriers to success and upward mobility in the labor market,
with internship opportunities that allow these youths to
explore and prepare for high=demand careers, to gain work
experience, and to develop personal attributes necessary to
succeed in the workplace.
2. Subject to an appropriation of funds by the general
assembly for this purpose, the department of workforce
development shall award grants for summer youth intern
pilot projects on a competitive basis as provided in this
section. The department shall work with employers, nonprofit
organizations, and educational institutions to place youth in
internships primarily in high=demand career fields.
3. The department of workforce development shall annually
issue a request for proposals to the public, specifying the
expectations and requirements for summer youth intern pilot
project grant qualification, including but not limited to the
provision of facilities, programming, staffing, and outcomes.
4. The department of workforce development shall give
full and fair consideration to each proposal submitted under
subsection 3, and shall award grants after considering, at a
minimum, the following:
a. The bidder's history and experience in the community.
b. The capacity to serve a substantial number of youth.
c. The suitability of the available facilities.
d. The bidder's contacts and partnerships in the community
that can be leveraged to maximize opportunity for project
participants.
e. The capacity to provide employability skills, including
but not limited to training relating to soft skills, financial
literacy, and career development.
Sec. 11. NEW SECTION. 84A.13 Iowa employer innovation
program == fund.
1. For purposes of this section, "high=demand job" means
a job identified by the workforce development board or a
community college pursuant to section 84A.1B, subsection 13A,
as a high=demand job.
2. Subject to an appropriation of funds by the general
assembly for this purpose, the Iowa employer innovation program
is established in the department of workforce development.
The department shall administer the program in consultation
with the workforce development board. The purpose of the
Iowa employer innovation program is to expand opportunities
for credit and noncredit education and training leading to
high=demand jobs for the residents of Iowa and to encourage
Iowa employers, community leaders, and others to provide
leadership and support for regional workforce talent pools
throughout the state.
3. The department of workforce development shall adopt
rules under chapter 17A establishing a program application and
award process to match employer moneys and the criteria for
the allocation of moneys in the fund established pursuant to
subsection 4. An employer, employer consortium, community
organization, or other entity seeking matching moneys shall
submit an application and a proposal to the department. In
awarding matching moneys, the department shall take into
account various factors, including but not limited to all of
the following:
a. The range of high=demand jobs, innovative measures, and
geographic fairness and equity included in the proposal.
b. Whether the proposal increases the number of eligible
students receiving financial assistance under the future ready
Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar scholarship or future
ready Iowa skilled workforce grant programs established under
sections 261.131 and 261.132; or increases the donation of
books, transportation, child care, and other wrap=around
support to assist eligible students receiving financial
assistance under section 261.131 or 261.132.
c. Whether the proposal includes performance=based
bonuses paid when high school students earn national
industry=recognized credentials aligned with high=demand jobs
that meet regional workforce needs.
d. Whether the proposal expands internships leading to
high=demand jobs.
e. Whether the proposal offers innovative ways of expanding
opportunities for credit and noncredit education and training
leading to high=demand jobs.
f. Whether the proposal addresses areas of workforce need
throughout the region.
4. An Iowa employer innovation fund is created in the
state treasury as a separate fund under the control of the
department of workforce development, in consultation with the
workforce development board. The fund shall consist of any
moneys appropriated by the general assembly and any other
moneys available to and obtained or accepted by the department
from the federal government. The assets of the fund shall be
used by the department only for purposes of this section. All
moneys deposited or paid into the fund are appropriated and
made available to the board to be used for purposes of this
section. Notwithstanding section 8.33, any balance in the fund
on June 30 of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general
fund of the state, but shall be available for purposes of this
section in subsequent fiscal years.
Sec. 12. NEW SECTION. 261.131 Future ready Iowa skilled
workforce last=dollar scholarship program.
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context
otherwise requires:
a. "Commission" means the college student aid commission.
b. "Credential" means a postsecondary certificate, diploma,
or degree, conferring no more than an associate degree, awarded
by an eligible institution and earned in a program of study
that leads to a high=demand job and is authorized for federal
student aid under Tit. IV of the federal Higher Education Act
of 1965, as amended.
c. "Eligible institution" means a community college as
defined in section 260C.2 or an accredited private institution
as defined in section 261.9, that meets all of the following
criteria:
(1) Applies to and is approved by the commission to
participate in the future ready Iowa skilled workforce
last=dollar scholarship program.
(2) Requires eligible students to complete and file
application forms required by the commission, apply for
all available state and federal financial aid, apply to the
eligible institution to participate in the program, attend
orientation in person or virtually, register for classes
with the assistance of an academic advisor, and participate
in academic and career advising sessions offered under the
program.
(3) Facilitates, in collaboration with the commission on
volunteer service created in section 15H.2, the assignment
of a volunteer mentor to each eligible student, based on the
eligible student's interest. The volunteer mentor shall have
successfully passed a background investigation and a check of
the national sex offender registry as required under section
15H.9, subsection 2, and both the eligible student and the
volunteer mentor shall have entered into a written agreement as
provided in section 15H.9, subsection 3.
(4) Facilitates connections through campus career centers
and services to internships and similar local, state, and
federal programs.
(5) Markets the eligible institution's future ready Iowa
program of study and optional incentives, which may include
but not be limited to credit for military experience, on the
eligible institution's internet site and to other relevant
agencies and organizations as recommended by the college
student aid commission, the commission on volunteer service, or
the department of workforce development.
(6) Submits annually information and data regarding the
eligible program operated by the eligible institution, the
students and volunteer mentors participating in the eligible
program, scholarship recipient eligible program completion
results, and statistics on employment outcomes for eligible
program participants by industry, to the commission in the
manner required by the commission.
d. "Eligible program" means a program of study or an
academic major jointly approved by the commission and the
department of workforce development, in consultation with an
eligible institution, that leads to a credential aligned with a
high=demand job designated by the workforce development board
or community college pursuant to section 84A.1B, subsection
13A. If the board or a community college removes a high=demand
job from a list created under section 84A.1B, subsection 13A,
an eligible student who received a scholarship for a program
based on that high=demand job shall continue to receive the
scholarship until achieving a postsecondary credential, up to
an associate degree, as long as the student continues to meet
all other eligibility requirements.
e. "Eligible student" means an Iowa resident who meets all
of the following requirements:
(1) Is either a new graduate of an Iowa high school who
enrolls full=time in an eligible program at an eligible
institution by the fall semester, or the equivalent,
following graduation from high school or completion of private
instruction under chapter 299A; or is an adult learner who has
received a high school diploma or a high school equivalency
diploma, who enrolls in an eligible program in an eligible
institution as a full=time or part=time student.
(2) Completes and submits application forms required by the
commission, including the free application for federal student
aid; applies for all available state and federal financial
aid; attends orientation in person or virtually; registers
for classes with the assistance of an academic advisor;
and participates in academic and career advising sessions
required under the eligible program. To receive a renewal of
a scholarship awarded under this section, an eligible student
must annually submit a new application to the commission for
reevaluation of eligibility.
(3) Is making satisfactory academic progress as defined by
the eligible institution.
(4) Remains continuously enrolled unless granted a leave of
absence by the eligible institution based on criteria adopted
by rule by the commission.
f. "Full=time" means enrollment in at least twelve semester
hours or the equivalent.
g. "Part=time" means enrollment in at least six but less
than twelve semester hours or the equivalent.
2. Allowable activities. An eligible student may work
with an assigned volunteer mentor to help the student meet the
requirements of this section or the requirements of an eligible
program, identify and participate in work=based learning
opportunities with the approval of the eligible institution,
and make other career=related connections.
3. Scholarship limitations == requirements.
a. For an eligible student who is attending an eligible
institution that is a community college during the fall,
spring, or summer term of enrollment, and is pursuing a
postsecondary credential up to an associate degree, the annual
amount of a future ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar
scholarship, when combined with other state and federal
nonrepayable student aid, shall not exceed an amount equivalent
to the tuition and any mandatory institution=wide fees charged
by the community college for the eligible program. For an
eligible student pursuing a postsecondary credential up to
an associate degree at an eligible institution that is an
accredited private institution during the fall, spring, or
summer term of enrollment, the annual amount of a future ready
Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar scholarship, when combined
with other state and federal nonrepayable student aid, shall
not exceed an amount equivalent to the average tuition rate
plus the average institution=wide mandatory fees charged during
the same term of enrollment by the eligible institutions that
are community colleges.
b. If an eligible student receives nonrepayable financial
aid under any other state or federal program, the full amount
of that aid shall be considered part of the student's available
financial resources before determining the amount of the
student's future ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar
scholarship for the same period during which the student
receives other state or federal financial aid. However, each
eligible student enrolled full=time in an eligible program
shall receive at least five hundred dollars annually, and the
amount received by each eligible part=time student shall be
the same amount prorated by the commission based on the number
of semester hours, or the equivalent, for which the part=time
student is enrolled.
c. A full=time eligible student may receive a future
ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar scholarship for
not more than five semesters, or the equivalent, or until
the eligible student earns the credential sought, up to an
associate degree, under the program, whichever occurs first.
A part=time eligible student may receive the scholarship for
not more than eight semesters, or the equivalent, on a prorated
basis, or until the eligible student earns the credential
sought, up to an associate degree, under the eligible program,
whichever occurs first. All classes identified by an eligible
institution as required for completion of the eligible program
by the eligible student shall be considered required under the
eligible program for purposes of this section.
d. A future ready Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar
scholarship shall be awarded on an annual basis, requiring
reapplication by an eligible student each year. Scholarship
payments shall be allocated equally among the semesters, or
the equivalent, and paid upon certification by the eligible
institution that the student meets the requirements of
subsection 1, paragraph "e".
e. If a scholarship recipient discontinues attendance before
the end of any semester, or the equivalent, after receiving
scholarship payments, the entire amount of any refund due
that recipient, up to the full amount of all of the annual
scholarship payments made, shall be paid by the eligible
institution to the commission. A scholarship recipient,
who is not approved for a leave of absence by the eligible
institution, who discontinues attendance before the end of a
semester, or the equivalent, is ineligible to receive future
scholarships under this section.
4. Commission's duties and responsibilities. Subject to an
appropriation of funds by the general assembly for purposes of
this section, the commission shall administer the future ready
Iowa skilled workforce last=dollar scholarship program and
shall do all of the following:
a. Provide application forms for distribution to students by
high schools and eligible institutions.
b. Adopt rules under chapter 17A, in collaboration with
the department of workforce development, for administration of
this section, including but not limited to establishing the
duties and responsibilities of eligible institutions under the
program; defining residence and satisfactory academic progress
for purposes of the program; and establishing procedures
for scholarship application, processing, and approval. The
rules shall provide for determining the priority awarding of
scholarships if funds available for purposes of this section
are insufficient to pay all eligible students. Priority shall
be given to fully awarding each eligible student approved for a
scholarship rather than to prorating scholarship awards among
all eligible students.
c. Approve and award future ready Iowa skilled workforce
last=dollar scholarships on an annual basis.
d. Transmit to the department of workforce development the
compilation of information, data, and statistics submitted in
accordance with subsection 1, paragraph "c", subparagraph (6),
for the annual report required under section 84A.1B.
5. Fund created. A future ready Iowa skilled workforce
last=dollar scholarship fund is created in the state treasury
as a separate fund under the control of the commission. All
moneys deposited or paid into the fund are appropriated and
made available to the commission to be used for scholarships
awarded as provided under this section. Notwithstanding
section 8.33, any balance in the fund on June 30 of each fiscal
year shall not revert to the general fund of the state, but
shall be available for purposes of this section in subsequent
fiscal years.
Sec. 13. NEW SECTION. 261.132 Future ready Iowa skilled
workforce grant program.
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context
otherwise requires:
a. "Commission" means the college student aid commission.
b. "Eligible institution" means an institution of higher
learning governed by the state board of regents or an
accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9,
that meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Applies to and is approved by the commission to
participate in the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant
program.
(2) Requires eligible students to complete and file
application forms required by the commission, apply for
all available state and federal financial aid, apply to the
eligible institution to participate in the program, attend
orientation in person or virtually, register for classes
with the assistance of an academic advisor, and participate
in academic and career advising sessions required under the
program.
(3) Certifies that prior to participating in the program
an eligible student has earned at least half of the credits
necessary for a bachelor's degree and is able to complete a
bachelor's degree in an eligible program of study or academic
major leading to a designated high=demand job in the prescribed
grant time frame.
(4) Facilitates the assignment of a volunteer mentor to each
eligible student based on the eligible student's interest. The
volunteer mentor shall have successfully passed a background
investigation and a check of the national sex offender
registry as required under section 15H.9, subsection 2, and
both the eligible student and the volunteer mentor shall have
entered into a written agreement as provided in section 15H.9,
subsection 3.
(5) Facilitates connections through campus career centers
and services to internships and similar local, state, and
federal programs.
(6) Markets the eligible institution's eligible program and
optional incentives, which may include but not be limited to
credit for military experience, on the eligible institution's
internet site and to other relevant agencies and organizations
as recommended by the college student aid commission, the
commission on volunteer service, or the department of workforce
development.
(7) Submits annually information and data regarding the
eligible program operated by the eligible institution, the
students and volunteer mentors participating in the eligible
program, and statistics on employment outcomes for eligible
program participants by industry, to the commission in the
manner required by the commission.
c. "Eligible program" means a program of study or an
academic major jointly approved by the commission and the
department of workforce development, in consultation with the
eligible institution, that leads to a bachelor's degree aligned
with a high=demand job designated by the workforce development
board pursuant to section 84A.1B, subsection 13A. If the
department removes a high=demand job from the list created
under section 84A.1B, subsection 13A, an eligible student
who received a grant for a program based on that high=demand
job shall continue to receive the grant until achieving a
bachelor's degree as long as the student continues to meet all
other eligibility requirements.
d. "Eligible student" means an Iowa resident who meets all
of the following requirements:
(1) Has earned at least half of the credits necessary for a
bachelor's degree and is able to complete a bachelor's degree
in an eligible program of study or academic major leading to a
designated high=demand job in the prescribed grant time frame.
(2) Completes and submits application forms required by the
commission, including the free application for federal student
aid; applies for all available state and federal financial
aid; attends orientation in person or virtually; registers
for classes with the assistance of an academic advisor; and
participates in academic and career advising sessions required
under the eligible program. To receive a renewal of a grant
awarded under this section, an eligible student must annually
submit a new application to the commission for reevaluation of
eligibility.
(3) Has not been enrolled in postsecondary education
during the twenty=four months preceding the date on which the
commission receives the individual's application to participate
in the program.
(4) Enrolls in at least six semester hours, or the
equivalent, in an eligible program. However, an eligible
student may enroll in fewer than six semester hours, or the
equivalent, if the eligible student needs fewer than six
semester hours of credit, or the equivalent, to achieve a
bachelor's degree under the eligible program.
(5) Is making satisfactory academic progress as defined by
the eligible institution.
(6) Remains continuously enrolled unless granted a leave of
absence by the eligible institution based on criteria adopted
by rule by the commission.
e. "Full=time" means enrollment in at least twelve semester
hours or the equivalent.
f. "Part=time" means enrollment in at least six but less
than twelve semester hours or the equivalent.
2. Allowable activities. An eligible student may work
with an assigned volunteer mentor to help the student meet the
requirements of this section or the requirements of an eligible
program, identify and participate in work=based learning
opportunities with the approval of the eligible institution,
and make other career=related connections.
3. Grant limitations == requirements.
a. A full=time eligible student may receive a future ready
Iowa skilled workforce grant annually for not more than four
semesters, or the equivalent, or until the eligible student
earns a bachelor's degree under the program, whichever occurs
first. A part=time eligible student may receive the grant for
not more than eight semesters, or the equivalent, on a prorated
basis, or until the eligible student earns a bachelor's degree
under the eligible program, whichever occurs first.
b. The amount of a future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant
to a full=time eligible student shall be at least one thousand
dollars annually. The amount of a future ready Iowa skilled
workforce grant to a part=time eligible student shall be equal
to the amount that would be awarded to a full=time student
except that the commission shall prorate the amount based on
the recipient student's semester hour or equivalent enrollment.
c. A future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant shall be
awarded on an annual basis, requiring reapplication by an
eligible student each year. Payments under the grant shall be
allocated equally among the semesters, or the equivalent, and
paid upon certification by the eligible institution that the
student meets the requirements of subsection 1, paragraph "d".
d. If a grant recipient discontinues attendance before the
end of any semester, or the equivalent, after receiving grant
payments, the entire amount of any refund due that recipient,
up to the full amount of grant payments made during that
semester, or the equivalent, shall be paid by the eligible
institution to the commission.
4. Commission's duties and responsibilities. Subject to an
appropriation of funds by the general assembly for purposes of
this section, the commission shall administer the future ready
Iowa skilled workforce grant program and shall do all of the
following:
a. Provide application forms for distribution to students by
eligible institutions.
b. Adopt rules under chapter 17A, in collaboration with
the department of workforce development, for administration of
this section, including but not limited to establishing the
duties and responsibilities of eligible institutions under the
program; defining residence and satisfactory academic progress
for purposes of the program; and establishing procedures for
grant application, processing, and approval. The rules shall
provide for determining the priority awarding of grants if
funds available for purposes of this section are insufficient
to pay all eligible students. Priority shall be given to fully
awarding eligible students approved for grants based on the
date of application, rather than prorating grant awards among
all eligible students.
c. Approve and award grants on an annual basis.
d. Transmit to the department of workforce development the
compilation of information, data, and statistics submitted in
accordance with subsection 1, paragraph "b", subparagraph (7),
for the annual report required under section 84A.1B.
5. Fund created. A future ready Iowa skilled workforce
grant fund is created in the state treasury as a separate fund
under the control of the commission. All moneys deposited or
paid into the fund are appropriated and made available to the
commission to be used for grants awarded as provided under this
section. Notwithstanding section 8.33, any balance in the fund
on June 30 of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general
fund of the state, but shall be available for purposes of this
section in subsequent fiscal years.
Sec. 14. Section 261E.8, Code 2018, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 7A. Subject to an appropriation of funds
by the general assembly for this purpose, the department shall
establish a program to provide additional funds for resident
high school pupils enrolled in grades nine through twelve to
attend a community college for college=level classes or attend
a class taught by a community college=employed instructor
through a contractual agreement between a community college and
a school district that satisfies the requirements for classes
under section 257.11, subsection 3, except that the classes
eligible for funding under this program are offered during the
summer and outside of the regular school year and are aligned
with career pathways leading to postsecondary credentials and
high=demand jobs designated by the workforce development board
or a community college pursuant to section 84A.1B, subsection
13A. A community college shall not charge students tuition for
a class offered partially or completely outside of the regular
school year under this program.
Sec. 15. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act takes
effect July 1, 2019.
LINDA UPMEYER
CHARLES SCHNEIDE
CARMINE BOAL
KIM REYNOLDS
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