Bill Amendment: MS HB562 | 2026 | Regular Session
Bill Title: Upskill Mississippi Grant Program; establish to provide last-dollar tuition assistance at community colleges for certain programs.
Status: 2026-04-08 - Approved by Governor [HB562 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HB562-Senate_Committee_Amendment_No_1.html
Pending
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO 1 PROPOSED TO
House Bill No. 562
BY: Committee
Amend by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
SECTION 1. Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "UPSKILL Mississippi Grant Program," an initiative designed to support Upgrading Priority Skills for Key Industry Learning and Labor through tuition-free access to workforce-aligned community and junior college programs.
SECTION 2. (1) The Legislature finds that establishing attainable workforce goals reflects Mississippi's commitment to creating a source of skilled workers to address workforce shortages and build a sustainable economic future, which begins with investing in education programs that meet the needs of both employers and communities. Mississippi's workforce development goals focus on equipping its citizens with the skills necessary to meet the demands of high-growth, high-demand industries. Such goals include the following:
(a) Expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities;
(b) Align education and training with emphasis on Mississippi's high-value pathways and/or priority occupations, as identified by Accelerate Mississippi, targeting industries with workforce shortages;
(c) Address workforce shortages in rural areas;
(d) Promote lifelong learning and upskilling;
(e) Support economic resilience through public-private partnerships;
(f) Increase access to funding and support services; and
(g) Focus on data-driven workforce solutions.
(2) Therefore, the intent of the Legislature is to:
(a) Provide funding to the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid to establish a grant program for the purposes outlined herein;
(b) Provide tuition-free access to community colleges for enrollment in programs that are aligned with Mississippi's high-value pathways and/or priority occupations, as identified by Accelerate Mississippi, which result in a certificate or degree, ensuring a source of skilled workers to meet the state's economic demands; and
(c) To gauge the effectiveness of this program by gathering data related to participation and employment outcomes.
SECTION 3. (1) There is established the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant Program, which shall be administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, for the purpose of providing grants to eligible recipients to cover tuition and fees associated with attending a Mississippi public community or junior college for the length of time required to earn a certificate or associate degree in an eligible program. This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature.
(2) As used in this act, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Accelerate Mississippi" means the Office of Workforce Development.
(b) "Office" means the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.
(c) "Eligible institution" means any Mississippi public community college.
(d) "Eligible recipient" means a person who:
(i) Has been a resident of Mississippi for at least two (2) years prior to application for participation in the Mississippi Workforce Promise Grant Program and continues to physically reside in the state;
(ii) Is a United States citizen or a lawful, permanent resident;
(iii) Has a high school diploma, GED or equivalent;
(iv) Is enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program at a Mississippi community college;
(v) Has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualifies as an independent student on the basis of age and is at least twenty-four (24) years of age;
(vi) Has completed the Mississippi Aid Application and submitted all required supporting documents by the deadline established in rules promulgated by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board; and
(vii) Maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the administering institution.
(3) The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid shall:
(a) Serve as the fiscal agent in administering the program;
(b) With the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, promulgate rules and regulations for administering the program;
(c) Establish an annual application and application process;
(d) Receive and review applications;
(e) Inform each eligible recipient of the amount of his or her award, which shall equal the student's outstanding tuition and fees after other gift aid, plus a book/material stipend of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per year;
(f) Disburse funds to eligible institutions on behalf of eligible recipients upon verification of enrollment in an eligible program;
(g) Use no more than five percent (5%) of the funds allocated for this section for the administration of the program; and
(h) Include the program in its annual report to the Legislature. The report shall contain a detailed explanation of how the funds appropriated for the program were awarded, how many students have participated in the program, and their education and employment outcomes where available.
(4) Eligible institutions shall:
(a) Provide the following support services to grant recipients:
(i) Assign an advisor or success coach to contact each grant recipient a minimum of three (3) times per term to assist with enrollment, financial aid, career planning, or other topics as needed to support program continuation and completion;
(ii) Enroll each recipient in Mississippi Works;
(iii) Provide career integration by creating program maps aligning eligible programs with careers and connect grant recipients to paid practicums or apprenticeships where possible;
(iv) Identify alternative funding sources, such as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds, to provide up to Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) per term per grant recipient in emergency aid, childcare stipends or transportation assistance (bus vouchers or gas cards);
(v) When possible, offer flexible program delivery, such as evening, weekend, and online program participation;
(vi) Utilize data and early alert systems to support recipients.
(b) Report to the office each term:
(i) Student COA;
(ii) Federal grants received;
(iii) Institutional grants received;
(iv) Other grants received;
(v) Loans received;
(vi) Work Study received;
(vii) Degree/credential earned; and
(viii) Program CIP code.
(5) Accelerate Mississippi shall annually provide a list of eligible programs based on priority sectors and occupations to the office, which shall use the list to determine the eligibility of applicants.
SECTION 4. (1) The timeline for program implementation will be as follows:
(a) Year One - At the commencement of the Spring Semester of 2027, administer a limited pilot program.
(b) Year Two - Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, administer a full pilot program.
(c) Year Three - Beginning with the 2028-2029 academic year, fully implement the program.
(2) The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid shall be authorized to develop each phase of the program.
SECTION 5. Sections 5 through 19 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Building Regional Infrastructure for Diverse Growth in Education (BRIDGE) Act."
SECTION 6. (1) The Legislature finds that Mississippi's public education system must respond to diverse and evolving student needs through regional collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
(2) The Legislature further finds that:
(a) Students with disabilities, learning differences, and specialized instructional needs require evidence-based educational models delivered at sufficient scale; and
(b) Students pursuing workforce pathways require expanded access to high-quality, regionally aligned career and technical education and training opportunities.
(3) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a cohesive statutory framework under which the State Department of Education may develop regional, replicable special-purpose school models, while maintaining distinct policy tracks tailored to different student populations and workforce needs.
SECTION 7. As used in this article:
(a) "Department" means the State Department of Education.
(b) "Local education agency" or "LEA" means a school district or other public entity authorized to operate schools in Mississippi.
(c) "Special-needs students" include students diagnosed with dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), students with plans under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and related services, or students requiring specialized instructional supports or related services.
(d) "Special-purpose school" means a public school or public program designed to deliver specialized instruction, intervention, related services, and workforce training to students with special needs.
SECTION 8. (1) The Legislature finds that school districts across Mississippi face persistent shortages of qualified special-education teachers, credentialed dyslexia therapists, certified behavioral specialists, and related service providers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, which limits the ability of local education agencies to fully meet student needs and comply with state and federal requirements.
(2) The purpose of this article is to establish a statewide framework for the development of regional special-purpose schools serving students with special needs, including students with dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and Section 504 plans.
SECTION 9. (1) The department shall conduct a statewide study and planning process for the development of regional special-purpose schools serving students with special needs.
(2) The study shall be statewide in scope and shall not be limited to any single geographic region.
(3) The department shall evaluate models under which regional special-purpose schools may:
(a) Operate as standalone public schools;
(b) Operate in partnership with one or more local education agencies;
(c) Operate in collaboration with public universities, community colleges, or other public postsecondary institutions;
(d) Operate as a public charter school, consistent with Mississippi law; or
(e) Operate in collaboration with any combination of the models described in this subsection (3).
SECTION 10. (1) Not later than October 1, 2026, the department shall submit a written report to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees.
(2) The report shall include:
(a) An assessment of regional and statewide need;
(b) Identification of LEAs willing to partner;
(c) Identification of universities and community colleges willing to partner;
(d) Recommended governance and accountability structures;
(e) Staffing needs, including credentialed dyslexia therapists and certified behavioral specialists;
(f) Workforce pipeline and training opportunities;
(g) Estimated costs and funding sources; and
(h) A phased pilot implementation plan.
SECTION 11. The department may recommend one or more pilot regional special-purpose schools serving students with special needs, giving special consideration to locations in counties in which there is no municipality with a population exceeding fifteen thousand (15,000) persons according to the latest federal decennial census.
SECTION 12. Programs under this article shall align with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and state dyslexia laws and regulations.
SECTION 13. The purpose of this article is to establish a statewide framework for the development of regional special-purpose schools focused on career and technical education and workforce training.
SECTION 14. As used in this article:
(a) "Accelerate Mississippi" means the state workforce development entity charged with coordinating statewide workforce strategy.
(b) "Department" means the State Department of Education.
(c) "Career and technical education" or "CTE" means organized programs providing academic knowledge, technical skills, employability skills, and industry-recognized credentials.
(d) "Local education agency" or "LEA" means a school district or other public entity authorized to operate schools in Mississippi.
(e) "Special-purpose school" means a public school or public program designed to deliver career and technical education, workforce training, industry-aligned instruction, and credential pathways.
SECTION 15. (1) The department shall conduct a statewide study and planning process for regional CTE special-purpose schools.
(2) The department shall coordinate with Accelerate Mississippi, the Mississippi Community College Board, and other relevant agencies.
(3) The department shall evaluate operational models, including LEAs, charters, postsecondary institutions, employers, and hybrid partnerships.
(4) Not later than January 1, 2027, the department shall publish a district guide on expanding regional CTE partnerships.
SECTION 16. (1) Not later than October 1, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the House and Senate Education and Workforce Development Committees.
(2) The report shall include:
(a) Workforce demand analysis informed by Accelerate Mississippi;
(b) Partnering districts and institutions;
(c) Employer participation;
(d) Governance and performance metrics;
(e) Staffing needs;
(f) Cost estimates and funding sources;
(g) Perkins V alignment; and
(h) Pilot recommendations.
SECTION 17. The department may recommend one or more pilot regional CTE special-purpose schools, prioritized by workforce demand, and giving special consideration to locations in counties in which there is no municipality with a population exceeding fifteen thousand (15,000) persons according to the latest federal decennial census.
SECTION 18. Programs under this article shall align with the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) and existing state workforce strategies.
SECTION 19. Sections 7 through 18 of this act shall be codified in a new chapter in Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972. Sections 7 through 12 of this act shall be codified as a separate article in the new chapter. Sections 13 through 18 of this act shall be codified as a separate article in the new chapter.
SECTION 20. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2026.
Further, amend by striking the title in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
AN ACT TO CREATE THE UPSKILL MISSISSIPPI GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT UPGRADING PRIORITY SKILLS FOR KEY INDUSTRY LEARNING AND LABOR THROUGH TUITION-FREE ACCESS TO WORKFORCE-ALIGNED COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGE PROGRAMS; TO STATE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO STATE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID IN ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SUPPORT SERVICES TO GRANT RECIPIENTS; TO REQUIRE ACCELERATE MISSISSIPPI TO ANNUALLY PROVIDE A LIST OF ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS BASED ON PRIORITY SECTORS AND OCCUPATIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION ON A PHASED SCHEDULE; TO ENACT THE BUILDING REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DIVERSE GROWTH IN EDUCATION (BRIDGE) ACT; TO ESTABLISH A UNIFIED STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL SPECIAL PURPOSE SCHOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI; TO CREATE TWO DISTINCT PROGRAMS ADDRESSING SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING; TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT STATEWIDE STUDIES, ISSUE GUIDANCE, AND REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
