Bill Text: MS HB220 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Vocational Education and Technology Camp; create pilot program at Itawamba Community College for Lee/Monroe County students.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2020-03-03 - Died In Committee [HB220 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2020-HB220-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Universities and Colleges
By: Representative Thompson
House Bill 220
AN ACT TO CREATE THE 2021 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY CAMP AS A PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LEE AND MONROE COUNTIES TO VARIOUS VOCATIONAL CAREERS AND AVAILABLE TRAINING; TO REQUIRE THE CAMP TO BE HELD ON THE TUPELO CAMPUS OF ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE; TO REQUIRE THE COLLEGE, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, TO DEVELOP THE PARTICULARS OF THE CAMP AND TO CREATE AN APPLICATION PROCESS; TO REQUIRE THE CAMP TO BE FREE OF CHARGE FOR PARTICIPANTS; TO REQUIRE ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON THE CAMP TO CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES IF THE LEGISLATURE HAS APPROPRIATED FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMP; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) Subject to the availability of funding appropriated specifically for such purpose, there is created the 2021 Vocational Education and Technology Camp as a pilot program for students in Grades 9 through 12 in Lee and Monroe Counties. The purpose of camp will be to stimulate interest in and expose participants to careers in heating and air conditioning (HVAC), carpentry, plumbing, electricity, masonry and such other vocations that are essential within every community.
(2) Itawamba Community College, in conjunction with one or more local school districts selected by the college, shall develop a one-week day camp program designed to introduce students to vocational careers and the training that is available to equip students to become skilled and employable in an array of jobs in the regional as well as global job market. During the camp, students must be provided onsite hands-on instruction to increase the students' awareness of different training programs that students may pursue while still enrolled in high school and after graduation.
(3) The 2021 Vocational Education and Technology Camp will be held on the Tupelo campus of Itawamba Community College. Students entering Grades 9 through 12 in Lee or Monroe County, regardless of the school they attend, may apply for acceptance to the camp. In developing the camp, the college shall determine the maximum number of students which may be selected for participation and the criteria that must be used when selecting participants. The criteria and process must be nondiscriminatory in nature and may not refuse admission on the basis of race, color, age, disability, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or prior academic achievement. Before a student is accepted for participation, the student's parent, guardian or custodian must submit written authorization agreeing to the student's participation.
(4) Itawamba Community College shall determine the dates of the camp and, in its discretion, may elect to schedule more than one (1) camp.
(5) No less than six (6) months before a camp is scheduled to begin, Itawamba Community College shall provide all high schools in Lee and Monroe Counties with information advertising the camp and the process by which an interested student may apply for participation.
(6) Attendance at the camp must be free of charge to student participants; however, students are responsible for transportation to and from the campus each day during the camp. Itawamba Community College may accept and use any monies that may be made available to it for the purpose of funding the costs of establishing and operating the camp, including funds made available by the Legislature, grants, gifts, devises or donations from any public or private source.
(7) If the Legislature has appropriated funding for the support of the 2021 Vocational Education and Technology Camp, Itawamba Community College shall submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Education and Universities and Colleges on the camp. The report must be submitted before January 1, 2022, and must include data on the number of participants, the impact the camp may have had on influencing participants to pursue training and a career in one (1) of the vocations included in the camp agenda, and whether or not the camp should be expanded to other community and junior colleges throughout the state.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.
