Senate Bill No. 1114, also known as Public Act No. 25-21, introduces significant revisions to Connecticut's higher education statutes, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill mandates the Technical Education and Career System board to evaluate and recommend enhancements for certification and degree programs to better align with industry demands. It also emphasizes the utilization of technical education facilities during after-school and weekend hours, clarifying the terminology by replacing "after school" with "after-school." Additionally, the bill establishes a Council of Advisors on Strategies for the Knowledge Economy to promote university-industry collaborations and guide innovation grants, while modifying the Early Childhood Cabinet's composition to ensure diverse stakeholder representation. Local education boards are required to inform high school seniors and their parents about admission opportunities under the Connecticut Automatic Admissions Program, and various terminology updates are made for consistency in legal language.

The bill further amends pupil expulsion procedures and educational scholarship programs, ensuring that no pupil can be expelled without a formal hearing, with specific notification requirements for parents or guardians. It allows for postponement of expulsion hearings to secure legal representation and mandates that notices include information about the pupil's legal rights. Scholarship recipients' parents or guardians can use demonstration scholarships at compliant public or private schools, which must meet educational and safety standards. The bill also streamlines the governance and financing processes for the University of Connecticut, modifies the criteria for professional licensing by clarifying the definition of "good character," and revises license expiration terms for marital and family therapist associates. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance student rights, improve educational standards, and refine the regulatory framework for professional licensing and workforce programs.