Substitute Bill No. 311 aims to enhance the framework for addressing the needs of disconnected youth in Connecticut by replacing the "Preschool through Twenty and Workforce Information Network" (P20 WIN) with "Data Link Connecticut" (DataLinkCT). This change is reflected throughout the bill, particularly in the Chief Workforce Officer's authority to request data and the establishment of an integrated data system for state agencies. The bill mandates that all participating agencies provide necessary reports to the Chief Workforce Officer, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. Additionally, it expands the responsibilities of the Office of the Educational Ombudsperson to include data analysis on students and young people, while emphasizing collaboration with schools to address disparities in special education services.

The bill also introduces new requirements for higher education institutions to report program outcomes to DataLinkCT and establishes a Disconnected Youth Investment Grant program, effective July 1, 2026, to support community organizations in helping youth return to education and employment. It modifies student suspension policies, reducing the maximum suspension period from fifty to forty-five days and stipulating that out-of-school suspensions must be in-school unless specific circumstances arise. The bill outlines conditions for expunging suspension notices from educational records and mandates annual reporting from organizations receiving grant funding to ensure accountability. Overall, the bill seeks to create a more cohesive approach to supporting disconnected youth through improved data management and inter-agency collaboration.