The bill, Substitute Senate Bill No. 389, aims to modify the distribution of youth employment and training funds managed by the Connecticut Department of Labor. It establishes a new allocation formula for these funds, which will now be distributed to regional workforce development boards based on data-driven criteria rather than fixed percentages. Specifically, the new formula will consider the number of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, the number of economically disadvantaged youth, and the number of at-risk students in each region. This change is intended to better reflect the needs of the youth population served by these programs.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the services provided under this program are targeted at individuals aged fourteen to twenty-four. The previous statutory percentages allocated to specific workforce development boards have been repealed, allowing for a more flexible and responsive funding approach. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and does not have any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as the program is already supported by the General Fund.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-3mm
APP Joint Favorable Substitute: 31-3mm
File No. 649: 31-3mm