House Bill No. [insert number] aims to align the eligibility requirements for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Tech and TOPS Tech Early Start awards with the M.J. Foster Promise Program's qualified programs. The bill amends R.S. 17:5002(D)(1) and 5081(B)(1) to replace references to state workforce priorities determined by the Board of Regents and the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council with the term "qualified programs" as defined by an advisory council established under R.S. 17:3047.1. This change ensures that students enrolled in eligible public colleges or universities can receive awards based on the new criteria, allowing them to continue using their awards even if their program is later deemed misaligned with previous priorities.

Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for the TOPS-Tech Early Start Award, which is available to 11th and 12th-grade students in Louisiana public high schools. The proposed law stipulates that the award can be used for courses leading to industry-based certifications or vocational education credentials, provided these courses are from the list of "qualified programs" as determined by the advisory council. The changes will take effect for awards starting in the 2026-2027 school year and will be enacted upon the governor's signature or after the designated time for gubernatorial action.

Statutes affected:
HB161 Original: 17:5002(D)(1), 17:5081(B)(1)