House Bill No. 849, introduced by Representative Brass, aims to expand the eligible programs for the M.J. Foster Promise Program to include those associated with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) projects. The bill amends existing law to require the Louisiana Workforce Commission's advisory council to meet annually and as needed to address workforce needs related to LED projects. It also mandates that the council prioritize programs linked to these projects when selecting qualified programs, which are defined as those offering credentials and degrees aligned with high-demand, high-wage jobs. Additionally, the bill establishes an expedited review process for programs related to urgent workforce needs, ensuring that the review takes no longer than 45 days.

The legislation also includes provisions for the secretaries of LED and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to play active roles in maintaining a list of priority programs and notifying the council of new projects requiring workforce support. Furthermore, the Board of Regents is authorized to enter into data-sharing agreements with LED and the Workforce Commission to facilitate the selection of qualified programs and the creation of new associate degree programs. The bill repeals a specific provision from existing law, streamlining the eligibility requirements and enhancing the focus on workforce development in alignment with economic growth initiatives in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
HB395 Original: 17:1(C), 17:2(A)(13)
HB395 Engrossed: 17:1(C), 17:2(A)(13)