House Bill No. [insert number] enacts the Louisiana Workforce Development Equity and Opportunity Act, establishing Chapter 11-B of Title 23 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. This legislation aims to address the underrepresentation of African American and other minority workers in high-growth sectors such as clean energy, information technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. The Act creates the Louisiana Workforce Equity and Opportunity Program, which will provide grants to training providers and direct financial support to targeted participants—individuals from underrepresented groups with low household incomes. The program will also establish employer partnerships to facilitate guaranteed interview pathways for graduates and develop supplemental support services to overcome barriers to training completion.

The Act outlines the responsibilities of the Louisiana Works department in administering the program, including awarding competitive grants to training providers, prioritizing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and community colleges, and establishing an Industry Advisory Council to guide curriculum and hiring needs. Funding for the program is set at $10 million annually, with specific allocations for training provider grants, participant support, and administrative costs. Additionally, the department is required to establish performance metrics for funded programs and submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program outcomes and recommendations for improvement.