Senate Bill No. 305, proposed by Senator Edmonds and Representative Freiberg, mandates the Board of Regents, in collaboration with Louisiana Works and other relevant state agencies, to create and maintain a publicly accessible statewide dashboard that aligns postsecondary degree programs with workforce outcomes in Louisiana. This dashboard aims to assist prospective and current students, policymakers, and postsecondary institutions by providing critical information on career outcomes, program alignment with workforce needs, and enhancing program design to meet labor market demands. The dashboard will include various data points such as degree completion rates, employment outcomes, wage ranges, and alignment with high-demand occupations, ensuring that the information is regularly updated and presented in an understandable format.

Additionally, the bill retains existing provisions requiring Louisiana Works to conduct annual return on investment analyses related to industry-based credentials. It expands these responsibilities by requiring the Board of Regents and Louisiana Works to develop procedures for collecting and analyzing data on work-based learning experiences, such as internships and apprenticeships. This data will encompass details like whether the experiences are paid or unpaid, their duration, and their alignment with registered programs. The bill emphasizes the importance of capturing work-based learning credits and outlines the need for data-sharing agreements while ensuring compliance with privacy laws. The effective date for these provisions is set for August 1, 2026.