This bill mandates the establishment of a program by the State Board of Education to cover the fees for high school equivalency exams for low-income individuals within six months of the bill's effective date. A low-income individual is defined as someone living in a household with an income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program will only pay for one exam per individual and will specify the application process and required documentation for income verification.

Additionally, the bill amends the allocation of funds within the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to include provisions for paying the fees associated with adult education assessment exams. Specifically, it allows for 5.5% of the fund to be used for this purpose, alongside other designated allocations for employment and training services. The bill aims to enhance access to education for low-income individuals by alleviating the financial burden of high school equivalency exams.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:15D-9