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 residing in a household with an income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program will only cover the cost of one exam per individual and will require applicants to provide documentation to verify their income.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law to allocate a portion of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to cover these exam fees. Specifically, it inserts language that allows for 5% of the fund to be used for paying fees associated with adult education assessments, including the high school equivalency exam. This funding mechanism aims to support low-income individuals in obtaining their high school diplomas, thereby enhancing their employment opportunities and educational prospects.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:15D-9