The bill establishes the "Career Development Success Pilot Project" as a three-year initiative within the Public Education Department aimed at enhancing student enrollment and completion of career development programs. It introduces financial incentives for school districts that successfully promote these programs, with participating districts eligible to receive between $250 and $750 for each student who completes a career development program. The bill outlines the administration of the pilot project, including the identification of career development programs, the establishment of tiered financial incentives, and the solicitation of school districts for participation.
Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting requirements to assess the project's effectiveness, including data on participating districts, student demographics, and program outcomes. A dedicated fund, the "Career Development Success Pilot Project Fund," is created to manage the appropriated $1.5 million from the general fund for the project's duration. Any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year 2028 will revert to the general fund. The bill aims to evaluate the impact of financial incentives on student preparedness for the workforce and includes provisions for a final report with legislative recommendations by December 31, 2028.