The proposed bill introduces the Workforce-Education Partnership Act, which aims to encourage business owners in West Virginia to contract their employees to participate in vocational programs and high school classes. This initiative is designed to foster economic growth and workforce development while ensuring compliance with worker classification laws and maintaining educational employment standards. The bill outlines definitions for key terms such as "vocational programs," "high school classes," and "educational contract," and establishes a framework for business owners to contract their employees for educational purposes while retaining their employment status and benefits.

Additionally, the bill provides a tax credit for business owners who participate in this program, allowing them to claim 100% of the gross wages paid to employees engaged in educational activities, capped at $50,000 per tax year and a total of $5 million statewide per fiscal year. The legislation emphasizes fiscal responsibility by ensuring minimal administrative costs to the state and mandates that the West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue and the Department of Education oversee the program's implementation and compliance. The bill also includes provisions for reporting and transparency regarding tax credit utilization and the program's overall impact on workforce development.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11-13NN-1