HB 426

Requires the Community Colleges System Office (Office) to establish the Workforce Diploma Program (Program) for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to assist eligible students to obtain a high school diploma and develop employability and career and technical skills. Requires the Office to contract with each qualifying third-party entity to separately administer a statewide version of the Program. Sets out applicable definitions including the following: (1) eligible student means any adult 21 or older, is a resident of this state, who has not earned a high school diploma or its equivalent; (2) employability skills certification means a certificate earned by demonstrating professional nontechnical skills through assessment, including the program standards of the US Department of Labor's "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success""; and (3) qualifying third-party entity as an entity that meets all of the following requirements: (a) in the past five years: administered at least three statewide adult high school diploma programs outside of the State and maintained a graduation rate of at least 50% in the described program based on a two-year cohort beginning with the second cohort of the program; (b) is accredited by an external, regional accrediting agency; and (c) offers a course catalog that aligns with curriculum requirements for a high school diploma in this state. Requires that the Program: (1) provide one or more courses that help participants obtain a high school diploma and enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster, where course completion is competency-based; (2) assist participants in obtaining employment, including resume development and mock interviews; and (3) include at least the 11 specified components, including a plan for courses and credits needed for each participant that integrates graduation requirements and career goals, mentoring services, milestone tracking, remediation opportunities in literacy and numeracy, employability skills certifications, and career advising services."