HB 24-1392

House Bill 24-1392 limits a pilot program that provides state funding for low-income students who graduate early from high school and immediately enroll in postsecondary education or training. The bill restricts participation in the program to schools involved in the 2023-24 academic year but doesn’t limit the number of scholarships awarded. It also requires an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness and cost before deciding on its future beyond the pilot phase. Signed into law by the governor, it will take effect on August 7, 2024.

Official Summary

Current law creates the fourth-year innovation pilot program (pilot program) in the department of higher education (department) to disburse state funding to postsecondary education and training programs on behalf of low-income students who graduate early from a participating high school. The act limits pilot program participation to local education providers, groups of providers, and schools participating in the 2023-24 school year, but it does not cap the number of students who may receive postsecondary education scholarships through the pilot program. Current law requires the department to annually report to the department of education, the governor's office of state planning and budgeting, the joint budget committee, and the education committees of the general assembly certain information about the pilot program. The act adds a final evaluation component of the pilot program's data from each student cohort, the pilot program's outcomes and cost-effectiveness, and recommendations about any next steps beyond the pilot phase. APPROVED by Governor May 3, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes