SB 23-065

Senate Bill 23-065, also known as the Career Development Success Program, increases funding for career development programs in Colorado schools. It raises annual state funding from $1 million to $9.5 million and removes previous requirements that students complete apprenticeships or pre-apprenticeship programs to qualify for the program. Instead, it allows students who earn industry certificates through various training programs to benefit from the initiative. The bill also extends the program's operation until 2034 and lets schools partner with outside organizations to provide these career development services. This change will help more low-income students gain valuable industry certifications and improve their job prospects after graduation.

Official Summary

For the career development success program (program), the act removes the requirement for successful completion of a qualified industry pre-apprenticeship program and the requirement for successful completion of a qualified industry apprenticeship. The act adds boards of cooperative services to the program. Current law requires the general assembly to annually appropriate $1 million to the department of education for the program. Beginning in the 2023-24 budget year, and each budget year thereafter, the act increase the appropriation to $9.5 million. The act requires a school district or charter school participating in the program to receive 120% of the per-pupil amount for each pupil who is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and who successfully earned an industry certificate by completing a qualified industry-credential program, a qualified workplace training program, or a qualified advanced placement course. The act authorizes a participating school district or participating charter school to contract with a third party to provide specified services under the program. The act extends the repeal date from September 1, 2024, to September 1, 2034. APPROVED by Governor May 16, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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