Florida Senate - 2024                       CS for CS for SB 460
       
       
        
       By the Appropriations Committee on Education; the Committee on
       Education Pre-K -12; and Senators Simon and Perry
       
       
       
       
       602-03144-24                                           2024460c2
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to career and technical education;
    3         amending s. 446.021, F.S.; revising the definition of
    4         the term “journeyworker”; amending s. 450.061, F.S.;
    5         providing an exemption for minors to work in specified
    6         conditions; amending s. 489.117, F.S.; conforming a
    7         cross-reference; amending ss. 489.1455 and 489.5335,
    8         F.S.; requiring counties and municipalities to
    9         recognize certain persons as journeymen for specified
   10         occupations if such persons meet specified criteria;
   11         deleting provisions authorizing a local government to
   12         charge a specified registration fee; amending s.
   13         1001.43, F.S.; providing an alternative to career
   14         fairs through other career and industry networking
   15         opportunities; amending s. 1003.41, F.S.; revising a
   16         list of individuals who are required to review and
   17         comment on certain revisions to the state academic
   18         standards; making technical changes; amending s.
   19         1003.4282, F.S.; revising the requirements for certain
   20         credits and certifications to meet specified
   21         graduation requirements; specifying the date by which
   22         the Department of Education must convene a specified
   23         work group; making a technical change; repealing s.
   24         1004.015, F.S., relating to the Florida Talent
   25         Development Council; amending s. 1004.91, F.S.;
   26         expanding an exemption from a requirement for
   27         completion of a career education program basic skills
   28         examination; amending ss. 14.36, 1001.02, 1001.706,
   29         and 1009.8962, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes
   30         made by the act; creating the Career and Technical
   31         Education Task Force adjunct to the Department of
   32         Commerce; providing the purpose of the task force;
   33         providing the membership and duties of the task force;
   34         requiring the task force to submit a report and
   35         recommendations to certain officials by specified
   36         dates; providing for expiration of the task force;
   37         providing an effective date.
   38          
   39  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   40  
   41         Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 446.021, Florida
   42  Statutes, is amended to read:
   43         446.021 Definitions of terms used in ss. 446.011-446.092.
   44  As used in ss. 446.011-446.092, the term:
   45         (4) “Journeyworker” means a person working in an
   46  apprenticeable occupation who has successfully completed a
   47  registered and state-approved apprenticeship program or who has
   48  worked the number of years required by established industry
   49  practices for the particular trade or occupation and, if
   50  required for the specific industry, has passed the appropriate
   51  state-approved industry test.
   52         Section 2. Subsection (2) of section 450.061, Florida
   53  Statutes, is amended to read:
   54         450.061 Hazardous occupations prohibited; exemptions.—
   55         (2) A no minor under 18 years of age, regardless of whether
   56  such person’s disabilities of nonage have been removed, may not
   57  shall be employed or permitted or suffered to work in any of the
   58  following places of employment or in any of the following
   59  occupations, provided that the provisions of paragraphs (b),
   60  (e), (g), (h), (j), (m), (o), and (q) do shall not apply to the
   61  employment of student learners under the conditions prescribed
   62  in s. 450.161:
   63         (a) In or around explosive or radioactive materials.
   64         (b) On any scaffolding, roof, superstructure, residential
   65  or nonresidential building construction, or ladder above 6 feet.
   66  A minor 16 or 17 years of age may be employed on any residential
   67  building construction if:
   68         1.The minor 16 or 17 years of age has earned his or her
   69  Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 certification
   70  and is under the direct supervision of a person who:
   71         a.Has earned his or her Occupational Safety and Health
   72  Administration 10 certification.
   73         b.Is 21 years of age or older.
   74         c.Has at least 2 years of work experience related to the
   75  work he or she is supervising.
   76         2.The minor 16 or 17 years of age is not working on any
   77  scaffolding, roof, superstructure, or ladder above 6 feet.
   78         3.The work being performed by the minor 16 or 17 years of
   79  age is not in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act
   80  of 1938, any Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule,
   81  or federal law related to minors in the workplace.
   82         (c) In or around toxic substances or corrosives, including
   83  pesticides or herbicides, unless proper field entry time
   84  allowances have been followed.
   85         (d) Any mining occupation.
   86         (e) In the operation of power-driven woodworking machines.
   87         (f) In the operation of power-driven hoisting apparatus.
   88         (g) In the operation of power-driven metal forming,
   89  punching, or shearing machines.
   90         (h) Slaughtering, meat packing, processing, or rendering,
   91  except as provided in 29 C.F.R. s. 570.61(c).
   92         (i) In the operation of power-driven bakery machinery.
   93         (j) In the operation of power-driven paper products and
   94  printing machines.
   95         (k) Manufacturing brick, tile, and like products.
   96         (l) Wrecking or demolition.
   97         (m) Excavation operations.
   98         (n) Logging or sawmilling.
   99         (o) Working on electric apparatus or wiring.
  100         (p) Firefighting.
  101         (q) Operating or assisting to operate, including starting,
  102  stopping, connecting or disconnecting, feeding, or any other
  103  activity involving physical contact associated with operating, a
  104  tractor over 20 PTO horsepower, any trencher or earthmoving
  105  equipment, fork lift, or any harvesting, planting, or plowing
  106  machinery, or any moving machinery.
  107         Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
  108  489.117, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  109         489.117 Registration; specialty contractors.—
  110         (4)(a)1. A person whose job scope does not substantially
  111  correspond to either the job scope of one of the contractor
  112  categories defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o), or the job scope of
  113  one of the certified specialty contractor categories established
  114  by board rule, is not required to register with the board. A
  115  local government, as defined in s. 163.211, may not require a
  116  person to obtain a license, issued by the local government or
  117  the state, for a job scope which does not substantially
  118  correspond to the job scope of one of the contractor categories
  119  defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o) and (q) or authorized in s.
  120  489.1455 s. 489.1455(1), or the job scope of one of the
  121  certified specialty contractor categories established pursuant
  122  to s. 489.113(6). A local government may not require a state or
  123  local license to obtain a permit for such job scopes. For
  124  purposes of this section, job scopes for which a local
  125  government may not require a license include, but are not
  126  limited to, painting; flooring; cabinetry; interior remodeling
  127  when the scope of the project does not include a task for which
  128  a state license is required; driveway or tennis court
  129  installation; handyman services; decorative stone, tile, marble,
  130  granite, or terrazzo installation; plastering; pressure washing;
  131  stuccoing; caulking; and canvas awning and ornamental iron
  132  installation.
  133         2. A county that includes an area designated as an area of
  134  critical state concern under s. 380.05 may offer a license for
  135  any job scope which requires a contractor license under this
  136  part if the county imposed such a licensing requirement before
  137  January 1, 2021.
  138         3. A local government may continue to offer a license for
  139  veneer, including aluminum or vinyl gutters, siding, soffit, or
  140  fascia; rooftop painting, coating, and cleaning above three
  141  stories in height; or fence installation and erection if the
  142  local government imposed such a licensing requirement before
  143  January 1, 2021.
  144         4. A local government may not require a license as a
  145  prerequisite to submit a bid for public works projects if the
  146  work to be performed does not require a license under general
  147  law.
  148         Section 4. Section 489.1455, Florida Statutes, is amended
  149  to read:
  150         489.1455 Journeyman; reciprocity; standards.—
  151         (1) Counties and municipalities must recognize a person as
  152  a journeyman are authorized to issue journeyman licenses in the
  153  plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical, or HVAC trades if he or she
  154  meets the following requirements:.
  155         (2)An individual who holds a valid, active journeyman
  156  license in the plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical, or HVAC
  157  trades issued by any county or municipality in this state may
  158  work as a journeyman in the trade in which he or she is licensed
  159  in any county or municipality of this state without taking an
  160  additional examination or paying an additional license fee, if
  161  he or she:
  162         (1)(a) Has scored at least 70 percent, or after October 1,
  163  1997, at least 75 percent, on a proctored journeyman Block and
  164  Associates examination or other proctored examination approved
  165  by the board for the trade in which he or she is licensed;
  166         (2)(b) Has completed a registered and state-approved an
  167  apprenticeship program as defined in s. 446.021(6) or has at
  168  least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training in his or her specific
  169  trade registered with a registration agency defined in 29 C.F.R.
  170  s. 29.2 and demonstrates 4 years’ verifiable practical
  171  experience in the trade for which he or she is licensed, or
  172  demonstrates 6 years’ verifiable practical experience in the
  173  trade for which he or she is licensed; and
  174         (3)(c) Has satisfactorily completed specialized and
  175  advanced module coursework approved by the Florida Building
  176  Commission, as part of the building code training program
  177  established in s. 553.841, specific to the discipline or,
  178  pursuant to authorization by the certifying authority, provides
  179  proof of completion of such coursework within 6 months after
  180  such certification.; and
  181         (d)Has not had a license suspended or revoked within the
  182  last 5 years.
  183         (3)A local government may charge a registration fee for
  184  reciprocity, not to exceed $25.
  185         Section 5. Section 489.5335, Florida Statutes, is amended
  186  to read:
  187         489.5335 Journeyman; reciprocity; standards.—
  188         (1) Counties and municipalities must recognize a person as
  189  a journeyman are authorized to issue journeyman licenses in the
  190  electrical and alarm system trades if he or she meets the
  191  following requirements:.
  192         (2)An individual who holds a valid, active journeyman
  193  license in the electrical or alarm system trade issued by any
  194  county or municipality in this state may work as a journeyman in
  195  the trade in which he or she is licensed in any other county or
  196  municipality of this state without taking an additional
  197  examination or paying an additional license fee, if he or she:
  198         (1)(a) Has scored at least 70 percent, or after October 1,
  199  1997, at least 75 percent, on a proctored journeyman Block and
  200  Associates examination or other proctored examination approved
  201  by the board for the trade in which he or she is licensed;
  202         (2)(b) Has completed a registered and state-approved an
  203  apprenticeship program as defined in s. 446.021(6) or has at
  204  least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training in his or her specific
  205  trade registered with a registration agency defined in 29 C.F.R.
  206  s. 29.2 and demonstrates 4 years’ verifiable practical
  207  experience in the trade for which he or she is licensed, or
  208  demonstrates 6 years’ verifiable practical experience in the
  209  trade for which he or she is licensed; and
  210         (3)(c) Has satisfactorily completed specialized and
  211  advanced module coursework approved by the Florida Building
  212  Commission, as part of the building code training program
  213  established in s. 553.841, specific to the discipline or,
  214  pursuant to authorization by the certifying authority, provides
  215  proof of completion of such curriculum or coursework within 6
  216  months after such certification.; and
  217         (d)Has not had a license suspended or revoked within the
  218  last 5 years.
  219         (3)A local government may charge a registration fee for
  220  reciprocity, not to exceed $25.
  221         Section 6. Paragraph (c) of subsection (14) of section
  222  1001.43, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  223         1001.43 Supplemental powers and duties of district school
  224  board.—The district school board may exercise the following
  225  supplemental powers and duties as authorized by this code or
  226  State Board of Education rule.
  227         (14) RECOGNITION OF ACADEMIC AND CAREER ACHIEVEMENT.—
  228         (c) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each district
  229  school board shall require each high school within its
  230  jurisdiction to host an annual career fair during the school
  231  year and establish a process to provide students in grades 11
  232  and 12 the opportunity to meet or interview with potential
  233  employers during the career fair. The career fair must be held
  234  on the campus of the high school, except that a group of high
  235  schools in the district or a group of districts may hold a joint
  236  career fair at an alternative location to satisfy the
  237  requirement in this paragraph. A joint career fair must be held
  238  at a location located within reasonable driving distance for
  239  students at all participating schools. The career fair must be
  240  held during the school day and may use Florida’s online career
  241  planning and work-based learning system as part of the career
  242  fair activities. Alternatively, district school boards may
  243  consult with local workforce development boards, advisory
  244  committees, and business groups to determine free or cost
  245  effective methods to provide other career and industry
  246  networking opportunities during the school day for secondary
  247  students and exposure for elementary and secondary students to a
  248  representative variety of industries, businesses, and careers.
  249  
  250  District school board policies and procedures may include
  251  conducting assemblies or other appropriate public events in
  252  which students sign actual or ceremonial documents accepting
  253  scholarships or enrollment. The district school board may
  254  encourage holding such events in an assembly or gathering of the
  255  entire student body as a means of making academic and career
  256  success and recognition visible to all students.
  257         Section 7. Subsection (3) of section 1003.41, Florida
  258  Statutes, is amended to read:
  259         1003.41 State academic standards.—
  260         (3) The Commissioner of Education shall, as deemed
  261  necessary needed, shall develop and submit proposed revisions to
  262  the standards for review and comment by Florida educators,
  263  school administrators, representatives of the Florida College
  264  System institutions and state universities who have expertise in
  265  the content knowledge and skills necessary to prepare a student
  266  for postsecondary education and careers, a representative from
  267  the Department of Commerce, business and industry leaders for
  268  in-demand careers, and the public. The commissioner, after
  269  considering reviews and comments, shall submit the proposed
  270  revisions to the State Board of Education for adoption.
  271         Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) and subsection
  272  (10) of section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, are amended to
  273  read:
  274         1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school diploma.—
  275         (7) CAREER EDUCATION COURSES THAT SATISFY HIGH SCHOOL
  276  CREDIT REQUIREMENTS.—
  277         (a) Participation in career education courses engages
  278  students in their high school education, increases academic
  279  achievement, enhances employability, and increases postsecondary
  280  success. The department shall develop, for approval by the State
  281  Board of Education, multiple, additional career education
  282  courses or a series of courses that meet the requirements set
  283  forth in s. 1003.493(2), (4), and (5) and this subsection and
  284  allow students to earn credit in both the career education
  285  course and courses required for high school graduation under
  286  this section and s. 1003.4281.
  287         1. The state board must determine at least biennially
  288  whether if sufficient academic standards are covered to warrant
  289  the award of academic credit, including satisfaction of
  290  graduation, assessment, and state university admissions
  291  requirements under this section.
  292         2. Career education courses must:
  293         a. Include workforce and digital literacy skills.
  294         b. Integrate required course content with practical
  295  applications and designated rigorous coursework that results in
  296  one or more industry certifications or clearly articulated
  297  credit or advanced standing in a 2-year or 4-year certificate or
  298  degree program, which may include high school junior and senior
  299  year work-related internships or apprenticeships. The department
  300  shall negotiate state licenses for material and testing for
  301  industry certifications.
  302  
  303  The instructional methodology used in these courses must
  304  comprise authentic projects, problems, and activities for
  305  contextual academic learning and emphasize workplace skills
  306  identified under s. 445.06.
  307         3. A student who earns credit upon completion of 1 year of
  308  related technical instruction for an apprenticeship program
  309  registered with the Department of Education under chapter 446 or
  310  preapprenticeship program registered with the Department of
  311  Education under chapter 446 may use such credit to satisfy the
  312  high school graduation credit requirements in paragraph (3)(e)
  313  or paragraph (3)(g). The state board shall approve and identify
  314  in the Course Code Directory the apprenticeship and
  315  preapprenticeship programs from which earned credit may be used
  316  pursuant to this subparagraph.
  317         4. The State Board of Education shall, by rule, establish a
  318  process that enables a student to receive work-based learning
  319  credit or credit in electives for completing a threshold level
  320  of demonstrable participation in extracurricular activities
  321  associated with career and technical student organizations.
  322  Work-based learning credit or credit in electives for
  323  extracurricular activities or supervised agricultural
  324  experiences may not be limited by grade level.
  325         (10) CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CREDIT.—The Department
  326  of Education shall convene a workgroup, no later than December
  327  1, 2024, to:
  328         (a) Identify best practices in career and technical
  329  education pathways from middle school to high school to aid
  330  middle school students in career planning and facilitate their
  331  transition to high school programs. The career pathway must be
  332  linked to postsecondary programs.
  333         (b) Establish three mathematics pathways for students
  334  enrolled in secondary grades by aligning mathematics courses to
  335  programs, postsecondary education, and careers. The workgroup
  336  shall collaborate to identify the three mathematics pathways and
  337  the mathematics course sequence within each pathway which align
  338  to the mathematics skills needed for success in the
  339  corresponding academic programs, postsecondary education, and
  340  careers.
  341         Section 9. Section 1004.015, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
  342         Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
  343  1004.91, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  344         1004.91 Requirements for career education program basic
  345  skills.—
  346         (3)(a) The following students may be exempted from this
  347  section:
  348         1. An adult student with a disability may be exempted from
  349  this section.
  350         2.A student who possesses a high school diploma from a
  351  private school that is in compliance with s. 1002.42, or, for a
  352  student in a home education program, a signed affidavit
  353  submitted by the student’s parent or legal guardian attesting
  354  that the student has completed a home education program pursuant
  355  to the requirements of s. 1002.41.
  356         Section 11. Paragraph (j) of subsection (3) of section
  357  14.36, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  358         14.36 Reimagining Education and Career Help Act.—The
  359  Reimagining Education and Career Help Act is created to address
  360  the evolving needs of Florida’s economy by increasing the level
  361  of collaboration and cooperation among state businesses and
  362  education communities while improving training within and equity
  363  and access to a more integrated workforce and education system
  364  for all Floridians.
  365         (3) The duties of the office are to:
  366         (j) Direct the objectives of the Talent Development Council
  367  established in s. 1004.015.
  368         Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
  369  1001.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  370         1001.02 General powers of State Board of Education.—
  371         (3)(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt a strategic
  372  plan that specifies goals and objectives for the state’s public
  373  schools and Florida College System institutions. The plan shall
  374  be formulated in conjunction with plans of the Board of
  375  Governors in order to provide for the roles of the universities
  376  and Florida College System institutions to be coordinated to
  377  best meet state needs and reflect cost-effective use of state
  378  resources. The strategic plan must clarify the mission
  379  statements of each Florida College System institution and the
  380  system as a whole and identify degree programs, including
  381  baccalaureate degree programs, to be offered at each Florida
  382  College System institution in accordance with the objectives
  383  provided in this subsection and the coordinated 5-year plan
  384  pursuant to paragraph (2)(v). The strategic plan must cover a
  385  period of 5 years, with modification of the program lists after
  386  2 years. Development of each 5-year plan must be coordinated
  387  with and initiated after completion of the master plan. The
  388  strategic plans must specifically include programs and
  389  procedures for responding to the educational needs of teachers
  390  and students in the public schools of this state and consider
  391  reports and recommendations of the Florida Talent Development
  392  Council pursuant to s. 1004.015 and the Articulation
  393  Coordinating Committee pursuant to s. 1007.01. The state board
  394  shall submit a report to the President of the Senate and the
  395  Speaker of the House of Representatives upon modification of the
  396  plan and as part of its legislative budget request.
  397         Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
  398  1001.706, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  399         1001.706 Powers and duties of the Board of Governors.—
  400         (5) POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ACCOUNTABILITY.—
  401         (b) The Board of Governors shall develop a strategic plan
  402  specifying goals and objectives for the State University System
  403  and each constituent university, including each university’s
  404  contribution to overall system goals and objectives. The
  405  strategic plan must:
  406         1. Include performance metrics and standards common for all
  407  institutions and metrics and standards unique to institutions
  408  depending on institutional core missions, including, but not
  409  limited to, student admission requirements, retention,
  410  graduation, percentage of graduates who have attained
  411  employment, percentage of graduates enrolled in continued
  412  education, licensure passage, nondegree credential attainment,
  413  average wages of employed graduates, average cost per graduate,
  414  excess hours, student loan burden and default rates, faculty
  415  awards, total annual research expenditures, patents, licenses
  416  and royalties, intellectual property, startup companies, annual
  417  giving, endowments, and well-known, highly respected national
  418  rankings for institutional and program achievements.
  419         2. Consider reports and recommendations of the Florida
  420  Talent Development Council under s. 1004.015 and the
  421  Articulation Coordinating Committee under s. 1007.01, and the
  422  information provided by the Labor Market Statistics Center
  423  within the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Labor
  424  Market Estimating Conference.
  425         3. Include student enrollment and performance data
  426  delineated by method of instruction, including, but not limited
  427  to, traditional, online, and distance learning instruction.
  428         4. Include criteria for designating baccalaureate degree
  429  and master’s degree programs at specified universities as high
  430  demand programs of emphasis. Once the criteria are available and
  431  applicable to baccalaureate degrees and graduate degrees, the
  432  Board of Governors shall adopt the criteria to determine value
  433  for and prioritization of degree credentials and degree programs
  434  established by the Credentials Review Committee under s. 445.004
  435  for designating high-demand programs of emphasis. The Board of
  436  Governors must review designated programs of emphasis, at a
  437  minimum, every 3 years to ensure alignment with the
  438  prioritization of degree credentials and degree programs
  439  identified by the Credentials Review Committee.
  440         5. Include criteria for nondegree credentials.
  441         Section 14. Paragraph (b) of subsection (9) of section
  442  1009.8962, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  443         1009.8962 Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE)
  444  Fund.—
  445         (9)
  446         (b) Annually, by February 1, each institution awarded grant
  447  funds in the previous fiscal year shall submit a report to the
  448  Board of Governors or Department of Education, as applicable,
  449  that demonstrates the expansion as outlined in the proposal and
  450  the use of funds. At minimum, the report must include, by
  451  program level, the number of additional nursing education
  452  students enrolled; if scholarships were awarded using grant
  453  funds, the number of students who received scholarships and the
  454  average award amount; and the outcomes of students as reported
  455  by the Florida Talent Development Council pursuant to s.
  456  1004.015(6).
  457         Section 15. (1)The Career and Technical Education Task
  458  Force, a task force as defined in s. 20.03(5), Florida Statutes,
  459  is created adjunct to the Department of Commerce to study the
  460  status of career and technical education in each school district
  461  within the state. Except as otherwise provided in this section,
  462  the task force shall operate in a manner consistent with s.
  463  20.052, Florida Statutes. The department shall provide
  464  administrative and staff support relating to the functions of
  465  the task force.
  466         (2)The Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker
  467  of the House of Representatives, the Commissioner of Education,
  468  the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Corrections, and the
  469  Secretary of Juvenile Justice shall each appoint two members to
  470  the task force by September 1, 2024. The commissioner shall
  471  appoint the chair of the task force.
  472         (3)The task force shall do all of the following:
  473         (a)Compile a list of career and technical education
  474  courses offered within each school district. Such data must be
  475  broken down by industry, grade level, location, the number of
  476  students enrolled in such courses, the number of students who
  477  complete such courses, and the total number of students per
  478  district enrolled in such courses.
  479         (b)Compile a list of career and technical education
  480  courses offered through the Department of Corrections and the
  481  Department of Juvenile Justice. Such data must be broken down by
  482  location, population, industry course offering, the number of
  483  students enrolled in each course, and the number of students who
  484  complete such courses.
  485         (c)Identify the total funding provided for the career and
  486  technical education courses offered by school districts and
  487  analyze whether such funding is uniform across the state or if
  488  such funding varies by geography, course, or industry.
  489         (d)Identify the total funding provided for the career and
  490  technical education courses offered by the Department of
  491  Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
  492         (e)Compare funding and reimbursement rates and timelines
  493  for career and technical education courses to funding and
  494  reimbursement rates and timelines for traditional K-12 education
  495  courses.
  496         (f)Identify any additional funding available for
  497  additional career and technical education courses, including
  498  federal funding, industry funding, or additional state funding.
  499         (g)Identify how career and technical education courses are
  500  advertised to parents and students.
  501         (h)Identify the needs of school districts to expand career
  502  and technical education, including what needs could be met by
  503  the Legislature.
  504         (i)Identify the number of students who earn an industry
  505  certification through career and technical education courses who
  506  also find employment in relevant industries.
  507         (j)Review existing postsecondary credits available for K
  508  12 career and technical education course offerings and how this
  509  information is advertised to students and parents.
  510         (k)Compare existing career and technical education course
  511  offerings with data from the Department of Commerce and industry
  512  leaders about in-demand careers and the state’s economic needs.
  513         (l)Provide recommendations for changes and expansions to
  514  career and technical education course offerings beginning in the
  515  2026-2027 school year.
  516         (m)Provide recommendations for increasing funding,
  517  eliminating barriers to expanding career and technical education
  518  offerings, and streamlining regulations.
  519         (n)Provide recommendations for improving the marketing of
  520  career and technical education offerings to students and
  521  parents.
  522         (4)The task force shall submit to the Governor, the
  523  President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
  524  Representatives, and the Secretary of Commerce a report of its
  525  findings by September 1, 2025. The task force shall submit to
  526  the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the
  527  House of Representatives, and the Secretary of Commerce its
  528  recommendations by January 1, 2026. This section shall expire
  529  upon submission of the recommendations.
  530         Section 16. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.