Florida Senate - 2023                                    SB 1142
       
       
        
       By Senator Thompson
       
       
       
       
       
       15-01583A-23                                          20231142__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Workforce Education Facilities
    3         Grant Program; creating s. 1013.739, F.S.; creating
    4         the Workforce Education Facilities Grant Program
    5         within the Department of Education; providing the
    6         purpose of the program; providing for the award of
    7         grants through the program, subject to legislative
    8         funding; providing requirements for the use of grant
    9         funds; providing requirements for certain workforce
   10         education programs; authorizing the State Board of
   11         Education to adopt rules; providing an effective date.
   12          
   13  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   14  
   15         Section 1. Section 1013.739, Florida Statutes, is created
   16  to read:
   17         1013.739 Workforce Education Facilities Grant Program.—
   18         (1) The Workforce Education Facilities Grant Program is
   19  created within the Department of Education. The grant program is
   20  created to provide one-time grants to school districts to
   21  provide upgrades and additions to school facilities for
   22  workforce education programs.
   23         (2) Subject to legislative funding, the department shall
   24  provide a one-time grant award to school districts, on a first
   25  come, first-served basis and in a format prescribed by the
   26  department. Such award must be used to fund upgrades to school
   27  facilities or the construction of new school facilities which
   28  must be used for workforce education. The workforce education
   29  offered in such facilities must:
   30         (a) Include programs that provide training for trades or
   31  occupations in high-paying, high-demand fields and industries in
   32  the area.
   33         (b) Lead to an industry certification or credential.
   34         (3) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
   35  administer the program.
   36         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.