HB 1001 / Chamber Supports

Last year, House Enrolled Act 1002 was the vehicle for making good on House Speaker Todd Huston’s stated goal to “reinvent high school” in an effort to better prepare students for today’s workforce. The adopted bill included several Chamber-backed provisions aimed at: 1) expanding apprenticeship and related work-based learning opportunities; 2) aligning high school graduation requirements with postsecondary education and business/industry expectations; 3) enhancing career exploration and coaching support for students; and 4) providing flexible funding to help students participate in work-and-learn experiences and earn industry-recognized credentials during high school.

The last item on that list created Career Scholarship Accounts (CSA), a new state grant fund that provides high school students up to $5,000 for costs associated with work-based learning experiences, postsecondary coursework/credentials and related job training programs. Fast-forward to the 2024 session, and House Bill 1001 attempts to both refine and expand upon last year’s legislation. Proposed changes include allowing students to use CSA funds to obtain driver’s licenses (to remove job-related transportation barriers) and tap into state dollars (traditionally earmarked for college financial aid programs) to complete postsecondary coursework and earn industry-recognized credentials while still in high school. That later provision received significant pushback from Democrat lawmakers on the House Education Committee last week, but the bill passed on a 9-4 vote along party lines with the Chamber testifying in support.

Jason Bearce is vice president of education & workforce development for the Indiana Chamber. He has been with the organization since 2018 and previously held senior leadership positions at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana Department of Education.