LAWS OF DELAWARE
VOLUME 83
CHAPTER 211
151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FORMERLY
SENATE SUBSTITUTE NO. 1
FOR
SENATE BILL NO. 65
AS AMENDED BY
SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend Chapter 34, Title 19 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 3404. Focus on Alternative Skills Training Program.
(a) This section establishes the Focus on Alternative Skills Training Program (“FAST”) within the Division of Employment and Training. FAST provides tuition for an eligible individual for an approved non-degree credit certificate program that provides industry-accepted skill training and certification.
(b) An individual must provide proof of all of the following to be eligible for FAST:
(1) That the individual is a resident of Delaware.
(2) That the individual has attained any of the following:
a. A diploma from a Delaware public, charter, or nonpublic high school, or homeschool.
b. A Diploma of Alternate Achievement Standards under § 152 of Title 14.
c. A Delaware secondary credential.
(3) That the individual enrolled in an approved non-degree credit certificate program no later than 24 months after graduating from high school.
(4) If employed, a statement from the individual’s employer providing the amount of financial assistance the employer paid toward tuition for the non-degree credit certificate program.
(c)(1) The Workforce Development Board, or its successor, shall maintain a list of non-degree credit certificate programs approved for FAST. The list of non-degree credit certificate programs approved for FAST must be updated annually.
(2) The Workforce Development Board must include the following criteria in the decision to approve a non-degree credit certificate program for FAST:
a. The skill requirements of employers in the State, including the skill needs of an in-demand industry sector or occupation in the State.
b. The job placement rate for graduates.
(d) A FAST payment under this section must be made as follows:
(1) The total amount of FAST payments for each eligible individual may not exceed $10,000.
(2) A FAST payment may not pay an individual’s tuition for longer than 12 months, but multiple tuition payments may be made on behalf of an individual.
(3) The FAST payment is equal to the difference between the full amount of tuition charged by the non-degree credit certificate program and any financial assistance the individual received.
(4) FAST payments must be paid on a first-come, first-served basis.
(5) The FAST program is subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose. This subsection does not create a right or entitlement in an individual to receive a monetary payment under the compensation program.
(e) The Department of Labor may adopt policies and procedures to implement this section.
Section 2. This Act is effective upon enactment and is to be implemented the earlier of the following:
(1) One year from the date of the Act’s enactment.
(2) Upon promulgation of the list of approved non-degree credit certificate programs under § 3404(c) of Title 19 and the Secretary of the Department of Labor providing notice to the Registrar of Regulations, published in the Register of Regulations, that this contingency has been fulfilled.
Section 3. Section 3404 of Title 19 expires 2 years after the Act’s enactment into law, unless terminated or extended by subsequent action of the General Assembly.
Section 4. The money appropriated to implement this Act, not to exceed $1 million, shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of funds in the General Fund of the State of Delaware not otherwise appropriated or eligible federal funds.
Approved September 30, 2021