AN ACT relating to lifelong learning and adult education.
     Create a new section of KRS Chapter 151B to state the intent to improve the knowledge and skills of Kentucky's undereducated adults; amend KRS 164.003 to require by 2020 a system of providers that delivers educational services to significantly reduce the percentage of adults who are undereducated; amend KRS 164.020, relating to the Council on Postsecondary Education's duties for setting a vision for adult education; amend KRS 164.0203, relating to the strategic agenda for postsecondary education, to expand its purpose to lifelong learning and adult education; amend KRS 164.035 to require that the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Department of Adult Education and Literacy, provide technical assistance, training, and other support to assist in the development of regional strategies for lifelong learning, adult education, and workforce development; amend KRS 164.7879, relating to the Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarship program to require the Council on Postsecondary Education to review options for making a base award to Kentucky residents with a General Educational Development diploma; repeal KRS Chapter 151B.142, reenact it as a new section of KRS Chapter 164, and amend it to require the Council on Postsecondary Education to administer the adult education and literacy initiative fund for the purpose of supporting county and regional strategies for lifelong learning and adult education, and to provide a system of statewide initiatives for excellence, and to provide research and development funds; create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to require a statewide adult education and literacy learning network serving each county in the state by July 1, 2002, that includes a single comprehensive coordinating entity for each county, although one coordinating entity may serve more than one county; create a new section of KRS Chapter 151B to require the Department for Adult Education and Literacy to enter into long-term agreements with the comprehensive coordinating entities; require the department to create and implement a funding formula policy with approval of the council to ensure all counties have access to core adult education and literacy services; amend KRS 151B.410 to authorize the department to promulgate administrative regulations and administer a statewide adult education and literacy learning network; require the department to create an awareness program in cooperation with the Administrative Office of the Courts to ensure awareness of the provisions of KRS 533.200 and the methods to access adult education and literacy programs for persons sentenced under that statute; amend KRS 158.360, to require the department to provide technical assistance to the comprehensive coordinating entity in each county or the subcontractor to develop family literacy services; delete specific references and funding processes that describe Parent and Child for Family Independence Programs; create a new section of KRS Chapter 18A to require that any new hire in state service after August 1, 2000, shall have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent or show progress toward obtaining a high school equivalency diploma, or be enrolled in an educational program, and be progressing satisfactorily; require the Personnel Cabinet to provide incentives to encourage those hired before August 1 and who do not have a credential to get one; create a new section of KRS Chapter 64 to require that any new hire in county service after August 1, 2000, shall have at least a high school diploma or General Educational Development diploma or show progress toward obtaining a diploma; create a new section of KRS Chapter 151B to require the Department for Adult Education and Literacy to promulgate administrative regulations to provide incentives to full-time employees who complete a General Educational Development program within 1 year and to their employers; require the administrative regulation to address learning contracts, procedures for establishing the learning contracts, attendance, and final reports; provide a one-time cash bonus of $500 to a person who has been out of school at least 5 years who completes a General Educational Development program or allow the student to choose free tuition for one semester at one of Kentucky’s public postsecondary institutions; provide an employer a state income tax credit for a portion of the released time given to the employee to study for the General Educational Development diploma; amend KRS 154.12-204 definitions relating to the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation grant-in-aid programs to include retail in the definition of "business and industry" and to add “basic skills” in lieu of “entry level;" amend KRS 154.12-2084, relating to Bluegrass State Skills Corporation, to change the definition of educational institution to include services to adult persons without a high school diploma or its equivalent; repeal KRS 159.051 and reenact it to require that any student under age of 18 who drops out of school or withdraws shall not obtain or retain a driver’s license unless the student is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a General Educational Development program; provide definitions, procedures, and responsibilities for implementing this statute; amend KRS 151B.120, 151B.023, 151B.405, 157.360, 164.7879, 186.440, 186.450, and 186.560 to conform; repeal KRS 151B.0235 and 151B.140.

     (Prefiled by the sponsor(s))

     Jan 4-introduced in House; to Education (H)