Education (Career & Technical Education)

Amend KRS 156.160 to require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations for an alternate high school diploma and a modified high school diploma; specify requirements for alternate and modified high school diplomas; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require the Department of Workforce Development to identify, compile, and publish a list of employers willing to employ individuals possessing an alternate high school diploma; amend KRS 158.140, 164.787, and 164.7882 to conform.

HB 591 requires the Kentucky Department of Education to develop a career pathway focused on performing arts for inclusion in the state's career and technical education (CTE) programs. This bill directly affects Kentucky high school students by creating a new structured educational track in performing arts within existing CTE frameworks. The key mechanism mandates the Department to design this pathway through consultation with the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, ensuring it aligns with student needs and employer demands. The bill does not allocate new funding or change current programs but establishes a requirement for the Department to create this specific pathway.

Amend KRS 164.786 to include a proprietary school in the definition of "participating institution" for the purpose of the Dual Credit Scholarship Program; amend KRS 164.787 to include a proprietary school in the definition of "eligible institution" for the purpose of the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program.

Amend KRS 164.507 to allow the nonremarried spouse or a child under the age of 26 of a deceased veteran free tuition at public universities, colleges, or vocational training institutions for up to 128 credit hours of undergraduate instruction; amend KRS 164.515 to allow the spouse or a child under the age of 26 of a disabled veteran free tuition at public universities, colleges, or vocational training institutions for up to 128 credit hours of undergraduate instruction.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to establish the Adult Workforce Diploma Pilot Program; define terms; establish the Adult Workforce Diploma Pilot Program fund; establish eligibility criteria for the program; direct the Education and Labor Cabinet to administer the program; provide payments to program providers for students who complete specified milestones; require program result reporting to the Kentucky Board of Education, the Secretary of State, and the Legislative Research Commission; specify a program end date of July 1, 2029.