_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT revising the state-level strengthening career and technology student organizations program; revising the allocation of funding between the career and technology student organizations and providing purposes for distributed funds; establishing reporting requirements; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AMENDING SECTION 20-7-320, MCA; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 20-7-320, MCA, is amended to read:

"20-7-320. State-level strengthening career and technology student organizations. (1) There is a state-level strengthening career and technology student organizations program.

(2)        The purposes of the program are to:

(a)        strengthen Montana's career and technology student organizations by increasing graduation rates, enhancing student leadership opportunities, developing workforce skills, and facilitating transitions to postsecondary education and employment for all participating students;

(b)        ensure alignment of activities of local career and technology student organizations with nationally affiliated programs and activities; and

(c)        provide a base of funding for the statewide coordination of state-approved career and technology student organizations.

(3)        To be eligible for funding under this section, each state-approved career and technology student organization must be affiliated with a respective national career and technology student organization and be appropriately incorporated as a Montana nonprofit organization in compliance with state law and regulations regarding operations and financial reporting by May 1, 2013.

(4)        The superintendent of public instruction shall distribute funds appropriated for grants to state-approved career and technology student organizations by November 1. Each grant recipient must receive a base amount of funding to support the position of state director for the organization, not to exceed $75,000.

(5)        The superintendent of public instruction shall supervise and coordinate the program by establishing procedures and criteria for review and approval of grants to state-approved career and technology student organizations.

(6)        Proposals submitted to the superintendent of public instruction by career and technology student organizations must contain:

(a)        a program description, including measurable objectives;

(b)        evidence of hiring a state director and a plan for expanding student leadership skills;

(c)        evidence of appropriate activities that will serve to achieve the program objectives; and

(d)        a method to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

(7)        Career and technology student organizations may request assistance from the staff of the superintendent of public instruction in formulating program proposals.

(8)        Additional or remaining funds appropriated for the purposes of this section may be allocated to shall be allocated evenly between state-approved career and technology student organizations pursuant to policies adopted under 20-7-301 for the purposes of:

(a)        supporting career and technology student organizations and meeting program purposes under subsection (2);

(b)        increasing participation in career and technology student organizations through efforts including but not limited to:

(i)         efforts to increase participation in rural areas and in nonpublic and home schools; and

(ii)        efforts to make online chapters and opportunities available;

(c)        increasing certifications, credentials, training, dual enrollment opportunities, internships and apprenticeships, career exploration, and job shadows offered or attained through career and technology student organizations; and

(d)        increasing support from private partnerships, including private industry and workforce support for career and technology student organizations.

(9)        A career and technology student organization receiving funds through this program shall file an annual report with the office of public instruction, in a form prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction, that specifies how the funds were expended for the purposes under subsection (8) and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and measurable objectives pursuant to the proposal submitted under subsection (6). The superintendent of public instruction shall report, in accordance with 5-11-210, to the education interim committee with a summary of reports received under this subsection.

(9)(10)  As used in this section, "career and technology student organization" means an organization for students enrolled in a state-approved career and technology program that engages in career and technology education activities as an integral part of the instructional program."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Appropriation. (1) There is appropriated $1.5 million from the general fund to the office of public instruction for each fiscal year of the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, for the state-level strengthening career and technology student organizations program pursuant to 20-7-320.

(2)        The legislature intends that the appropriation in this section be considered part of the ongoing base for the next legislative session.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.