This bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to create a funding mechanism for residential construction workforce training. It allows municipalities to charge an optional fee of up to $10 on residential permits, which would be collected and deposited into a new state account. Money from this account would be used to award grants to nonprofits, educational institutions, and local governments for training programs, apprenticeships, and equipment. A key provision requires that these grants be directed to counties where the original permit fees were collected to support local housing needs. The bill also mandates detailed annual reports on how the funds are spent and the outcomes of the training programs.
This bill creates the CareerBound Program to connect Pennsylvania students with high-priority job opportunities through school-to-work partnerships. It establishes a formal framework where schools, local workforce boards, and businesses collaborate to provide career exploration, relevant curriculum, and workplace exposure for students. The legislation also creates a tax credit program to encourage businesses to participate in these partnerships by offering financial incentives for hiring students in high-demand occupations. State agencies including the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program and oversee its implementation.
SB 428, known as the General Appropriation Act of 2025, allocates funds from the state's General Fund to support various agencies within the Executive Department. It provides money for their expenses, such as salaries, services, and equipment, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and also covers any unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year. For instance, the bill specifically appropriates $15 million for workforce development programs managed by the Department of Community and Economic Development. Any unspent funds will lapse at the end of the fiscal year.
HB 780 creates a tuition assistance program for early childhood educators in Pennsylvania. It provides grants to cover tuition costs (minus other financial aid) for individuals pursuing associate degrees or certifications in early childhood education, targeting those earning under 400% of the federal poverty level, enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester, and working 25+ hours weekly in approved early childhood programs. Recipients must agree to work in Pennsylvania early childhood education for two years after completing their program. Funding comes from a new state fund, with annual reports tracking enrollment, retention, wages, and job demand. The program aims to support workforce development in early childhood education through financial assistance tied to service commitments.
SB 69 establishes a temporary pilot program called "Recovery-to-work" within Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry to help individuals recovering from drug or alcohol substance use disorders gain employment. The program requires local workforce development boards to create local pilot initiatives focused on job training, career readiness skills, and recovery support services, partnering with businesses and treatment providers. Businesses that participate receive incentives, and the program leverages existing funds like the Opioid Settlement Account and Reemployment Fund. Local programs must include support services providers, secure business partner commitments, and target in-demand local jobs with industry-recognized credentials. The bill mandates annual reporting to evaluate effectiveness and ensure accountability.
SB 614 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to establish a state-funded initiative supporting workforce development for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which are community health centers serving rural and underserved areas. The bill directly affects FQHCs by providing funding to recruit and retain primary care staff, addressing documented shortages in these facilities. Key provisions include creating a dedicated funding stream within the state budget specifically for FQHC workforce expansion, with appropriations to cover hiring and training costs. This policy change aims to strengthen primary care access in communities with limited healthcare resources through targeted financial support.
SB 101 amends Pennsylvania's Workforce Development Act to improve data access and accountability for local workforce boards. It requires these boards to use new hire and unemployment data (from the state's new hire database) when developing local plans, while allowing written exemption requests. The bill mandates a state-developed "data dashboard" displaying workforce data (like job placements and wages) in an accessible format, with free technical assistance provided by the Department of Labor and Industry. These changes directly affect local workforce development boards, the Department of Labor, and agencies using workforce data for program evaluation and reporting. Funding for the dashboard and technical assistance comes exclusively from the state's unemployment compensation reemployment fund.
HB 421 prohibits Pennsylvania employers from requiring employees to sign training repayment agreements as a condition of employment. The bill directly affects workers who might otherwise be forced to repay training costs if they leave a job, excluding government employers and agreements under collective bargaining. It makes such agreements void and unenforceable, with the Department of Labor and Industry empowered to investigate violations. Employers violating the law face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, increasing to $25,000 per affected employee for repeat offenses. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 455 establishes Pennsylvania's "Building a Better Future Grant Program" to fund organizations providing education and workforce training to young adults aged 16-24 who are disconnected from education. The program targets organizations serving youth from low-income backgrounds with specific vulnerabilities (e.g., foster care, disability, homelessness, or school dropout) and requires grantees to offer at least two services like job training, career counseling, or high school equivalency support. The Department of Labor and Industry will administer $5 million in state funding (from the General Fund) to award grants of up to $1 million per organization, with 5% reserved for statewide technical assistance. This directly affects eligible young adults and qualifying local organizations focused on construction, healthcare, and other in-demand vocational fields.
