SB 195: Workforce Development - Utah

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a new Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to coordinate apprenticeship programs across state agencies and authorizes the Utah Board of Higher Education to participate in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program. It also adds new protected record categories for student data and expands the list of protected records in the state's open records law. Additionally, the bill amends the 'First Credential' program to include youth apprenticeships as a pathway for earning certificates and modifies the 'Participating State Agency Access' section to clarify data sharing protocols.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of youth apprenticeship coordination to include a new governance council and extends the applicability of the Workforce Pell Grant program to Utah institutions of higher education.

SCOPE

Created a new Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to strengthen collaboration between state agencies, education providers, and employers for youth apprenticeship programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Authorized the Utah Board of Higher Education to participate in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program by delegating approval authority from the governor.

Modified the 'First Credential' program to allow students to earn a certificate by completing 300 hours in a youth apprenticeship program that includes industry-recognized credentials.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Industry-recognized credential' and 'Master credential list' to standardize the criteria for approved credentials.

Amended the list of protected records to include personally identifiable student enrollment, completion, employment, and earnings data obtained under the Workforce Pell Grant program.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Utah Board of Higher Education to provide wage record data to the Department of Workforce Services for program monitoring.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a citation error in the 'Participating State Agency Access' section, changing the reference from Section 53H-15-305 to Section 53H-15-306 regarding reporting requirements.

Amended 2/13/2026 11:02:455 → Substitute #1 · 1 edit

MINOR

This substitute bill streamlines the legislative text by removing redundant line numbers and formatting artifacts while preserving the core policy content. The substantive provisions regarding youth apprenticeships, workforce grants, and data privacy remain unchanged in effect.

Scope change

No change to the scope or applicability of the bill; the changes are purely cosmetic.

TECHNICAL

Removed legacy line numbers and formatting markers from the bill text to clean up the document structure.

Amended Excerpts 2/13/2026 11:02:455 → Amended 2/13/2026 11:02:455 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The document was reformatted from a list of specific line edits into a full legislative substitute bill structure. Substantively, the bill now establishes a new Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to coordinate programs across agencies and authorizes the governor to delegate approval authority for workforce programs to the Utah Board of Higher Education, enabling participation in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include the creation of a new governance council for youth apprenticeships and the formal delegation of program approval authority from the governor to the Board of Higher Education.

SCOPE

Established a new Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to coordinate youth apprenticeship programs across state agencies and education providers.

REQUIREMENT

Authorized the governor to delegate authority to approve eligible workforce programs to the Utah Board of Higher Education.

Created a First Credential Oversight Committee composed of industry representatives, education leaders, and workforce experts to develop a master plan for credentialing.

DEFINITION

Added detailed definitions for 'First credential,' 'Industry-recognized credential,' and 'Master credential list' to standardize program requirements.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/13/2026 11:02:455 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to coordinate apprenticeship programs across state agencies and creates a mechanism for Utah to participate in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program. It also updates data sharing rules for the Utah Data Research Center and clarifies record classification definitions for public records. The changes aim to improve workforce development alignment, expand student financial aid options for specific programs, and enhance data privacy protections.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of youth apprenticeship coordination by creating a new council and authorizes the state to access federal funding through the Workforce Pell Grant program for eligible workforce programs.

SCOPE

Created the Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to strengthen collaboration between agencies, define program standards, and develop statewide strategies for youth apprenticeships.

FISCAL

Authorized the Utah Board of Higher Education to participate in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, allowing students in approved workforce programs to receive federal financial assistance.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the authority to approve eligible workforce programs; the governor may now delegate this authority to the Utah Board of Higher Education, which must consult with the State Workforce Development Board.

Required the Department of Workforce Services to provide unemployment insurance wage record data to the Board of Higher Education to verify student outcomes for federal grant compliance.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Protected record' and 'Initial contact report' in the Government Records Access and Management Act to clarify what data is confidential and how law enforcement reports are handled.

TECHNICAL

Updated the Utah Data Research Center's reporting requirements and data sharing agreements to include operational transactional purposes and fee schedules for services.

Introduced → Enrolled · 7 edits · Mar 24, 2026

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to coordinate youth apprenticeship programs across state agencies and creates a 'First Credential' program to recognize industry certifications and apprenticeships as equivalent to college credits. It also authorizes the Utah Board of Higher Education to manage the federal Workforce Pell Grant program and expands the list of protected records to include student data used in workforce programs.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of workforce development by creating a new governance council and a new credentialing program that bridges high school, technical college, and industry training.

SCOPE

Created a new Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to coordinate youth apprenticeship programs across state agencies and education providers.

DEFINITION

Established a new 'First Credential' program that awards certificates for completing industry-recognized credentials, youth apprenticeships, or technical college certificates.

REQUIREMENT

Authorized the Utah Board of Higher Education to delegate approval authority for eligible workforce programs to participate in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program.

Authorized the Department of Workforce Services to provide wage record data to the Utah Board of Higher Education to calculate program completion and job placement rates.

Authorized the Utah Board of Higher Education to enter into interstate agreements allowing students to enroll in eligible workforce programs in other states.

ENFORCEMENT

Classified personally identifiable student data (enrollment, completion, employment, and earnings) obtained under the Workforce Pell Grant program as protected records.

TECHNICAL

Updated the list of affected Utah Code sections to reflect recent renumbering and amendments from the 2025 First Special Session.

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