1. (a) As used in this section, "high skill, high wage, or in demand industry sectors or occupations" means sectors or occupations identified by the state pursuant to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) and applicable state and local workforce development processes.

2. (b) The governor and the department, in consultation with the commission for higher education (established by IC 21-18-2-1 ) shall do the following:

   1. (1) Establish a process to identify eligible workforce training programs that prepare students for high skill, high wage, or in demand industry sectors or occupations for workforce Pell grants.

   2. (2) Establish a process for institutions and programs to:

      1. (A) apply for recognition as an eligible workforce training program;
      2. (B) be approved for workforce Pell grants; and
      3. (C) appeal denials of workforce Pell grants.

   3. (3) Coordinate certification and oversight of eligible workforce training programs with:

      1. (A) workforce focused agencies;
      2. (B) workforce related programs; and
      3. (C) state and federal programs.

   4. (4) Require eligible workforce training programs to provide data required under applicable federal workforce Pell grant regulations, including:

      1. (A) program completion rates;
      2. (B) job placement rates; and
      3. (C) graduate earnings.
3. (c) The department shall ensure that the implementation of this section does not impose requirements more restrictive than, or inconsistent with, any applicable federal rules governing the workforce Pell grant program.

As added by P.L.159-2026, SEC.30.