1. (1) The board shall develop and implement a plan that creates clear educational pathways:

   1. (a) from a technical college to a degree-granting institution;
   2. (b) in course work leading to a qualifying job or a qualifying degree as described in Section 53H-11-415; and

   3. (c) for high schools that offer criminal justice or protective services pathways programs, including information on:

      1. (i) available concurrent enrollment classes in subjects described in Section 53H-11-403; and
      2. (ii) scholarship opportunities for careers as peace officers as defined in Section 53H-11-306.
2. (2) The plan shall maximize efficiencies in transferring earned credit and help align academic programs with workforce needs.

3. (3) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the board may make rules necessary to establish:

   1. (a) a plan described in this section; and
   2. (b) the job requirements related to regional pathway coordinators funded by the Legislature related to this section and as described in Subsection (4).

4. (4) Under the direction of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, regional pathway coordinators shall:

   1. (a) collaborate with regional secondary and postsecondary professionals in:

      1. (i) concurrent enrollment;
      2. (ii) career and technical education; and
      3. (iii) workforce development;

   2. (b) coordinate regional responsibilities with the professionals described in Subsection (4)(a) for programming that aligns work between:

      1. (i) the statewide college and career mapping efforts;
      2. (ii) the Utah First Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310; and
      3. (iii) related pathway initiatives, including those described in this section;

   3. (c) support implementation of:

      1. (i) the Utah First Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310; and
      2. (ii) future programming aligned with updates related to and within the Utah First Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310;

   4. (d) as the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education requests, contribute to the development of:

      1. (i) the Utah First Credential Master Plan described in Section 53E-10-310;
      2. (ii) the master credential list described in Section 53E-10-310; and

      3. (iii) related Utah First Credential program elements described in Section 53E-10-310, including:

         1. (A) alignment of the first credential framework with college and career mapping;
         2. (B) regional needs assessments;
         3. (C) landscape analyses;
         4. (D) definitions and assessment tools; and
         5. (E) statewide reporting frameworks; and
   5. (e) provide required reporting on institutional and regional outcomes related to key performance indicators the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education establishes.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8, 2025 Special Session 1