CS for SB 98 Summary

• Creates the Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help within the Governor's office to coordinate and improve the state's workforce development system, including establishing a workforce opportunity portal and "no-wrong-door-entry" strategy for workforce programs.

• Renames the Workforce Estimating Conference to the Labor Market Estimating Conference and redefines its role to focus on real-time supply and demand analysis in Florida's labor markets, including identification of in-demand occupations by wage level.

• Establishes a Credentials Review Committee within CareerSource Florida to identify and approve credentials of value (apprenticeships, certifications, degrees) for inclusion on a Master Credentials List that guides workforce education funding and program development.

• Creates three new workforce programs: the workforce opportunity portal for program access and data, the Open Door Grant Program providing grants for short-term workforce training, and the Money-Back Guarantee Program requiring refunds if graduates cannot find jobs within 6 months.

• Requires local workforce development boards to meet performance standards graded by the state, disclose compensation information publicly, and implement performance-based contracts while removing certain auditing authority of the Auditor General.