Idaho House Bill 19 - Summary

• Establishes the Idaho Launch Grant Program administered by the workforce development council to provide education grants of at least $8,500 per eligible student pursuing in-demand careers.

• Eligible students must be Idaho residents graduating from accredited high schools beginning with spring 2024 class, complete a career pathway plan using Next Steps Idaho, and enroll in eligible institutions (public postsecondary, community colleges, or accredited private non-profit organizations).

• Creates the In-Demand Careers Fund to support grant awards, with excess annual appropriations (up to $10 million) available for enhanced grants prioritized by in-demand career pursuit and financial need.

• Ends new awards under the Postsecondary Credit Scholarship Program (ending June 1, 2024) and the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Program (ending July 1, 2023), with these programs becoming null and void on specified sunset dates.

• Redirects excess Advanced Opportunities Program funds to the In-Demand Careers Fund; requires participants to expend grants within four years with limited annual spending caps and provisions for extensions based on extenuating circumstances.