HB 1425 Summary: Mississippi Workforce Development Act

• Establishes the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development with five ex officio members from key state agencies and an advisory group representing diverse stakeholders including businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

• Requires the council to develop a comprehensive five-year state workforce development plan addressing training needs, program evaluation, and coordination among workforce agencies; plan becomes state policy unless legislature enacts contrary legislation.

• Mandates council to conduct biennial assessments of workforce training demand and supply, establish core data collection standards, perform outcome and cost-benefit evaluations of training programs, and make recommendations for program modifications or elimination.

• Creates state strategic plan for health care personnel supply and requires local workforce development councils to develop unified plans aligned with economic development efforts in their regions.

• Brings forward numerous existing workforce-related statutes for possible amendment, including unemployment insurance provisions, community college workforce programs, job training funds, and career-technical education requirements.