MS HB459

Establishes the "Twenty-first Century Mississippi Training Initiative" administered by the State Department of Education, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and Mississippi Department of Employment Security, beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year.

Program targets secondary, postsecondary, and workforce training students in STEM, language arts, education, and healthcare fields, particularly in low-performing "D" and "F" rated school districts, with satellite locations in each of Mississippi's four congressional districts.

Eligible students must meet income requirements (not exceeding 200% of federal poverty level), demonstrate academic aptitude, and may receive up to $1,000 annual stipends for each year of program completion; program includes 8 weeks of summer instruction and minimum 6 hours weekly during the school year.

Allocates $10,000,000 from the Workforce Training Fund to support program implementation and establishes the "Mississippi Training Initiative Fund" to cover startup and operational costs.

Creates the "Qualified School Personnel Forgivable Loan Program" providing loans covering up to six three-hour academic courses annually to school employees pursuing teacher certification in critical shortage areas and failing school districts.