HB 1426 Summary

• Creates the "2020 Mississippi YouthBuild Pilot Program" with programs at Coahoma Community College and Jones County Junior College to provide job training, education, and housing rehabilitation opportunities for disadvantaged youth ages 16-24.

• Requires each college to apply for up to $1,100,000 in federal Department of Labor grants, with the Mississippi Department of Human Services providing the required 25% matching funds.

• Program participants receive 50% classroom instruction (math, language arts, vocational training, life skills) and 50% on-site construction training, plus counseling, leadership development, and a minimum wage stipend or living allowance.

• Participants must be economically disadvantaged and either lack a high school diploma, be at-risk dropouts, or be very low-income; up to 25% may be high school graduates with educational needs.

• Division of Family and Children's Services must submit a comprehensive report to the legislature by January 1, 2023, evaluating program effectiveness and recommending whether to expand YouthBuild to additional community and junior colleges statewide.