MS HB1556

Establishes the Mississippi Connecting Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) Program directed by the Office of Workforce Development to provide tuition-free community college attendance for career and technical education (CTE) programs leading to associate degrees or industry certifications in high-wage, high-demand industries.

Eligible recipients must be recent high school graduates who enroll full-time in an eligible CTE program within twelve months of completing secondary education, have Mississippi residency for at least one year, be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and have not previously earned an associate or bachelor's degree.

Recipients must commit to working in their industry sector within Mississippi for a period of time prescribed by the Office of Workforce Development; failure to comply requires repayment of all funds received plus interest at the maximum allowed rate.

The Office of Workforce Development serves as fiscal agent and disburses funds to eligible community colleges on a semester basis; local workforce development areas administer the program and receive 3-5% of allocated funds for administrative costs.

Requires annual reporting to the Governor, Legislature, and relevant committees detailing fund distribution, student participation numbers, and employment outcomes; program takes effect July 1, 2025.