SB 432 Summary

• Creates "Oklahoma's Career Promise Act" to expand the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program to include postsecondary vocational-technical programs and career certifications at technology center schools and designated higher education institutions.

• Expands eligibility to students pursuing industry certification programs with minimum 900 contact hours or 24 college credit equivalent hours, in addition to traditional associate and baccalaureate degree programs.

• Establishes award structure for career certification programs: 50% of tuition/fees provided during first semester, 40% upon reaching midpoint of program, and final 10% upon completion and industry certification.

• Caps annual Career Promise awards at $10 million on a first-come, first-serve basis and requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to publish a list of critical industry certification areas aligned with state workforce needs.

• Takes effect July 1, 2013, with emergency clause, and requires annual reporting to state leadership on the number and types of certificates awarded under the program.