2025 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

25104896D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2590

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Education

on January 22, 2025)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Cole)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-204.3, relating to Virginia Student Training Employment Pipeline for U.S. Procurement (STEP UP) Grant Program established.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-204.3 as follows:

§ 22.1-204.3. Virginia Student Training Employment Pipeline for U.S. Procurement (STEP UP) Grant Program established.

With such funds as may be appropriated or otherwise made available for such purpose, the Department, in collaboration with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, shall establish and administer the Virginia Student Training Employment Pipeline for U.S. Procurement (STEP UP) Grant Program (the Program) for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to any student enrolled in the eleventh or twelfth grade at a public high school in the Commonwealth or enrolled at a comprehensive community college or historically black college or university in the Commonwealth who enters into an agreement with an entity located in the relevant local school division or region that has a procurement contract with the federal government whereby such entity agrees to provide assistance to the student to obtain, prior to graduation, any federal security clearance at the public trust or national security level and any other education, training, or credential that is necessary for the student to be prepared for employment with such entity upon graduation in exchange for a commitment from the student to accept and remain in such an employment position for an agreed-upon period of time after graduation. The Department, in consultation with the Virginia Community College System and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, shall establish such rules, policies, processes, and procedures as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Program, including application and award criteria and timelines. In awarding grants pursuant to the Program, the Department shall give priority to students from middle-income or low-income families.