2026 SESSION
INTRODUCED
26103135D
HOUSE BILL NO. 180
Offered January 14, 2026
Prefiled January 7, 2026
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 22.1 an article numbered 6.1, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-253.01, 22.1-253.02, and 22.1-253.03, relating to Work-Based Learning Coordinator Pilot Program established.
—————
Patrons—Anthony, Clark, Cole, J.G., Cole, N.T., Henson, LeVere Bolling and Schmidt
—————
Referred to Committee on Education
—————
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 22.1 an article numbered 6.1, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-253.01, 22.1-253.02, and 22.1-253.03, as follows:
Article 6.1.
Work-Based Learning Coordinator Pilot Program.
§ 22.1-253.01. Definitions; establishment of the Pilot Program; selection of participating school divisions.
A. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Coordinator" means an individual employed by, or contracted with, a participating school division or a consortium of participating school divisions to develop, manage, and support high-quality work-based learning experiences for students in accordance with Board regulations and the Career and Technical Education High-Quality Work-Based Learning Guide adopted by the Board.
"Employer partner" means any public or private employer, nonprofit organization, institution of higher education, or agency that enters into a written agreement with a participating school division to provide work-based learning experiences to students.
"Participating school division" means any school division or consortium of school divisions selected by the Department to participate in the Pilot Program established pursuant to this article.
"Pilot Program" means the Work-Based Learning Coordinator Pilot Program.
"Work-based learning" means a sequence of instructional strategies, aligned with a student's program of study, that occurs in the workplace or simulates workplace environments and is consistent with state and federal labor laws, Board regulations, and the Board's Career and Technical Education High-Quality Work-Based Learning Guide, with priority given to paid experiences when feasible. "Work-based learning" includes paid or unpaid internships, cooperative education, clinical experiences, youth-registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, externships, job shadowing, and school-based enterprises.
B. The Work-Based Learning Coordinator Pilot Program is hereby established for the purpose of expanding equitable access to high-quality work-based learning experiences for public school students. The Board shall adopt regulations for and the Department shall administer the Pilot Program.
C. The Department shall select no fewer than 12 and no more than 24 participating school divisions for the Pilot Program. In selecting participants, the Department shall consider, at a minimum:
1. Enrollment and student demographics, including the percentage of economically disadvantaged students;
2. Current access to high-quality work-based learning experiences in the school division;
3. Regional workforce needs and alignment with local and regional economic development priorities;
4. Demonstrated need for dedicated work-based learning coordination; and
5. Geographic diversity of pilot sites.
D. Each participating school division shall employ or contract with at least one coordinator. Consortia may share coordinators, provided that the responsibilities established under this article are met.
§ 22.1-253.02. Duties of coordinators; agreements; student access; data collection and reporting.
A. Each coordinator shall perform duties that include:
1. Developing and sustaining partnerships with employer partners that align with state and regional workforce needs and students' programs of study;
2. Executing written work-based learning agreements with employer partners using templates developed by the Department, which shall address:
a. Student duties and supervision;
b. Paid or unpaid status and any wages to be paid;
c. Required safety training;
d. Compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.), Chapter 5 (§ 40.1-78 et seq.) of Title 40.1, and applicable Board regulations;
e. Liability, workers' compensation, and insurance requirements; and
f. Any required background checks;
3. Matching students to work-based learning experiences based on program of study, career interest, and readiness and ensuring appropriate orientation and onboarding;
4. Coordinating with career and technical education staff, school counselors, English language learner and special education personnel, and workforce partners to support student progression through work-based learning experiences;
5. Facilitating reasonable supports necessary to ensure equitable access for students, which may include transportation, personal protective equipment, or job-related accommodations;
6. Assisting employer partners in providing high-quality instruction, supervision, and evaluation for students consistent with Board guidance; and
7. Ensuring compliance with state and federal labor, safety, and privacy requirements.
B. Each participating school division shall collect and report, (i) in a format and by a deadline established by the Department, utilizing existing student information systems and state work-based learning reporting tools to the extent practicable, and (ii) disaggregated by student subgroup based on gender, race, family income, special education status, English language learner status, and gifted status, the following data:
1. Number of students participating in each work-based learning experience;
2. Total hours completed, disaggregated by paid and unpaid experiences;
3. Wages paid, if applicable;
4. Industry credentials earned; and
5. Student placement in employment, postsecondary education, youth apprenticeship or apprenticeship, or military service within 12 months of graduation, when available.
§ 22.1-253.03. Administration and funding of the Pilot Program; report.
A. The Department shall administer the Pilot Program and shall, no later than January 1, 2027, publish:
1. A model memorandum of understanding and employer partner agreement template;
2. A compliance checklist for work-based learning placements;
3. A data dictionary and standardized reporting requirements for participating school divisions; and
4. Guidance on allowable uses of funds.
B. With such funds as may be appropriated for such purpose pursuant to the general appropriation act, the Department shall award grants to participating school divisions to support the implementation of the Pilot Program. Grants may be based on a competitive process, a base-plus-need formula, or a combination thereof. Allowable uses of funds shall include:
1. Salary, wages, and benefits for coordinators;
2. Background checks and onboarding costs for participating students;
3. Transportation supports;
4. Personal protective equipment and required materials;
5. Work-based learning management software; and
6. Professional development aligned with the Board's Career and Technical Education High-Quality Work-Based Learning Guide.
C. No participating school division shall be required to provide a local match in the first year of the Pilot Program. Any local match required in subsequent years shall not exceed 25 percent of total grant funds awarded. Grant funds shall not be used to supplant existing local or state funds for work-based learning coordination.
D. No later than November 1 of each year of the Pilot Program, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. Such report shall include:
1. Student participation and outcome data;
2. Employer partner participation and satisfaction;
3. Implementation challenges and best practices;
4. Evaluation of equity of access; and
5. A recommendation to continue, expand, modify, or discontinue the Pilot Program, including estimated costs for expansion, if recommended.
2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2029.