Appropriation; Office of Workforce Development for supporting and expanding the career coaching program for schools.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so there is no information on how many schools will participate or what services will be offered.

Career Coaching Program Funding

This bill provides funding for the Office of Workforce Development to support and expand a career coaching program in middle schools and high schools.

What This Bill Does

• Provides $20 million from the State General Fund to the Office of Workforce Development.
• Uses the Department of Employment Security as the fiscal agent to manage the funds.
• Supports and expands an existing career coaching program for students in grades 6 through 12.

Who It Names or Affects

• Middle school and high school students who will receive career coaching services.
• Schools that participate in the career coaching program.
• The Office of Workforce Development which manages the program.
• The Department of Employment Security as the fiscal agent for managing funds.

Terms To Know

Fiscal Agent

An organization responsible for handling and managing financial transactions on behalf of another entity, in this case, the Office of Workforce Development.

Career Coaching Program

A program designed to help students explore career options and plan their future education and work paths.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass in its session, so the funding was not approved.
• It is unclear how many schools will participate or what specific services will be offered under the expanded program.

Official Summary Text

Appropriation; Office of Workforce Development for supporting and expanding the career coaching program for schools.

Current Bill Text

H. B. No. 332 *HR43/R878* ~ OFFICIAL ~ A1/2
26/HR43/R878
PAGE 1 (ENK\KP)

To: Appropriations A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Bell (21st)

HOUSE BILL NO. 332

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE 1
DEVELOPMENT, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY SERVING AS 2
FISCAL AGENT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING AND EXPANDING THE 3
CAREER COACHING PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS FOR 4
THE FISCAL YEAR 2027. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much of it as may be 7
necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General 8
Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Office of Workforce 9
Development, with the Department of Employment Security serving as 10
fiscal agent, for the purpose of supporting and expanding the 11
career coaching program for middle schools and high schools, as 12
created in Section 37-73-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the 13
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027 14
................................................... $ 20,000,000.00 15
SECTION 2. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid 16
by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund 17
not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State 18
Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his or 19
H. B. No. 332 *HR43/R878* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R878
PAGE 2 (ENK\KP)
ST: Appropriation; Office of Workforce
Development for supporting and expanding the
career coaching program for schools.
her warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, 20
officer or officers in the manner provided by law. 21
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 22
and after July 1, 2026. 23