NMSA 9-25-14. New Mexico workforce training economic support pilot

9-25-14. New Mexico workforce training economic support pilot program; created; administration; eligibility; monetary stipend; rules. A. The "New Mexico workforce training economic support pilot program" is created within the department as a three-year study. The department may use money appropriated to the department to pilot and evaluate the expansion of integrated basic education and skills training programs. The purpose of the pilot program is to: (1) demonstrate that the state can measurably increase access to living wage jobs, thereby meeting the state's needs for jobs in high-demand industries and fields and reducing poverty, increasing financial stability and lowering dependence on government services for participants by providing ongoing economic support through monetary stipends during the period in which those participants are enrolled in and attending certain department-approved workforce training programs; (2) develop and implement eligibility criteria for New Mexico residents to participate in the pilot program. Criteria for consideration should include current income, education and employment status of applicants to the pilot program, and eligibility criteria shall not restrict participants based on immigration status; (3) develop and administer an economic support program to provide participants with ongoing monetary stipends to enable the participants to acquire training and skills necessary to obtain employment, earn a living wage and, in the process of acquiring that training, to prevent income, housing and food insecurity. The stipends provided pursuant to this paragraph should cover the costs associated with basic living needs, including housing, food and transportation, and the costs associated with enrolling in and attending a workforce training program; and (4) identify and approve workforce training programs in the following priority industries or fields: (a) health care, including behavioral health; (b) early childhood education or care; (c) natural resources management; (d) renewable energy; (e) broadband expansion; (f) first responders; (g) construction industries; (h) aerospace; (i) biosciences; (j) cybersecurity; (k) film and television; (l) outdoor recreation; (m)sustainable agriculture; (n) intelligent manufacturing; and (o) global trade. B. The department shall develop, implement and administer the pilot program created in Subsection A of this section and may receive technical assistance from the health care authority department and may collaborate with other state agencies, members of the business community, worker organizations, including trade unions, appropriate nonprofit organizations and community organizations, as deemed appropriate. In developing the pilot program, the department shall: (1) determine eligibility requirements for applicants wishing to participate in the pilot program; provided that eligibility shall require New Mexico residency but shall not be restricted based on immigration status; (2) determine processes, procedures and forms required for application to participate in the pilot program; (3) determine processes and criteria for approval of workforce training programs and for ongoing reviews of those programs; (4) no later than April 1, 2025, determine and recommend to the legislative finance committee participant eligibility requirements and appropriate dollar amounts for monetary stipends depending on factors, including a participant's selected industry or field workforce training program, income and education levels and any other relevant factors deemed appropriate by the department; provided that a monetary stipend shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per month for up to twelve months; (5) no later than April 1, 2025, promulgate and adopt rules for the administration of the pilot program; and (6) by December 1, 2025 and by December 1 of each subsequent calendar year, and in consultation with the health care authority department and any other appropriate state agency, provide a report to the legislative finance committee assessing the impact and outcomes of the pilot program and providing department recommendations. History: Laws 2024, ch. 68, § 2. ARTICLE 26 Workforce Solutions Department