Connecticut 2024 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05363 Compare Versions

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Version 2 (New)

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	7	+	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5363
	8	+	February Session, 2024
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3	11
4		-	Substitute House Bill No. 5363
5		-
6		-	Public Act No. 24-125
7		-
8		-
9		-	AN ACT CONCERNING THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR
10		-	HIGHER EDUCATION.
	12	+	AN ACT CONCERNING THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR HIGHER
	13	+	EDUCATION.
11	14		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
12	15		Assembly convened:
13	16
14		-	Section 1. Section 10a-11b of the 2024 supplement to the general
15		-	statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
16		-	(Effective from passage):
17		-	(a) There is established a Planning Commission for Higher Education
18		-	to develop and ensure the implementation of a higher education
19		-	strategic master plan in Connecticut.
20		-	(1) The commission shall consist of the following voting members:
21		-	(A) The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, the
22		-	president of The University of Connecticut, or their designees from the
23		-	Board of Regents for Higher Education and Board of Trustees; (B) the
24		-	provost of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and the
25		-	provost of The University of Connecticut; (C) the [chair] chairperson of
26		-	the Board of Regents for [the Connecticut State Colleges and
27		-	Universities] Higher Education, and the Board of Trustees for The
28		-	University of Connecticut, or the chairs' designees; (D) the president,
29		-	provost or chair of the board of a large independent institution of higher
30		-	education in the state, to be selected by the president pro tempore of the Substitute House Bill No. 5363
	17	+	Section 1. Section 10a-11b of the 2024 supplement to the general 1
	18	+	statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 2
	19	+	(Effective from passage): 3
	20	+	(a) There is established a Planning Commission for Higher Education 4
	21	+	to develop and ensure the implementation of a higher education 5
	22	+	strategic master plan in Connecticut. 6
	23	+	(1) The commission shall consist of the following voting members: 7
	24	+	(A) The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, the 8
	25	+	president of The University of Connecticut, or their designees from the 9
	26	+	Board of Regents for Higher Education and Board of Trustees; (B) the 10
	27	+	provost of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and the 11
	28	+	provost of The University of Connecticut; (C) the [chair] chairperson of 12
	29	+	the Board of Regents for [the Connecticut State Colleges and 13
	30	+	Universities] Higher Education, and the Board of Trustees for The 14
	31	+	University of Connecticut, or the chairs' designees; (D) the president, 15
	32	+	provost or chair of the board of a large independent institution of higher 16
	33	+	education in the state, to be selected by the president pro tempore of the 17
	34	+	Senate; (E) the president, provost or chair of the board of a small 18
	35	+	independent institution of higher education in the state, to be selected 19 Substitute Bill No. 5363
31	36
32		-	Public Act No. 24-125 2 of 8
33	37
34		-	Senate; (E) the president, provost or chair of the board of a small
35		-	independent institution of higher education in the state, to be selected
36		-	by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (F) a representative from
37		-	a private career school, to be selected by the executive director of the
38		-	Office of Higher Education; (G) a teaching faculty representative from
39		-	the Connecticut State [Universities] University System, to be selected by
40		-	the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; (H) a
41		-	teaching faculty representative from the regional community-technical
42		-	colleges, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut State Colleges
43		-	and Universities; (I) a teaching faculty representative from The
44		-	University of Connecticut, to be selected by the president of The
45		-	University of Connecticut; (J) a teaching faculty representative from a
46		-	private career school in the state, to be selected by the executive director
47		-	of the Office of Higher Education; (K) one member appointed by the
48		-	president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a
49		-	large manufacturing employer in the state; (L) one member appointed
50		-	by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a
51		-	representative of a large financial or insurance services employer in the
52		-	state; (M) one member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate,
53		-	who shall be a representative of an information technology or digital
54		-	media employer in the state; (N) one member appointed by the minority
55		-	leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a small business
56		-	employer in the state; (O) one member appointed by the majority leader
57		-	of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a
58		-	health care employer in the state; [and] (P) one member appointed by
59		-	the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a
60		-	representative of a small business employer in the state; and (Q) the
61		-	chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of
62		-	the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher
63		-	education and employment advancement . The commission
64		-	membership shall, where feasible, reflect the state's geographic, racial
65		-	and ethnic diversity. Substitute House Bill No. 5363
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	42	+	by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (F) a representative from 20
	43	+	a private career school, to be selected by the executive director of the 21
	44	+	Office of Higher Education; (G) a teaching faculty representative from 22
	45	+	the Connecticut State [Universities] University System, to be selected by 23
	46	+	the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; (H) a 24
	47	+	teaching faculty representative from the regional community-technical 25
	48	+	colleges, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut State Colleges 26
	49	+	and Universities; (I) a teaching faculty representative from The 27
	50	+	University of Connecticut, to be selected by the president of The 28
	51	+	University of Connecticut; (J) a teaching faculty representative from a 29
	52	+	private career school in the state, to be selected by the executive director 30
	53	+	of the Office of Higher Education; (K) one member appointed by the 31
	54	+	president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a 32
	55	+	large manufacturing employer in the state; (L) one member appointed 33
	56	+	by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a 34
	57	+	representative of a large financial or insurance services employer in the 35
	58	+	state; (M) one member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, 36
	59	+	who shall be a representative of an information technology or digital 37
	60	+	media employer in the state; (N) one member appointed by the minority 38
	61	+	leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a small business 39
	62	+	employer in the state; (O) one member appointed by the majority leader 40
	63	+	of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a 41
	64	+	health care employer in the state; and (P) one member appointed by the 42
	65	+	minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a 43
	66	+	representative of a small business employer in the state. The 44
	67	+	commission membership shall, where feasible, reflect the state's 45
	68	+	geographic, racial and ethnic diversity. 46
	69	+	(2) The following persons shall serve as ex-officio nonvoting 47
	70	+	members on the commission: (A) The Commissioner of Education, the 48
	71	+	Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the 49
	72	+	Labor Commissioner, or their designees; (B) a representative of an 50
	73	+	association of the state's independent institutions of higher education, 51
	74	+	appointed by the Governor; (C) a member of the State Board of 52
	75	+	Education, as designated by the chairperson of the state board; (D) the 53 Substitute Bill No. 5363
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69		-	(2) The following persons shall serve as ex-officio nonvoting
70		-	members on the commission: (A) The Commissioner of Education, the
71		-	Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the
72		-	Labor Commissioner, or their designees; (B) a representative of an
73		-	association of the state's independent institutions of higher education,
74		-	appointed by the Governor; (C) a member of the State Board of
75		-	Education, as designated by the chairperson of the state board; (D) the
76		-	superintendent of the technical high school system, or the
77		-	superintendent's designee; (E) the chief executive officer of Connecticut
78		-	Innovations, Incorporated, or the chief executive officer's designee; (F)
79		-	the executive director of the Office of Higher Education; (G) the
80		-	[chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of
81		-	the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher
82		-	education and employment advancement;(H) the] Secretary of the
83		-	Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee; and [(I)]
84		-	(H) the Chief Workforce Officer.
85		-	(3) All initial appointments to the commission shall be made not later
86		-	than June 1, 2024. The Governor, president pro tempore of the Senate
87		-	and speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint [the] a
88		-	chairperson from among the commission's voting members. [The
89		-	commission shall elect a vice-chairperson at its first meeting.] Such
90		-	chairpersons shall jointly schedule the first meeting of the commission,
91		-	which shall be held not later than July 1, 2024. Any vacancies shall be
92		-	filled by the appointing authority. The term of each appointed member
93		-	of the commission shall be three years from the date of appointment,
94		-	except a member shall continue to serve until such member's successor
95		-	is appointed. A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum
96		-	for the transaction of business. The commission members shall serve
97		-	without compensation.
98		-	(4) The commission may (A) seek the advice and participation of any
99		-	person, organization or state or federal agency it deems necessary to Substitute House Bill No. 5363
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103		-	carry out the provisions of this section, [. The commission may,] (B)
104		-	within available appropriations, retain consultants to assist in carrying
105		-	out its duties, [. The commission may] and (C) receive funds from any
106		-	public or private sources to carry out its activities.
107		-	(5) The [commission shall be within the Office of Higher Education
108		-	and shall be responsible for implementing any policies developed by the
109		-	commission] administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
110		-	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher
111		-	education and employment advancement shall serve as the
112		-	administrative staff of the commission.
113		-	(b) The commission shall revise and update the higher education
114		-	strategic master plan adopted in 2015. Such revised strategic master
115		-	plan shall:
116		-	(1) Examine the impact of demographic, workforce and education
117		-	trends on higher education in the state;
118		-	(2) (A) Assess progress toward the numerical goals established for
119		-	the years 2020 and 2025 under the strategic master plan adopted in 2015
120		-	and revise or establish numerical goals for the years [2025] 2026 and
121		-	2030 to (i) increase the number of people earning a bachelor's degree,
122		-	associate degree or certificate, (ii) increase the number of people
123		-	successfully completing coursework at the community college level and
124		-	the number of people entering the state's workforce, and (iii) eliminate
125		-	the postsecondary achievement gap between minority students and the
126		-	general student population, and (B) include specific strategies for
127		-	meeting such goals, as well as strategies for meeting the goals pursuant
128		-	to subsection (b) of section 10a-6 and section 10a-11c;
129		-	(3) Examine and recommend changes to funding policies, practices
130		-	and accountability in order to (A) align policies and practices with the
131		-	goals set forth in subsection (b) of section 10a-6 and section 10a-11c; (B) Substitute House Bill No. 5363
	82	+	superintendent of the technical high school system, or the 54
	83	+	superintendent's designee; (E) the chief executive officer of Connecticut 55
	84	+	Innovations, Incorporated, or the chief executive officer's designee; (F) 56
	85	+	the executive director of the Office of Higher Education; (G) the 57
	86	+	chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of 58
	87	+	the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher 59
	88	+	education and employment advancement; (H) the Secretary of the 60
	89	+	Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee; and (I) the 61
	90	+	Chief Workforce Officer. 62
	91	+	(3) All initial appointments to the commission shall be made not later 63
	92	+	than June 1, 2024. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson from 64
	93	+	among the commission's voting members. If an appointment under 65
	94	+	subdivision (1) of this subsection is not made by said date, the 66
	95	+	chairperson may designate an individual with the required qualification 67
	96	+	stated for the applicable appointment to serve on the commission. Such 68
	97	+	chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the commission, which 69
	98	+	shall be held not later than July 1, 2024. The commission shall elect a 70
	99	+	vice-chairperson at its first meeting. Any vacancies shall be filled by the 71
	100	+	appointing authority. The term of each appointed member of the 72
	101	+	commission shall be three years from the date of appointment, except a 73
	102	+	member shall continue to serve until such member's successor is 74
	103	+	appointed. A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for 75
	104	+	the transaction of business. The commission members shall serve 76
	105	+	without compensation. 77
	106	+	(4) The commission may (A) seek the advice and participation of any 78
	107	+	person, organization or state or federal agency it deems necessary to 79
	108	+	carry out the provisions of this section, [. The commission may,] (B) 80
	109	+	within available appropriations, retain consultants to assist in carrying 81
	110	+	out its duties, [. The commission may] and (C) receive funds from any 82
	111	+	public or private sources to carry out its activities. 83
	112	+	(5) The [commission shall be within the Office of Higher Education 84
	113	+	and shall be responsible for implementing any policies developed by the 85
	114	+	commission] administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 86 Substitute Bill No. 5363
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135		-	determine how the constituent units shall annually report to the General
136		-	Assembly and the public in a transparent and thorough manner
137		-	regarding each constituent unit's expenditures, staffing and state
138		-	support, including the state appropriation, personnel expenses,
139		-	personnel fringe benefits, capital improvement bonds and financial aid
140		-	to students; and (C) improve coordination of appropriation, tuition and
141		-	financial aid and seek ways to maximize funding through federal and
142		-	private grants to accomplish state goals; and
143		-	(4) Recommend ways in which each constituent unit of the state
144		-	system of higher education and independent institution of higher
145		-	education in the state can, in a manner consistent with such institution's
146		-	mission, expand such institution's role in advancing the state's economic
147		-	growth.
148		-	(c) In updating the higher education strategic master plan, the
149		-	commission shall review the plan developed pursuant to section 10a-6.
150		-	In addition, the commission may consider the following: (1)
151		-	Establishing incentives for institutional performance and productivity;
152		-	(2) increasing financial aid, especially in workforce shortage areas and
153		-	for minority and first-generation students; (3) expanding dual credit
154		-	and career pathway opportunities in high schools and aligning such
155		-	opportunities with institutions of higher education; (4) promoting
156		-	partnerships with the business community and institutions of higher
157		-	education to expand work-based learning opportunities for students
158		-	and retraining and development opportunities for employees; (5)
159		-	establishing collaborative partnerships between public high schools,
160		-	community organizations and institutions of higher education to
161		-	expand college access for underserved and first-generation students; (6)
162		-	assessing and promoting programs in high school to assist high school
163		-	students seeking a college track or alternative pathways for post-
164		-	secondary education, such as vocational and technical opportunities; (7)
165		-	developing policies to promote and measure retention and graduation Substitute House Bill No. 5363
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	121	+	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher 87
	122	+	education and employment advancement shall serve as the 88
	123	+	administrative staff of the commission. 89
	124	+	(b) The commission shall revise and update the higher education 90
	125	+	strategic master plan adopted in 2015. Such revised strategic master 91
	126	+	plan shall: 92
	127	+	(1) Examine the impact of demographic, workforce and education 93
	128	+	trends on higher education in the state; 94
	129	+	(2) (A) Assess progress toward the numerical goals established for 95
	130	+	the years 2020 and 2025 under the strategic master plan adopted in 2015 96
	131	+	and revise or establish numerical goals for the years [2025] 2026 and 97
	132	+	2030 to (i) increase the number of people earning a bachelor's degree, 98
	133	+	associate degree or certificate, (ii) increase the number of people 99
	134	+	successfully completing coursework at the community college level and 100
	135	+	the number of people entering the state's workforce, and (iii) eliminate 101
	136	+	the postsecondary achievement gap between minority students and the 102
	137	+	general student population, and (B) include specific strategies for 103
	138	+	meeting such goals, as well as strategies for meeting the goals pursuant 104
	139	+	to subsection (b) of section 10a-6 and section 10a-11c; 105
	140	+	(3) Examine and recommend changes to funding policies, practices 106
	141	+	and accountability in order to (A) align policies and practices with the 107
	142	+	goals set forth in subsection (b) of section 10a-6 and section 10a-11c; (B) 108
	143	+	determine how the constituent units shall annually report to the General 109
	144	+	Assembly and the public in a transparent and thorough manner 110
	145	+	regarding each constituent unit's expenditures, staffing and state 111
	146	+	support, including the state appropriation, personnel expenses, 112
	147	+	personnel fringe benefits, capital improvement bonds and financial aid 113
	148	+	to students; and (C) improve coordination of appropriation, tuition and 114
	149	+	financial aid and seek ways to maximize funding through federal and 115
	150	+	private grants to accomplish state goals; and 116
	151	+	(4) Recommend ways in which each constituent unit of the state 117 Substitute Bill No. 5363
168	152
169		-	rates of students, including graduation rates for students who have
170		-	transferred among two or more constituent units or public institutions
171		-	of higher education; (8) developing policies to promote [Transfer]
172		-	transfer and [Articulation] articulation programs and the Connecticut
173		-	Automatic Admissions [program] Program state wide; (9) addressing
174		-	the educational needs of minority, underserved and first-generation
175		-	students and nontraditional students, including, but not limited to, part-
176		-	time students, incumbent workers, adult learners, former inmates and
177		-	immigrants, in order to increase enrollment and retention in institutions
178		-	of higher education; (10) addressing the affordability of tuition at
179		-	institutions of higher education and the issue of increased student
180		-	indebtedness; and (11) developing policies to award credits for prior
181		-	learning and experience.
182		-	(d) Not later than September 1, [2024] 2025, the commission shall
183		-	submit a preliminary report on the development of the update of the
184		-	higher education strategic master plan and, not later than December 1,
185		-	[2024] 2025, the commission shall submit the higher education strategic
186		-	master plan, including specific goals and benchmarks for the years
187		-	ending [2025] 2026 and 2030, together with any recommendations for
188		-	appropriate legislation and funding to the Governor and the joint
189		-	standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
190		-	matters relating to higher education and employment advancement,
191		-	education, commerce, labor and appropriations and the budgets of state
192		-	agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.
193		-	(e) Not later than January 1, [2026] 2027, and annually thereafter, the
194		-	commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing
195		-	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
196		-	relating to higher education and employment advancement, education,
197		-	commerce, labor and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies,
198		-	in accordance with section 11-4a, on the implementation of the plan and
199		-	progress made toward achieving the goals specified in the plan. The Substitute House Bill No. 5363
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203		-	commission may periodically suggest changes to the goals as necessary.
204		-	(f) [Not later than January 1, 2018, for] For purposes of implementing
205		-	the higher education strategic master plan pursuant to subsection (b) of
206		-	this section, the commission [, in collaboration with the Office of Policy
207		-	and Management,] shall establish two standing subcommittees and may
208		-	establish any working groups necessary to supplement the work of the
209		-	subcommittees or work. The [chairperson and vice-chairperson]
210		-	chairpersons of the commission shall jointly appoint the members of the
211		-	standing subcommittees and working groups, and may appoint
212		-	members to such standing subcommittees and working groups who are
213		-	not members of the commission.
214		-	(1) One standing subcommittee shall focus on data, metrics and
215		-	accountability, and build upon the work of the Preschool through 20
216		-	and Workforce Information Network in its measures and data. Such
217		-	measures shall be used to assess the progress of each public institution
218		-	of higher education toward meeting the commission's goals. The
219		-	subcommittee shall collaborate with the Labor Department to (A)
220		-	produce periodic reports, capable of being sorted by student age, on the
221		-	employment status, job retention and earnings of students enrolled in
222		-	academic and noncredit vocational courses and programs, both prior to
223		-	enrollment and after completion of such courses and programs, who
224		-	leave the constituent units upon graduation or otherwise, and (B)
225		-	develop an annual affordability index for public higher education that
226		-	is based on state-wide median family income. The subcommittee shall
227		-	submit annual reports to the commission and the constituent units.
228		-	(2) One standing subcommittee shall focus on the higher education
229		-	strategic master plan, analyzing the plans submitted since 2014 and
230		-	making recommendations to the commission on key areas. The
231		-	commission may recommend key areas of focus each year and require
232		-	the standing subcommittee to report to the commission on such key
233		-	areas. Substitute House Bill No. 5363
	158	+	system of higher education and independent institution of higher 118
	159	+	education in the state can, in a manner consistent with such institution's 119
	160	+	mission, expand such institution's role in advancing the state's economic 120
	161	+	growth. 121
	162	+	(c) In updating the higher education strategic master plan, the 122
	163	+	commission shall review the plan developed pursuant to section 10a-6. 123
	164	+	In addition, the commission may consider the following: (1) 124
	165	+	Establishing incentives for institutional performance and productivity; 125
	166	+	(2) increasing financial aid, especially in workforce shortage areas and 126
	167	+	for minority and first-generation students; (3) expanding dual credit 127
	168	+	and career pathway opportunities in high schools and aligning such 128
	169	+	opportunities with institutions of higher education; (4) promoting 129
	170	+	partnerships with the business community and institutions of higher 130
	171	+	education to expand work-based learning opportunities for students 131
	172	+	and retraining and development opportunities for employees; (5) 132
	173	+	establishing collaborative partnerships between public high schools, 133
	174	+	community organizations and institutions of higher education to 134
	175	+	expand college access for underserved and first-generation students; (6) 135
	176	+	assessing and promoting programs in high school to assist high school 136
	177	+	students seeking a college track or alternative pathways for post-137
	178	+	secondary education, such as vocational and technical opportunities; (7) 138
	179	+	developing policies to promote and measure retention and graduation 139
	180	+	rates of students, including graduation rates for students who have 140
	181	+	transferred among two or more constituent units or public institutions 141
	182	+	of higher education; (8) developing policies to promote [Transfer] 142
	183	+	transfer and [Articulation] articulation programs and the Connecticut 143
	184	+	Automatic Admissions [program] Program state wide; (9) addressing 144
	185	+	the educational needs of minority, underserved and first-generation 145
	186	+	students and nontraditional students, including, but not limited to, part-146
	187	+	time students, incumbent workers, adult learners, former inmates and 147
	188	+	immigrants, in order to increase enrollment and retention in institutions 148
	189	+	of higher education; (10) addressing the affordability of tuition at 149
	190	+	institutions of higher education and the issue of increased student 150
	191	+	indebtedness; and (11) developing policies to award credits for prior 151 Substitute Bill No. 5363
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236	193
237		-	(g) The commission may appoint advisory committees with
238		-	representatives from public and independent institutions of higher
239		-	education to study methods and proposals for coordinating efforts of
240		-	the public institutions of higher education and the independent
241		-	institutions of higher education to implement the goals identified in
242		-	section 10a-11c.
243		-	(h) The commission may review its goals and plans and determine
244		-	how best to align its work with the work of the Higher Education
245		-	Innovation and Entrepreneurship Working Group and the Higher
246		-	Education Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, established
247		-	pursuant to sections 32-39s and 32-39t.
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	198	+	learning and experience. 152
	199	+	(d) Not later than September 1, [2024] 2025, the commission shall 153
	200	+	submit a preliminary report on the development of the update of the 154
	201	+	higher education strategic master plan and, not later than December 1, 155
	202	+	[2024] 2025, the commission shall submit the higher education strategic 156
	203	+	master plan, including specific goals and benchmarks for the years 157
	204	+	ending [2025] 2026 and 2030, together with any recommendations for 158
	205	+	appropriate legislation and funding to the Governor and the joint 159
	206	+	standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of 160
	207	+	matters relating to higher education and employment advancement, 161
	208	+	education, commerce, labor and appropriations and the budgets of state 162
	209	+	agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. 163
	210	+	(e) Not later than January 1, [2026] 2027, and annually thereafter, the 164
	211	+	commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing 165
	212	+	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 166
	213	+	relating to higher education and employment advancement, education, 167
	214	+	commerce, labor and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, 168
	215	+	in accordance with section 11-4a, on the implementation of the plan and 169
	216	+	progress made toward achieving the goals specified in the plan. The 170
	217	+	commission may periodically suggest changes to the goals as necessary. 171
	218	+	(f) [Not later than January 1, 2018, for] For purposes of implementing 172
	219	+	the higher education strategic master plan pursuant to subsection (b) of 173
	220	+	this section, the commission [, in collaboration with the Office of Policy 174
	221	+	and Management,] shall establish two standing subcommittees and may 175
	222	+	establish any working groups necessary to supplement the work of the 176
	223	+	subcommittees or work. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the 177
	224	+	commission shall appoint the members of the standing subcommittees 178
	225	+	and working groups, and may appoint members to such standing 179
	226	+	subcommittees and working groups who are not members of the 180
	227	+	commission. 181
	228	+	(1) One standing subcommittee shall focus on data, metrics and 182
	229	+	accountability, and build upon the work of the Preschool through 20 183 Substitute Bill No. 5363
	230	+
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	235	+
	236	+	and Workforce Information Network in its measures and data. Such 184
	237	+	measures shall be used to assess the progress of each public institution 185
	238	+	of higher education toward meeting the commission's goals. The 186
	239	+	subcommittee shall collaborate with the Labor Department to (A) 187
	240	+	produce periodic reports, capable of being sorted by student age, on the 188
	241	+	employment status, job retention and earnings of students enrolled in 189
	242	+	academic and noncredit vocational courses and programs, both prior to 190
	243	+	enrollment and after completion of such courses and programs, who 191
	244	+	leave the constituent units upon graduation or otherwise, and (B) 192
	245	+	develop an annual affordability index for public higher education that 193
	246	+	is based on state-wide median family income. The subcommittee shall 194
	247	+	submit annual reports to the commission and the constituent units. 195
	248	+	(2) One standing subcommittee shall focus on the higher education 196
	249	+	strategic master plan, analyzing the plans submitted since 2014 and 197
	250	+	making recommendations to the commission on key areas. The 198
	251	+	commission may recommend key areas of focus each year and require 199
	252	+	the standing subcommittee to report to the commission on such key 200
	253	+	areas. 201
	254	+	(g) The commission may appoint advisory committees with 202
	255	+	representatives from public and independent institutions of higher 203
	256	+	education to study methods and proposals for coordinating efforts of 204
	257	+	the public institutions of higher education and the independent 205
	258	+	institutions of higher education to implement the goals identified in 206
	259	+	section 10a-11c. 207
	260	+	(h) The commission may review its goals and plans and determine 208
	261	+	how best to align its work with the work of the Higher Education 209
	262	+	Innovation and Entrepreneurship Working Group and the Higher 210
	263	+	Education Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, established 211
	264	+	pursuant to sections 32-39s and 32-39t. 212
	265	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	266	+	sections:
	267	+	Substitute Bill No. 5363
	268	+
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	273	+
	274	+	Section 1 from passage 10a-11b
	275	+
	276	+	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
	277	+	In Subsec. (c)(8), "Transfer and Articulation" was changed to "[Transfer]
	278	+	transfer and [Articulation] articulation" and "program" was changed to
	279	+	"[program] Program" for statutory consistency, and, in Subsecs. (d) and
	280	+	(e), "and the budgets of state agencies" was inserted after
	281	+	"appropriations" for accuracy.
	282	+
	283	+	HED Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO
248	284