AB 323: Strong Workforce Program: work-based learning opportunities.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes the Strong Workforce Program to provide funding to career technical education regional consortia made up of community college districts and local educational agencies, as specified. Existing law requires the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to, no later than June 30, 2017, bring before the board of governors any policies, regulations, and guidance necessary to accomplish, among other things, providing work-based learning opportunities for students that increase their employability and earning potential, as provided. Existing law requires a percentage of the funds apportioned for community colleges under the program to be apportioned directly to community college districts in the consortia to fund, among other things, student grants to cover fees for third-party certification and licensing.

This bill would require the chancellor’s office to revise, no later than June 30, 2026, the above-described policies, regulations, and guidance necessary to provide students, employers, or both, with paid work-based learning opportunities, as provided. The bill would authorize a community college district to also use those funds apportioned directly to community college districts to provide direct support to students, employers, or both, for paid work-based learning to increase employability and employment, as provided.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 3, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 255, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 3, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 11, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. September 4, 2025In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
5. September 4, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2520.).
6. September 2, 2025Ordered to special consent calendar.
7. August 29, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. August 29, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
9. July 7, 2025In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
10. June 25, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
11. June 11, 2025Referred to Com. on ED.
12. May 29, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.