Sec. 23.5. (a) The department shall establish a career coaching pilot program to award grants to school corporations to establish career coaching programs for students of the school corporation.

     (b) The department shall do the following:

(1) Establish requirements for participation in the pilot program.

(2) Select school corporations to participate in the pilot program.

(3) Determine the amount of and award grants to school corporations under the pilot program.

(4) Collect information regarding the career coaching programs implemented by the school corporations participating in the pilot program.

(5) Collect information from the following individuals or entities participating in the career coaching pilot program:

(A) Counselors.

(B) Third party vendors.

(C) Any other appropriate individuals or entities, as determined by the department.

     (c) The department shall require that career coaching programs implemented by a school corporation use:

(1) a counselor employed by the school corporation;

(2) a third party vendor that provides career coaching services; or

(3) both counselors and third party vendors.

However, at least one (1) school corporation shall use a third party vendor that provides career coaching services, instead of or in addition to a counselor employed by a school corporation, in the school corporation’s career coaching program.

     (d) Not later than November 1, 2022, and not later than November 1 each year thereafter, the department shall prepare and submit to the legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 a report that provides information concerning the pilot program.

     (e) This section expires July 1, 2025.

As added by P.L.130-2022, SEC.1.