Virginia SB 737: Nondegree workforce training programs; accreditation.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105262D

SENATE BILL NO. 737

Offered January 16, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2037 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 20.2 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 5, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2058 through 2.2-2064, relating to Department of Workforce Development and Advancement; accreditation of nondegree workforce training programs.

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Patron—Diggs

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Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 2.2-2037 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 20.2 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 5, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2058 through 2.2-2064, as follows:

§ 2.2-2037. Powers and duties of Department.

The Department shall have the power and duty to:

1. Promulgate regulations necessary or incidental to the performance of duties or execution of powers conferred under this chapter.

2. Establish a mission, goals, and objectives for the Department that align with the purpose of this chapter, to create a unified system of workforce development for the Commonwealth.

3. Develop a strategy that shall inform and engage with the business and organized labor communities to coordinate the workforce development programs offered by the Department, identify labor market needs, and ensure alignment of the Department's offerings to the needs of employers and the needs of the Commonwealth.

4. Jointly with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia develop and implement strategies, and collaborate with employers and higher education institutions, to grow and expand the Innovative Internship Program established pursuant to § 23.1-903.4. The strategy shall include key measures of success and they shall jointly develop an annual progress report that shall include information on the number of students placed in internship programs, type of internship programs, and the number and type of participating employers. The report shall be delivered to the General Assembly, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Labor annually by September 30.

5. Regularly track metrics relating to workforce development programs and establish a mechanism to help assess the adequacy of Department services and programs.

6. Develop specific strategies or steps the Department will take to modify policies, procedures, or processes to ensure effective and efficient administration of workforce development programs.

7. Develop a strategy for clearly communicating to customers changes to key workforce development programs.

8. Develop a strategy for clearly communicating important workforce development program information to Department staff, the public, and the General Assembly.

9. Identify other tactical actions to be taken to ensure the continuity of workforce development programs and customer service.

10. Establish an accreditation pathway for nondegree workforce training programs in accordance with Article 5 (§ 2.2-2058 et seq.).

Article 5.

Accreditation of Nondegree Workforce Training Programs.

§ 2.2-2058. Definitions.

A. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Employer-verified on-the-job learning" means documented workplace training with supervisor confirmation of tasks and hours.

"Nondegree workforce training program" means an open-to-the-public course or program that does not award an academic degree and prepares individuals for an occupation identified within the framework of the O*NET occupational information.

"O*NET" means the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network, a federal occupational information system organized by standard occupational classification codes and used as a reference framework for curriculum, task, and performance expectations.

"Recognized third-party performance body" means an independent organization that verifies performance standards meeting criteria set by the Department.

§ 2.2-2059. Accreditation of nondegree workforce training programs.

A. The Department shall establish an accreditation pathway for nondegree workforce training programs in order to align the skills of the Commonwealth's workforce with the needs of industry in the Commonwealth and to provide a workforce entrance pathway for underserved populations in the Commonwealth. 

B. The Department shall accredit nondegree workforce training programs that meet the requirements of this article and Department regulations.

C. The Department shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this article.

§ 2.2-2060. Scope of article.

A. Accreditation under this article shall confer eligibility for state workforce recognition and funding alignment in accordance with the provisions of § 2.2-2064 and shall satisfy any overlapping nondegree criteria for programs administered by another state agency.

B. Accreditation under this article shall